Overview
Data is increasingly changing the way our world works, and with that comes a growing need for specialists who can gather, manage, analyze and visualize complex geographic and spatial data to help us make smarter decisions. PSU's master's in Geographic Information Science (GIS) meets that demand by equipping you with the hands-on geospatial training and the technical knowledge you need to successfully become a GIS professional or advance your GIS career.
At PSU, we offer:
- Hands-on experience in the use of leading GIS and remote sensing software
- Flexibility with hybrid and online classes
- Opportunities to work with community partners on real-world applications
This dynamic field offers opportunities in many sectors, from government and urban planning to business, environmental studies, and health. Employers across our region and state are seeking employees with advanced, graduate-level GIS training. Join our program and launch a career where you'll help solve complex social, economic, and environmental issues.
Please explore the information on this web site and contact us with your questions at geographygrad@pdx.edu
Why PSU?
Our master's degree in GIS trains you in skills that are widely sought after both locally and nationally. Our focus on geospatial technologies prepares you to tackle real-world problems through the collection and analysis of locational intelligence, from solving homelessness to developing smart cities.
Through our courses, taught by faculty who are actively engaged in GIS research, you'll master key GIS competencies, including geospatial software tools, map production and cartography, 3D and terrain modeling and analysis, spatial database design, GIS programming, remote sensing systems and data, and UAS and GPS mapping.
The Portland metro region is home to many major GIS companies, mid-size GIS consultant companies and government agencies who are increasingly seeking to enhance their GIS capacities, and you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with a community partner on a project-based practicum.
Our GIS faculty members, together with the student GIS Club, regularly interact with the GIS communities through speaker series, GIS co-op and internship opportunities and professional conferences such as the GIS in Action and Portland Cartography Symposium.
What can I do with this degree?
Geospatial technology is considered a high-growth industry, and our graduates go on to enhance our region and state's GIS capacity and capabilities in a variety of fields, including anthropology, communication, criminal justice, environmental science, geology, history, urban planning and transportation engineering.
You can pursue the program as a standalone master's degree, or begin your training in our graduate GIS certificate program.
Our program meets the academic requirements to be certified by the GIS Certificate Institute (GISCI) and the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS).
Program Curriculum
| Core Geography Courses | 12 credits |
|---|
| GEOG 572 Critical GIS 2 cr | GEOG 591 Professionalism in GIS 2 cr |
| GEOG 522 Research Design 4 cr | GEOG 592 Geographic Information Systems II: Advanced GIS 4 cr |
| Core GIS Competency courses | 2 courses - 8 credits |
|---|
| GEOG 590 GIS Programming 4 cr | GEOG 575 Spatial Database Design and Applications 4 cr |
| GEOG 597 Advanced Spatial Quantitative Analysis 4 cr | |
| Non-GIS, Topical courses | 4 credits |
|---|
| 4 credits of graduate-level non-GIS courses | Courses must have committee approval |
| Specialized geospatial data science focus area | At least two courses in one of the areas below |
|---|
| Remote sensing and digital image analysis | |
| GEOG 580 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing 4 cr | GEOG 581 Digital Image Analysis I: Introduction 4 cr |
| GEOG 582 Digital Analysis II: Advanced Remote Sensing 4 cr | GEOG 577 Photogrammetry and LiDAR 2 cr |
| Cartography and Geovisualization | |
| GEOG 584 Cartographic Applications of GIS 4 cr | GEOG 585 Map Design and Production 4 cr |
| Computer & Information Sciences1 | |
| CS 5202 Object-Oriented Programming 3 cr | CS 5472 Computer Graphics 3 cr |
| CS 5492 Computational Geometry 3 cr | CS 5542 Software Engineering 3 cr |
| GEOG 575 Spatial Database Design and Applications 4 cr | GEOG 590 GIS Programming 4 cr |
| GEOG 595 Maps, Models, and GIS 4 cr | |
| Spatial Statistics & Quantitative Methods1 | |
| ESM 566 Environmental Data Analysis 4 cr | ESM 567 Multivariate Analysis of Environmental Data 4 cr |
| GEOG 597 Advanced Spatial Quantitative Analysis 4 cr | STAT 5102: Spatiotemporal Statistics 4 cr |
| System and data science1 | |
| CS 5412 Artificial Intelligence 3 cr | CS 5422 Advanced Artificial Intelligence: Combinatorial Games 3 cr |
| CS 5432 Advanced Artificial Intelligence: Combinatorial Search 3 cr | CS 5452 Machine Learning 3 cr |
| SYSC 514 System Dynamics 4 cr | SYSC 525 Agent Based Simulation 4 cr |
| SYSC 527 Discrete System Simulation 4 cr | SYSC 531 Data Mining with Information Theory 4 cr |
| SYSC 535 Modeling and Simulation with R and Python 4 cr | SYSC 540 Introduction to Network Science 4 cr |
| SYSC 552 Game Theory 4 cr | SYSC 575 AI: Neural Networks 4 cr |
Electives
Graduate level GIS courses or seminars (or other courses approved by the committee) | (7 credits or take the number of credits to reach 45 credits required by the program)1 |
|---|
| G 525 Field GIS 4 cr | GEOG 507 SEM: Speaker Series 1 cr |
| GEOG 576 3D Terrain Analysis and Visualization 2 cr | GEOG 589 Building a GIS Database with GPS 4 cr. |
| GEOG 594 GIS for Water Resources 4 cr | |
| GIS Practicum | GEOG 509 6 credits |
|---|
Footnotes:
1 Or other emergent geospatial technology topics offered as seminars
2 Students might need to complete additional CS/STAT courses to meet the prerequisite requirements of the course. Please check with the instructor before registering for the course.
Admission Requirements
For admission to graduate study for the GIS MS degree, a student normally should have completed the minimum preparation for an undergraduate major in geography or GIS Science related fields with a 3.00 grade point average in all work. Students with majors in other fields are encouraged to apply. Normally such students are admitted on a conditional basis, with the student required to take courses to remedy deficiencies.
The prerequisites of the program are GEOG 380, 496, and 488 or equivalents.
- GEOG 380 Maps and Geographic Information or equivalent
- GEOG 496 Introduction to Spatial Quantitative Analysis or STAT 243 AND 244 or equivalent*
- GEOG 488 Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction (4 credits) or equivalent**
In addition to the general University admission requirements for advanced degrees, the student must provide letters of recommendation from three faculty members of colleges previously attended. Applicants are also required to submit a GIS portfolio that highlights their prior GIS training or experience.
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the English language proficiency requirement prior to enrolling in academic classes.
* G 423 may be substituted for GEOG 496
**G 424 or USP 531 may be substituted for GEOG 488.
To Apply
GIS MS students can be admitted in the Fall, Winter, or Spring terms.
Deadlines:
FALL TERM: MAY 1ST
WINTER TERM: OCTOBER 15TH
SPRING TERM: JANUARY 15TH
*Applications submitted after the deadline won't guarantee admission to the applied term
If you are a new student to PSU, complete the single online graduate application. To apply, visit https://apply.pdx.edu/apply/
If you are currently enrolled in a PSU graduate program, you do not need to submit the online university application. Instead, fill out a GO-19 Request for Change of Program Form and submit it with the departmental application materials. See this Departmental Graduate GO-19 Application page for application instructions.
Supplemental materials you will be expected to have for the online application:
- Essay: In 2-3 pages please tell us why you are interested in graduate work in the PSU Geography Department, what you understand the field to be and where your greatest interests are within geography and GIS.
- Transcripts: Provide an official transcript from the institution where your bachelor’s degree was awarded. You can submit an unofficial transcript if it is from Portland State University. You will be asked to upload the transcript in one of the following supported file types: PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF, or TIF
- Three recommendations from individuals who can comment on your academic performance or attest to your skills as they pertain to your selected program of study. You will need to enter the name and email address for the individual before selecting the “Submit Recommendation Request” button. Once selected, the recommender will be sent instructions for submitting a recommendation. You can see the status of the referral by going to the online application system and selecting the link titled “Review Your Activity”.
- A digital copy of your GIS portfolio that showcases your skills in geospatial technologies, including GIS, remote sensing, cartography, and/or surveying. We also accept online e-Portfolio. However, it is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that the e-Portfolio is accessible to the admission committee.