Program Overview

The School of Urban Studies offers 5 courses leading to a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The certificate program is a 25-credit curriculum which begins with T GIS 311, Maps and GIS, which is typically offered during the Autumn, Spring, and Summer Quarters* and serves as a prerequisite for subsequent courses. The remaining four courses are taken over two consecutive quarters (Autumn/Winter). This program is designed for entry-level and intermediate-level GIS users who lack formal education in geography or GIS.

The certificate in GIS provides you with an excellent foundation in the concepts necessary for spatial modeling with a variety of digital data. You will develop the analytical and practical skills needed for research and employment in GIS. The certificate program also provides you with the educational foundation for transfer into a baccalaureate program in related fields of study.

If you want the knowledge and skills to utilize GIS in fields such as urban and regional planning, environmental research, resource management, crime analysis, marketing, real estate, medical research, and various branches of government, this program is for you.

*GIS 311 must be taken during the Spring or Summer Quarter PRIOR to the start of the program in Autumn Quarter. Example: You take and pass GIS 311 in Spring/Summer 2024 and can start the program in Autumn 2024. If you take GIS 311 in the Autumn Quarter, you cannot start the GIS Certificate Program until the next Academic year*

Program goals

  • Provide students with a practical and theoretical understanding of approaches to spatial analysis
  • Introduce students to cartographic techniques that are used to produce maps for a variety of audiences
  • Equip students with the technical skills necessary to pursue careers in the geospatial industry
  • Serve as a graphics and mapping resource for UW Tacoma faculty
  • Assist the local community with spatial analysis and mapping needs

Upon completion of the program, students will have:

  • Demonstrated proficiency in the use of GIS software
  • Learned the analytical skills necessary to apply GIS to common social and environmental problems
  • Acquired the skills and expertise necessary to design and implement an independent geospatial research project
  • Gained the ability to create and present professional-quality graphic representations of social, environmental and economic conditions 

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Admission to the GIS certificate program does not require any prior experience in GIS or geography. Admission is competitive and space in the program is limited. Coursework in the program assumes a working knowledge and confidence with computers, office software (such as Microsoft Word and Excel) and internet browsers (such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer).

The GIS application requires:

  • Two professional or academic references (you provide name and contact information only; the faculty will contact your references)
  • Short essay on your interest in GIS, what you expect to bring to the program, your career goals, and your computer experience
  • Your current resume

Application deadline

Priority Deadline: March 1

Applications received by this deadline are guaranteed consideration for this cohort.

Final Deadline: June 1

Applications received by this deadline will be considered on a space available basis.

Late Deadline: September 1*

Final round of applications may be reviewed if space becomes available.

*You have until 11:45pm on the date of the late deadline to submit your application*


 

How to Apply

The application you submit today will be considered for the 2025-2026 cohort which starts Autumn 2025. 

Applicants to the GIS Certificate Program must have completed TGIS 311 (or have equivalent introductory GIS experience) prior to the start of the program in the Autumn quarter. Should you need to complete TGIS 311: Maps and GIS, the School of Urban Studies at UW Tacoma offers it in the Spring and Summer quarters. See the detailed curriculum below. 

What You'll Need to Fill Out the Application:

  • Your personal information (full name, address, email, telephone number phone, and student ID number).
  • Two professional/academic references (names, title, email, and telephone number).
  • Current resume in word or pdf format for upload.

Personal statements for the following questions:

  • How do you imagine that you'll fit into a small group of up to 40 students, and what unique quality do you expect to bring to the program?
  • Describe your interest in GIS.
  • What are your career goals?
  • How will a certificate in GIS improve the likelihood of success in the career that you've chosen?
  • Please describe your computer skills and the confidence that you have in your ability to grasp fairly challenging computer-related concepts.
  • Describe in detail your background or training in GIS.

If you are a current UW Tacoma student*

Complete the online GIS application form.

* For students graduating before starting the Certificate, please follow the process for Non-Matriculated Admission

 

 

If you are NOT a current UW Tacoma student

If you will NOT be a UW Tacoma student at the start of the GIS Certificate Program, you must first apply and be accepted to UW Tacoma as a non-matriculated student

  1. Contact the Academic Advisor to determine what quarter you need to apply for. This applies to non-matriculated students as GIS 311 is a required prerequisite course and is NOT offered every quarter.
     
  2. Submit an Application for Nonmatriculated Admission (no later than 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter when you wish to start), indicate "GIS Certificate," and pay the $60 application fee.
     
  3. Complete the online GIS application form.

Curriculum

The GIS certificate program is a 25-credit curriculum which begins with T GIS 311, followed by two consecutive quarters. After T GIS 311, the remaining four courses are taken as a cohort in the sequence prescribed below.  Each class is held one day/week in evening hours.
 

Grading

Please note that your continued participation in the GIS Certificate program hinges on the successful completion of all GIS Certificate courses. For each of the five classes in the certificate sequence, students must earn a grade of 2.5 or better to continue to the following quarter. In order to be awarded a GIS Certificate you must successfully complete all five GIS Certificate classes with a minimum grade of 2.5.

2024-2025

Autumn, Spring, and Summer prior to Autumn 2024

Autumn Quarter

Winter Quarter

*Add codes are required to register for each of the courses listed above. Click here to request add codes*

Software & Lab

GIS lab

The School of Urban Studies maintains a state-of-the-art facility for GIS instruction. Laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art computers and monitors. Other peripheral equipment include an Epson large format color printer/plotter, HP printer, and other necessary supplies. UW Tacoma's GIS certificate program utilizes Esri's ArcGIS Desktop Advanced. The lab is linked to the University of Washington's network to facilitate access to extensive data sources necessary for high-level Geographic Information Systems processes.

What is ArcGIS?

Esri® ArcGIS® for Desktop Advances, the most widely used GIS software available, is a suite of software products that form a complete geographic information system (GIS) built on industry standards that provide exceptional, yet easy-to-use, capabilities out of the box. ArcSDE® is an application server that facilitates storing and managing spatial data in a database management system (DBMS). And ArcPad® is a mobile technology that extends GIS to the field.

About esri GIS

  • Used worldwide
  • Exceptional functionality
  • Scalable
  • Web-enabled

Student Access

All GIS certificate students receive access to all of the GIS facilities in the Pinkerton (PNK) building. This provides students with nearly 24-7 access to the GIS classroom lab (PNK 131) and GIS lounge (PNK 130).

Students receives complementary access to the complete version of Esri's ArcGIS Pro, the world's leading GIS software. ArcGIS Pro, the powerful single desktop GIS application, is a feature-packed software developed with enhancements and ideas from the ArcGIS Pro user community. ArcGIS Pro supports data visualization; advanced analysis; and authoritative data maintenance in 2D, 3D, and 4D. It supports data sharing across a suite of ArcGIS products such as ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, and enables users to work across the ArcGIS system through Web GIS. Students may install the software on their personal laptops or desktops.

 

Tuition

Tuition is charged at the undergraduate rate (includes nonmatriculated students and post-baccalaureate students taking undergraduate courses).  Refer to the UW Tacoma Tuition webpage for specific details.  Quarterly tuition is based on credits taken per quarter.

Autumn, Spring, and Summer Quarter prior to Autumn 2024:

  • T GIS 311: Maps and GIS (6 credits)

Total credits = 6 credits

Autumn Quarter:

  • T GIS 312: Intermediate GIS (6 credits)
  • T GIS 313: Applied GIS and Project Design (3 credits)

Total credits = 9 credits

Winter Quarter:

  • T GIS 414: Advanced Applications of GIS (5 credits)
  • TGIS 415: Critical Theory and GIS Practicum (5 credits)

Total credits = 10 credits

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps. These abilities distinguish GIS from other information systems and make it valuable to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes and planning strategies.

Who uses GIS?

Everyone? Chances are, you've already used GIS, on your smart phone. If you've used Google Maps, Waze, or even The Photographers Ephemeris to simply plan for perfect light to capture an urban outdoor photography image, you've used GIS. GIS is used in nearly all job categories, in some way or another.  It is likely that GIS will enhance your marketability, regardless of your chosen profession.

Why should I enroll in the University of Washington Tacoma GIS Certificate Program?

Because GIS is everyWHERE, and employers are looking for employees who have an understanding of what can be done with GIS. Once you learn how to use GIS, you can utilize the skills in other courses to fulfill other requirements. Depending on your major (e.g. Enviromental Science, Environmental Studies), you may be able to use the GIS Certificate Program as your capstone, or at the very least, as a tool in your capstone.  It is recommended that you consult with an academic advisor for specific information about how to apply credits from the GIS Certificate Program toward your major. 

How do I know if GIS is utilized in my chosen field?

EASY! Google "your chosen field and GIS", "your ideal job and GIS" or "your major and GIS", such as "Urban Studies and GIS", "Business and GIS", "Marketing Manager and GIS", "Urban Planning and GIS", "Computer Science and GIS", etc.

What Majors have enrolled in the GIS Certificate Program?

Urban Studies, Sustainable Urban Development, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Politics Philosophy and Economics, Communications, History, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Law and Policy, Healthcare Leadership, Business Administration, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, and more! Don't see your major listed? Google your major along with 'and GIS' to determine the value GIS will add to your Resume.

Must I be enrolled as a Full Time student at UW Tacoma, to take the GIS Certificate?

NO, in fact, of our GIS Certificate Students, nearly half are 'non-matriculated', meaning they are not enrolled in a Major at UWT. They have chosen to enroll in the Certificate to enhance their job growth, employability, and overall skillset.

About the GIS certificate

The University of Washington Tacoma offers 5 courses leading to a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The certificate program is a 25-credit curriculum which begins with T GIS 311, Maps and GIS, taken any quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer) and serves as a prerequisite for subsequent courses. The remaining four courses are taken over two consecutive quarters (Autumn/Winter). This program is designed for entry-level and intermediate-level GIS users who lack formal education in geography or GIS.

The certificate in GIS provides you with an excellent foundation in the concepts necessary for spatial modeling with a variety of digital data. You will develop the analytical and practical skills needed for research and employment in GIS. The certificate program also provides you with the educational foundation for transfer into a baccalaureate program in related fields of study.

If you want the knowledge and skills to utilize GIS in fields such as urban and regional planning, environmental research, resource management, crime analysis, marketing, real estate, medical research, and various branches of government, this program is for you.