The GIS Certificate

Use spatial information to map the world and your future career

Satellite image of the continental US against a white background representing our GIS certificate

A GIS certificate prepares you to work at the forefront of many industries, from creating apps for outdoor adventurers to mapping our changing climate.

At FLC, you’ll merge theoretical and practical aspects of spatial analysis and learn the integrated set of tools for analyzing spatial data and making beautiful maps.

Alan Kasprak, Assistant Professor of Geosciences, on our GIS certificate program

"With a GIS certificate, you’ll add expertise in spatial science to your degree program at FLC. We use industry-standard and open-source spatial software and emphasize hands-on experience that will grow your career."

Alan Kasprak
Assistant Professor of Geosciences

The details

  • About GIS
  • GIS jobs & internships
  • Coursework
  • Get your GIS certificate
  • Contacts
  • Requirements
About GIS

A cartographic database

In short, a Geographic Information System (GIS) displays data that relates to specific places into a map. It’s a powerful way of communicating and experiencing information about our world, and it bridges a great many disciplines and ways of understanding.

As for the system itself, GIS is a digital map database and set of software programs that include an integrated set of tools for storing, querying, analyzing, and displaying georeferenced information.

GIS makes it easy to communicate the spatial relationships between information about people, plant and animal species, ecosystems, or other kinds of information. To this end you’ll learn to use industry-standard software (ArcGIS Pro) as well as field mapping tools, like GPS units. You’ll also get coursework in surveying, remote sensing, programming, and web mapping to provide a solid foundation work GIS work.

GIS jobs & internships

GIS is useful in a wide variety of disciplines, including:

  • Field sciences - environmental biology, geology, geography, archaeology, and more
  • Agriculture
  • Computer-aided drafting (CAD) and engineering
  • Computer science
  • Business administration

There are many job opportunities in GIS. For more information, see the following websites:

Coursework

GIS makes it easy to communicate the spatial relationships between information about people, plant and animal species, ecosystems, or other kinds of information. To this end you’ll learn to use industry-standard software (ArcGIS Pro) as well as field mapping tools, like GPS units. You’ll also get coursework in surveying, remote sensing, programming, and web mapping to provide a solid foundation work GIS work.

For course descriptions and prerequisites, refer to the current Catalog of Courses.

Required GIS Courses (4) Credits
GEOG 310 Intro to Computer Mapping and GIS [taught Fall and Spring semesters] 4
GEOG 315 GIS Programming and Web Mapping [taught Fall semester] 2
GEOG 350 Intermediate GIS [taught Spring semester] 3
GEOG 400 Advanced GIS [taught Fall semester] 3
 
Prerequisite for ENGR 205 Intro to Geomatics and Engineering Surveying (1)
Math 121 Pre-Calculus [taught Fall and Spring semesters] 4
 
Remote Sensing, Engineering/CAD and Surveying (Choose 1).
GEOG 325 Intro to Remote Sensing [taught every Spring semester] OR 4
ENGR 205 Intro to Geomatics and Engineering Surveying [taught every odd-year Fall semester] 4
 
GIS Capstone Course (Choose 1)  
GEOG 480 Internship in GIS OR 1,2, or 3
GEOG 499 Independent Study 1,2, or 3
   
Total Required Hours for GIS Certificate 17, 18 or 19

Examples of recent GIS and Remote Sensing class syllabi:

Get your GIS certificate
  • Start with the GEOG 310 (Intro to Computer Mapping and GIS) course, taught both Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Contact the GIS Certificate Program Coordinator, Dr. Alan Kasprak, by
    email or phone (970-247-6565), to discuss your plans for the GIS Certificate program.
  • Visit the FLC Registrar's website, fill out, and submit the Change of Major, Minor, Concentration, Certificate, and/or Catalog Year form. For more information, visit the Registrar's Office website or in person (Skyhawk Station, room 140), or call 970-247-7350.
  • All students seeking a degree or a certificate from Fort Lewis College must apply to graduate. Visit the Graduation guide web page for application deadlines and the application form. Submit the form by the deadline.
Contacts

GIS Certificate Program Coordinator:

Dr. Alan Kasprak, Assistant Professor
Office: SFH 2784
Phone: 970-247-6565
Email Dr. Kasprak

GIS Instructors:

Requirements

Important requirements

  • A minimum "C" grade must be earned in each course applied toward the certificate program.
  • All coursework must be in graded courses. Pass/fail work will not be accepted toward certificate requirements.
  • At least 50% of the coursework toward the certificate must be earned at Fort Lewis College.

For more information about GEOG 480 or 499, including WebOpus registration details, download the informational PDF.

For full descriptions of GIS and related courses, go to the FLC Catalog of Courses website. For upcoming schedules of courses, go to the WebOpus Searchable Course Schedules website.

What can you do with a Geographic Information System certificate?

Our GIS certificate complements a degree or professional experience in ways that open doors for you into exciting new professional opportunities.