Advisement for the program is available from the Geography and Geosciences Department.
Geography, B.S. Geographic Information Science Track/Geographic Information Systems Management, M.S. Accelerated Master’s Curriculum Guide (Suggested 5-Year Plan of Study)
The Geography, B.S. Geographic Information Science Track/Geographic Information Systems Management (GISM), M.S. Accelerated Master’s Program is designed to provide theoretical and applied experience in administering and managing a GIS in a government, business or non-profit organization. To this end, the GISM program focuses on enhancing the GIS proficiency of professionals working in these areas to support their management objectives. Additionally, undergraduate geography students with the technical skills in GIScience are excellent candidates for the program as they can augment their technical skills with the management related skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. With the master’s in GISM, students are equipped to fully integrate and advance the use of GIS technology in their current and future work environments.
In addition to targeting GIS professionals, this master’s program also targets working professionals who may be utilizing GIS in their professional career but lack the management skills to effectively lead a team or project.The program is designed to meet students’ needs while they hold a professional position. Thus, the entirety of the M.S. program is offered online.
B.S./M.S. Accelerated Program Admission
Students must be admitted to the University and can adopt the accelerated program as their major once the conditional prerequisites are met. Once admitted to the accelerated B.S./M.S. program, students are required to:
- Earn a B or better in all M.S. prerequisite courses, including Conditional Admission Prerequisites:
Students admitted to the program are required to take the following graduate courses to satisfy the requirements for the undergraduate geography degree. These credits are counted toward the required 36 credits for the Master of Science in GIS Management.
NOTE: Students admitted to the B.S./M.S. program must meet all requirements outlined for progression into the M.S. program prior to matriculation into the graduate program. Students who do not meet the requirements for matriculation into the M.S. program may continue in the Undergraduate Geography Program to graduate with a Bachelor of Science upon successful completion of all degree requirements.
Provisional Admission
If an applicant does not have any GIS experience, they may be admitted provisionally and be required to make up for the deficiency by completing leveling courses.
Provisionally admitted students who complete GEOG 519 and POSC 540 with no grade below a B are converted to full admission status.
Program of Study for the M.S.
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The Master of Science in GIS management requires completing at least 33/34 credit hours, of which at least 25 credit hours are earned at Salisbury University.
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The program must be completed with a cumulative average of a B (3.0) or higher, with no more than six credit hours below a grade of B and no grade lower than a C.
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The curriculum has a common set of core courses and allows for elective courses in professional areas of specialization.
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The GISM program can be completed in 13-months with full-time study and beginning your degree in the summer semester. Numerous part-time study options are available as well.
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All courses are offered online only.
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Unused graduate credits from suitably accredited institutions can be transferred into the program at the GISM director’s discretion.
Students work closely with the program director to identify which electives meet their educational goals.
Checklist
This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.
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