Dr. Stuart Hamilton, Program Director
410-543-6460
Advisement for the program is available from the Geography and Geosciences Department.
The Master of Science in geographic information systems (GIS) management is designed to provide a theoretical and applied experience in administering and managing a GIS in a government, business or non-profit organization. To this end, the program also focuses on enhancing the GIS proficiency of professionals working in these areas to support their management objectives. With such experience, these professionals will be well equipped to fully integrate and advance the use of this new technology in their work environments.
This master’s program is targeted at working professionals who could not or did not acquire an in-depth GIS background as part of their primary training and yet are expected to interact with GIS professionals and technicians as part of their job. The program is designed to meet students’ needs while they continue to hold their professional position. Thus, the entirety of the program is offered online.
Admission
Admission to the Master of Science in geographic information systems management (GISM) requires that the Application for Graduate Program Admission, application fee, transcripts from all colleges attended and Residency/Domicile Information form be submitted to the Office of Admissions. When the application and required transcripts arrive in the Office of Admissions, the application files are sent to the M.S. GISM program coordinator for admission consideration. Applicants must also submit an application directly to the M.S. GISM program with the following requirements:
- Two academic or professional recommendations addressing the applicant’s ability to do graduate work.
- A personal statement of about 500 words that describes the applicant’s goals related to the pursuit of this graduate program of study to their overall career.
- Valid GRE results. Students more than three-years removed from graduation (undergraduate) may request a GRE waiver.
- Completion of undergraduate coursework in both algebra and statistics.
- An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university or international equivalent.
- International applicants who are non-native speakers of English should present a TOEFL score of at least 550 points (paper-based test) or 79 (internet-based test). Students may substitute this for other evidence of English proficiency (such as graduation from an English speaking university) at the graduate director’s discretion.
- A professional resume highlighting:
- any management or technical experience working in a professional capacity in business, government or non-government organizations
- knowledge of and recent (within the last three years) professional experience using GIS software
- OR
- at least two semesters of geographic information science courses
- some combination of professional GIS experience and formal coursework
Provisional Admission
Students without significant professional experience may be admitted provisionally if they have had an internship involving management experience, and/or have completed some combination of upper-division or graduate-level courses in human geography, land-use planning, GIS, public administration, business administration or government. Students seeking provisional admission are expected to submit acceptable results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). If the applicant does not meet the GIS experience requirement, they may be admitted provisionally and be required to make up 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
- The Master of Science in GIS management requires the completion of at least 34 credit hours, of which at least 21 credit hours are earned at Salisbury University.
- 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.
- The curriculum has a common set of core courses (25 credit hours) and allows for elective courses in professional areas of specialization (at least nine credit hours).
- The master’s degree program can be completed in 13 months with full-time study. Part-time study leading to the degree is also available. All courses are offered online only.
- Courses in technology management (TMAN) are offered online to SU students by the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). TMAN courses are taken via interinstitutional registration (see the “Inter-Institutional Registration” section of the Graduate Student Information chapter of this catalog for more information) and are treated as credits earned at SU. Upon entering the M.S. GISM program, students work closely with the program director to identify which electives meet their educational goals and are guided through the inter-institutional registration process.
Students work closely with the program director to identify which electives meet their educational goals and will be guided through the inter-institutional registration process.
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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