About
The Online Graduate GIScience Certificate Program is a fully online, graduate-level program designed for professionals and students seeking to advance their skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Whether you are starting your journey in geospatial technology or looking to deepen your expertise, this program offers the flexibility, affordability, and personalized support to help you succeed.
As one of only two online graduate GIS certificate programs in North Carolina, our program stands out for its practical, hands-on curriculum and direct access to expert faculty. Students receive weekly one-on-one guidance while mastering essential and advanced geospatial techniques.
Through this program, you will:
Gain proficiency in both foundational and advanced GIS software tools
Learn key skills in spatial analysis, cartography, and remote sensing
Acquire and generate original geospatial data from local, national, and global sources
Work with real-time data feeds, virtual feature services, ground-penetrating radar, and sUAV (drone) platforms
Automate GIS workflows using model building and scripting
Conduct advanced analysis across multiple GIS platforms, both proprietary and open-source
Plan, execute, and manage comprehensive geospatial projects
Apply GIS solutions to real-world challenges using multidisciplinary modeling approaches
People
Dr. Song Shu
Dr. Shu specializes in remote sensing applications related to water resources, lake hydrology, Arctic snow, and cryospheric processes. His research agenda focuses on the application of remote sensing, UAV, and GIS techniques to the monitoring of lake water level, water resources, snow accumulation, and soil erosion, and to understand rapid environmental changes in the hydrosphere and cryosphere in the context of global climate change.
Dr. William Wang
Dr. Wang focuses on understanding the complex interactions between environmental change and human activities across multiple spatial and temporal scales. He applies interdisciplinary methods, combining GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial statistics to analyze these dynamics and support data-driven solutions for sustainable environmental management.
Dr. Johnathan Sugg ’08 ’13
Dr. Sugg specializes in map design, climate science, and the communication of geographic information. His research focuses on the user-centered design of maps, specifically in the context of climate change, emphasizing how user perceptions and values influence the interpretation of policy-relevant data. He enjoys mentoring students and taking on freelance mapping projects alongside his teaching and research at App State.
Dr. Zhiyuan Yao
Dr. Yao’s research explores how urban transportation systems influence accessibility and shape daily life in cities. She uses geocomputing and spatial analysis to evaluate and improve transport services with a focus on accessibility, safety, affordability, and efficiency. Dr. Yao serves as the certificate director, and questions can be directed to her via email at yaoz@appstate.edu.
Learn More and Apply
To learn more and apply, visit the App State Online website.
Contact
Dr. Zhiyuan Yao
Director, Online Graduate GIScience Certificate
Email: yaoz@appstate.edu
FAQ
What are the required documents needed to apply for the Online Graduate GIS Certificate Program?
- Bachelor’s Transcript and Degree
- Statement of Interest
- Resume
- Two reference letters
Is the GRE required?
- No
How much does the program cost for in-state students?
- Please refer to the Online Tuition Fee Page.
How much does the program cost for out-of-state students?
- For out-of-state students, please refer to the Online Tuition Fee Page. If you have more questions regarding that, you can contact Student Account at studentaccounts@appstate.edu, 828-262-2113.
Am I qualified for in-state tuition if I work in NC but live out of the state?
- The student would need to through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service who determines the students residency determination. Please call the RDS office and explain that they do work for a local government in North Carolina. North Carolina Residency Determination Service, 844-319-3640.
How can I prove my residency in NC?
- Please refer to the Online Tuition Fee Page.
What are the withdrawal and refund policies from the University?
- If a student withdraws from the University (i.e., discontinues all classes and formally notifies the Registrar’s Office), a refund will be made according to the refund table found in the “Refund Policy” link in the Schedule of Classes on the Registrar’s website. Go towww.studentaccounts.appstate.edu/withdrawal-university. The refund calculation will be based upon the date of official withdrawal from the University. (Students who wish to withdraw should immediately notify the Registrar’s Office).
- The only refund granted is when the student goes through the official withdrawal process from the University, and the meal account money refunded will be from the current semester only.
- Returning students who have pre-paid tuition and fees will be due a full refund if they subsequently become academically ineligible to re-enroll. Newly admitted students who do not enroll will be due a full refund LESS any advance payments made as part of the admissions process. Currently enrolled students who are suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons will be given a pro-rated refund based on the University’s published refund schedule for the academic term in question.
How long does it take to complete?
- 8 months, two semesters. You need to complete the program within 2 years.
Can this certificate count toward a Master’s degree later?
- No
Do I need a bachelor’s degree in geography or a related field?
- No
Do I need to be in the United States to join the program?
- Yes
What are the application deadlines?
- Please refer to our Graduate School.
Can I start in Spring / Summer / Fall?
- You can start in Spring or Fall.
Are scholarships available?
- Not at this time
Does your program qualify for financial aid?
- No
What payment plans does this program offer?
- Please refer to the Payment Plans.
Do you offer employer reimbursement documentation?
- Yes. Appalachian State University does provide documentation for employer tuition reimbursement. Students are advised to first download a summary of their account from the Billing & Payment Center (Touchnet) under View Activity, which shows an itemized breakdown of charges and payments for a term. If your employer requires more detailed documentation (e.g., per-class breakdown of charges), you can email Student Accounts (studentaccounts@appstate.edu) with the employer’s specific requirements, and the office will manually create an individualized document, which may take up to a couple of weeks to process.
What is the refund policy if I drop a course?
- Please refer to Refund Policies.
Is the program fully 100% online and asynchronous?
- Yes
How are students assessed and graded ?
- Through lab assignments, exams, and projects.
What kind of support do online students get?
- 1 on 1 faculty support. You can schedule a meeting with the faculty member(s) who teach your course.
Do I need a Windows computer for ArcGIS Pro?
- If you have a Windows-based PC, we will offer you the ArcGIS Pro installer. If you use Mac, you can make good use of uDesk where you can find the Geography and Planning virtual desktop which includes necessary software used for course work. Including ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ENVI, RStudio, etc.