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Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis M.S.

Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis M.S.

May 19, 2025

Aug. 20, 2025

Upcoming Start Dates

Courses Required

$705

Cost Per Credit Hour

Total Credit Hours

Online Courses

Learning Format

Thrive In A High-Growth Industry

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Analysis M.S. is the first of its kind in West Virginia. With the growing demand for geospatial technology experts, this online program offers training in a variety of spatial analysis, quantitative analysis, remote sensing, computational, and spatial programming techniques.

Man sits at a desk while analyzing maps on his computer.

This program is a fully online M.S. in GIS and Spatial Analysis led by the Department of Geology and Geography in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University, with support from other programs across campus. Ideal for those seeking to expand their credentials and for working professionals, the graduate program offers a strong focus on the applications of geospatial science in the environmental sciences and resource management, as well as applications for spatial analysis, geocomputation and coding, and digital cartography.

Information SessionS

Thank you for your interest! Attend a Virtual Information Session to explore the the program in more detail.

March 5, 1:00 p.m. » March 25, 7:00 p.m. » April 24, noon » June 11, 3:00 p.m. »

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Jessica Carr, Your Personal Online Admissions Coach

"As a graduate of WVU, I look forward to helping future students begin their own journeys to becoming a Mountaineer. At WVU Online, we are eager to guide you through the enrollment process with ease and want to provide you with the information and resources you need to be successful. Online degrees give everyone an opportunity to further their education and I can’t wait to help you do just that."

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Contact

Email: Jessica.Carr1@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-6841
Virtual Session: Schedule a virtual session with me

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet WVU’s general admission requirements, in addition to the following:

Possess a baccalaureate degree from a college or university;
Have a grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or an average of 3.0 or higher for the last sixty credit hours);
Apply with the online Graduate Application;
Pay graduate application fee;
Provide three letters of reference from persons acquainted with the applicant’s professional work, experience, or academic background;
Submit resume or curriculum vitae;
Submit a written statement of 500 words or more indicating the applicant’s goals and objectives relative to receiving a graduate degree;
Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU) and send to:
WVU Hub
P.O. Box 6004
Morgantown, WV 26506
or electronically sent to GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu.

The GRE is not required for admission.

International students have the additional requirement to submit a minimum score of 550 on the paper TOEFL examination or 213 on the electronic TOEFL examination if their native language is not English.

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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.

Students are encouraged to:

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the June 30, 2024 deadline to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827; and
Check with your employer to see if they provide financial support for earning your graduate degree.

The tuition rate per credit hour listed above is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees increase beginning in the fall term of each academic year.

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

The future in GIS and Spatial Analysis

Geospatial professionals are in high demand within local government, state and federal agencies, consulting companies, technology companies, and institutions of higher education.

WHy CHoose the GIS and Spatial Analysis M.S.?

Coursework and the required professional project explore a wide variety of topics and skills of value in the growing GIS and geospatial disciplines including geo-visualization; web GIS; spatial analysis, data science, and analytics; geo-computation; remote sensing; machine learning and deep learning; and applications in the environmental and health sciences. A bachelor’s degree is required to apply to the program, but no prior experience or training in GIS or geospatial data science is necessary. This program makes use of a variety of commercial and open-source software tools, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, Python, and R. It has a strong focus in spatial problem solving.

Career Outlook for GIS and Spatial Analysis graduates

GIS specialists can find job opportunities in various fields due to the global use of GIS technologies. Traditionally, GIS careers were available in urban planning, environmental sciences, public utilities, government, military, emergency and disaster response, and resource management. However, newer opportunities in agriculture, real estate, gaming and app development, public health, climate science, and conservation have emerged.

Credit Hours: Students must complete 31 hours of coursework, including a minimum of 3 credits in Resource Management.

Grade Point Average: Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, and a GPA of 3.00 in all courses applied to the graduate program.

Graduation Requirement: In addition to completing the required coursework, students must complete a graduation project. This may include a written report or deliverables/products, such as data, software, maps, web maps, code, and/or web apps. An oral defense of the work is not required.

Note: Certificate students who have completed RESM 585: GIS and Spatial Analysis Project, must complete a new project and register for Geography 797: Research.

Core Courses

Course	Title	Credit Hours
GEOG 550	Geographic Information Science	4
GEOG 797	Research	6

Select two of the following:

Course	Title	Credit Hours
GEOG 651	Geographic Information Science: Technical Issues	3
GEOG 655	Remote Sensing Principles	3
RESM 540	Geospatial Modeling	3

Electives: 16 Credit Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hours
GEOG 462	Digital Cartography	3
GEOG 651	Geographic Information Science: Technical Issues	3
GEOG 654	Environmental Geographic Information Systems Modeling	3
GEOG 655	Remote Sensing Principles	3
GEOG 657	Open-Source Spatial Analytics	3
RESM 540	Geospatial Modeling	3
RESM 545	Spatial Hydrology and Watershed Analysis	3
RESM 575	Spatial Analysis for Resource Management	3

Total Hours: 31

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular GIS Careers?

Due to the growing trend of using location intelligence to enhance decision-making, organizations worldwide are increasingly dependent on GIS. This has created a higher demand for GIS careers than ever before. GIS professionals, armed with spatial analysis and data visualization expertise, are now eligible for job opportunities in a vast array of fields that could include the following careers: Data Scientist, Surveying and Mapping Technician, Remote Sensing Technician, Urban and Regional Planner, Climate Scientist, Conservationist, Forester, GIS Manager, Health Geographer, Helicopter Firefighter, or an App Developer.

What can I expect to earn with my GIS and Spatial Analysis degree?

Graduates of GIS and Spatial Analysis can expect varying salaries due to the diverse pay scale in the field. Holding a master's degree can result in a median salary increase of approximately 10%.

How long will it take to earn this degree?

The time for completion of the GIS AND Spatial Analysis degree is typically two years or four semesters. It is possible to complete the program in as little as 18 months.