The data science major and minor at Saint Joseph's University prepares students with the theory and skills necessary to analyze and derive insights from large data sets. Students in this program learn techniques from mathematics (particularly statistics) and computer science.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Certificate
The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Certificate prepares students for a career analyzing and interpreting data to create visualizations of society's biggest problems. The certificate curriculum teaches you the technical skills to build GIS models while understanding the context surrounding the field. This certificate is currently only available to current undergraduate students at Saint Joseph's University.
What Sets Our Program Apart
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With a certificate in GIS, you will gain the technical skills and spatial literacy necessary to interpret data in your field of study and in your development as a global citizen and community-engaged learner.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is an emerging technology used across fields such as sociology, public policy and environmental studies to visualize and interpret data with geographical features in order to map, analyze and assess real-world problems. Saint Joseph's Geographical Information Systems Certificate provides students the opportunity to learn GIS in the context of social justice and public policy while learning technical skills in industry-standard GIS software.
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Critical-thinking, ethical decision-making and social justice are not only core values at Saint Joseph's University but also fundamental to the GIS professional community. At Saint Joseph's, you will learn more than just how to make maps and interpret data; you will hone these skills as you gain a deeper understanding of location-based information and how it can be processed by GIS.
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A certification in GIS will give you the opportunity to gain a future-proof skill and provide you with a competitive advantage as you seek meaningful, sustainable employment. With a Geographical Information Systems Certificate, you will think locally and globally as you continue to meet the demands of urgent social challenges and address the most crucial questions of our time.
What Can I Do With a Certificate in Geographical Information Systems?
With a Geographical Information Systems Certificate, you will be prepared to interpret data and visualize information in order to provide strategies and solutions on various issues across industries and sectors, from the state government to healthcare organizations. Students who earn this certificate have gone on to pursue various GIS jobs such as:
- GIS analyst
- Geographer
- Geospatial analyst
- Geographical Information Systems software engineer
- Senior intelligence analyst
- Cartographer
- Geographical Information Systems web developer
- Project manager
Program Details
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View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
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Affordable tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year start at $647 per credit.*
*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our tuition & fees page for a detailed breakdown.
Admission Information
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To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.
Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student.
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First-Year Students
Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admission page.Transfer Students
Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms. -
1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.
2. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)