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Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies

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Program Overview

The online M.S. in Geospatial Technology aims to foster insights, technical skills, and advanced training in the geospatial technology industry for working professionals. Representing the intersection of geography and technology, the program’s curriculum was specifically designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical geospatial technology skills needed to advance in this rapidly growing field of study. An advanced degree from OU in geospatial technologies prepares you to leverage new technologies to support governmental, environmental, business, and societal decision-making affecting the future of our planet.

The online Master of Science in Geospatial Technology* is a 33-credit, 21-month online program, with the option for an embedded graduate certificate with 12 hours of coursework. Both the graduate degree program and certificate option can be completed 100% online.

*The full name of the degree program is online Certificate in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies. Graduates of the program will receive a Graduate Certificate in Geography and Environmental Sustainability.

Attain a Certificate in a few short months

Students who want to focus on a few core concepts, prepare for professional level certification exams, or are considering a M.S. path may opt for a Certificate track. The online Certificate in Geospatial Technology* program is 12 credit hours and can be completed in months.

Access Curriculum grounded in theory and practice

Our curriculum includes the theory and application of geospatial technologies – so you learn both conceptual and professional skills. You will use creative, qualitative, and mixed research methods to deepen your understanding of our world.

Form Industry Connections

The OU College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences offers various training and collaboration opportunities in the growing field of geospatial technologies. You will gain a head-start in transitioning from the classroom to the real-world.

Learn from Nationally Recognized Faculty

Our faculty is dedicated to expanding your intellectual views with critical perspectives. Faculty areas of expertise include coupled human and natural systems, integrated modeling, location and suitability modeling, landscape ecology, and cartography.

Accelerated, Fully Online Format

With the flexible online format, you can earn your advanced Master's degree in 21 months, all while continuing to work full time. The program was developed for working adults, allowing you to complete coursework at your convenience.

Program Requirements

Program Cost

Tuition for the online M.S. in Geospatial Technology program is $32,505* for the entire program ($985/credit hour). Fees associated with the program are included in this cost. Books and materials are additional.

Once accepted into the M.S. program, students are required to submit a $350 non-refundable deposit within two weeks. Deposits are applied toward tuition expenses and secure a student’s place in the upcoming class.

*Tuition and fees are subject to change at the discretion of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Admissions Requirements

To apply to the online Master of Science in Geospatial Technology program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college of university (or the international equivalent). Admissions will occur on a rolling basis and is at the discretion of the admissions committee. Transfer credits will be accepted at the discretion of the admissions committee.

Students who wish to apply must:
  1. Why does the Geospatial Technologies degree interest you and what do you hope to accomplish by obtaining the degree?
  2. What are your top three educational goals while in the Geospatial Technologies degree?
  3. Going forward, what are your career goals and how will the program help achieve them?
  1. GRE Score (waivers may be available for students with industry experience)
  2. Reference letter
  3. Written paper or report from the past three years
  4. Portfolio of past GIS work (if applicable)

Program Courses

Designed for working professionals, the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) from OU can be completed in as little as 21 months. The program helps students prepare for the CPA exam in a convenient online format.

Required Courses

This course is designed to help students learn introductory to intermediate concepts of geographic information science and become proficient users of geographic information systems. The course covers a variety of topics but focuses on GIS data models, data structures, and spatial analysis.
This course introduces students to methods of collecting, organizing, and describing data, focusing specifically on environmental and geographical applications. Students also learn basic concepts of probability and statistical inference. The overall objective is to develop an understanding of statistical literacy as it is applied to geographical and sustainability related issues.
An overview of political activities at the local, state, and federal levels that will enhance the professional development of school administrators. Issues addressed include micro-politics at the school site and district offices; superintendent and school board relations; lobbying legislators and dealing with interest groups; the state political process, federal aid; and analysis of current political controversies.
The goal of this course is for the students to develop both basic computer science and information management literacy as it pertains to GIS. Additionally, students will learn how to capture, create, validate and maintain spatial data for use in GIS. Students will become familiar with federal, local, and private online GIS data repositories, and will learn to navigate these as reputable data sources for future GIS work.

This course is an introduction to the theory and interpretation of remote sensing imagery, with emphasis on photographic, multi-spectral, thermal, and microwave remote sensing systems. Imagery from aircraft, satellite and low-altitude platforms will be used to illustrate geographic and environmental applications of remote sensing.

This course is designed to help students learn intermediate and advanced concepts of geographic information science related to a variety of socio-economic and environmental fields. Course topics may include: landscape ecology and metrics; suitability modeling; binary and ranking index models; routing and network analysis; and other topics applicable to social or environmental fields.
This course introduces students to geocomputation concepts, spatial programming skills, and computational approaches to spatial data services and spatial problem solving.
This course provides a comprehensive background on the practice of GIS in geographic and environmental research. Students learn about current issues while exploring employment opportunities in GIS-related fields and practicing formal research presentations. They also learn how to formulate a research proposal, including literature review, methodology, and consideration of ethics.
This course will explain and demonstrate methods and techniques in spatial sampling, spatial auto-correlation, and spatial composition. It also delves into spatially- adjusted regression, local statistics, geo-statistics, and related techniques. Theoretical explanations and derivations as well as practical applications will be presented in the class.
This course expands and solidifies the GIS knowledge acquired in introductory and applied GIS classes. It focuses on highly complex spatial questions which cannot be solved in simple steps but instead require advanced GIS analysis and automation.
This course presents digital image processing techniques and applies these techniques to a variety of optical and microwave datasets. It focuses on the application of satellite data in environmental and socio-economic analysis.
Legal framework of education in the United States; consideration of federal and state constitutional provisions, federal and state statutes, federal and state judicial decisions and rules and regulations of the various federal and state agencies which affect education.

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