UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

FAQs

General FAQ

A:  Our graduate-level certificate and M.S. in CyberGIS and Geospatial Data Science has many aspects that set it apart from other existing programs, including:

Only program that combines Geographic Information Science and Systems and Data Science: 

  • global leader of geospatial data science education and birth place of cyberGIS
  • work with world-class faculty and infrastructure
  • apply your learning cutting-edge cyberGIS and geospatial data science to solve many real-world problems

 

A stronger focus on skills and knowledge in high demand in the private and public sector :

  • cyberGIS techniques to analyze and visualize big geospatial data in Python using advanced cyberinfrastructure and high-performance computing (GGIS 407 and GGIS 507).
  • open source mapping and visualization libraries such as Leaflet, D3 and Plotly  (GGIS 407 and GGIS 517)
  • fundamentals, principles and tools of geographic information science and systems in (GGIS 403, GGIS 476 and GGIS 480)
  • Geospatial AI and Machine Learning algorithms and tools to identify and analyze patterns, clusters, and anomalies based on various types of geospatial data  (GGIS 527)
  • advanced techniques for spatial analysis, such as  spatial autocorrelation, trend surface analysis, and point pattern analysis to solve geospatial problems  (GGIS 570)

A flexible, engaging, and tailored experience for you:

  • all lessons in our courses are pre-recorded and are watched on your own schedule
  • optional 60-90 min synchronous lab sessions that are also recorded for asynchronous consumption 
  • engage with instructors with one-on-one meetings (typically weekly)
  • non-thesis capstone research project for the master’s degree where you can apply your learning cutting-edge cyberGIS and geospatial data science to solve many real-world problems  that can be customized to meet your particular weather and climate interests and/or career goals
  • you may use the 12 credits of certificate courses towards pursuing our online M.S. in CyberGIS and Geospatial Data Science, should you choose to continue on!

Certificate Program FAQ

A: Yes! This program may be of interest to those looking to transition into a career in CyberGIS and Spatial Data Science from another field, or otherwise seeking to gain more knowledge of concepts and tools in GIS. While a large number of our advanced online courses do have specific pre-requisites, students may successfully complete the certificate program without a GIS, computer science or engineering background. Please contact us for more information if you have specific questions or concerns about how this program might align with your career goals.

A: Yes! While you are welcome to apply directly for the online master’s degree, another option is to initially enroll in the certificate program, take a course or two, and then apply to the degree program. Once officially admitted to the online master’s program, courses taken toward the certificate will also be applied toward the degree requirements.

A: The 12-hour online graduate certificate provides advanced training and skills for individuals interested in either starting a career in in the GIS field or advancing in an existing career, similar to a focused workshop series. The master’s program involves 32 credit hours of coursework, including a focused capstone research project with a faculty adviser. The certificate provides an ideal bridge into the master’s program, if so desired.

A: Yes! A majority of the core material and lessons for each course is delivered asynchronously, so you can work on them as your busy schedule permits each week. While a selection of courses has synchronous sessions, faculty will work directly with you to better align with your complicated schedule!

A: You’ll submit your resume or CV, and an unofficial transcript from your bachelor’s degree, along with a few details about yourself. That’s it!

A: No. The Geography and Geographic Information Science Department has removed this requirement for all its graduate programs, on-campus and online!

A: We strive to evaluate applications to the certificate program within a week of their submission, if possible. Should we need additional information to complete the evaluation, we will contact you directly.

A: A student may secure private loans for this program, but because you are a non-degree seeking student, you are not eligible for financial aide through the FAFSA application.  Tuition waivers are not accepted for this program; statutory waivers such as military or federal waivers may be used.

Online Master’s Degree Program FAQ

A: Yes and no. This program may be of interest to those looking to transition into a career in GIS or data science science or allied field, or otherwise seek to gain more knowledge of concepts and expertise in GIS. Please contact us if you have specific questions or concerns about how this program might align with your career goals.

A: Yes! While you are welcome to apply directly for the online master’s degree, another option is to initially enroll in the certificate program, take a course or two, and then apply to the degree program. Once officially admitted to the online master’s program, courses taken toward the certificate will also be applied toward the degree requirements.

A: The full 32-credit hour graduate program will provide you a more robust and advanced skill-set, as well as research and project management skills because you are completing a 4 to 8-credit hour non-thesis capstone project with a faculty adviser supporting you on a topic of interest. The 12-credit hour graduate-level certificate is a micro-credential that gives you some updated skills or new skills you may not have acquired in a previous bachelor’s degree program. You may add either the micro-credential or graduate degree to your LinkedIn profile and resume for job hunting or advancement opportunities.

A: Yes! The core material and lessons for each course are delivered asynchronously, so you can work on them as your busy schedule permits each week. While most courses have a weekly synchronous lab session, we offer both daytime and evening section options, to better align with your schedule!

A: The online master’s program is a more applied degree specifically focused on helping you build and refine your knowledge and skills in the field of cyberGIS and geospatial data science. On-campus students have a different experience working with a particular faculty member on a specific thesis and a focus they select. While you will do a research-type project in this program (the capstone research course) you will not write a thesis, and your project will not be as extensive as the project in our on-campus master’s program. The on-campus and online degrees are equivalent in quality, rigor and both are recognized by the University of Illinois, they just have a different focus.

A: You’ll complete the application on the Graduate College website which will ask you to submit:
  • academic statement of purpose
  • three references
  • official transcript for your bachelor’s degree
  • TOEFL scores (if applicable)
  • resume/CV

A: We strive to evaluate applications to the master’s program as soon as possible. Once you have completed your application and all of your references, TOEFL scores (if applicable), official transcript from your bachelor’s degree, and resume/CV have been received, we will review your application materials and a decision will be made. This process may take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks. We will contact you should we need additional information. 

A: No. The Geography and Geographic Information Science Department has removed the requirement for all its graduate programs, on-campus and online!

A: There is the option to apply for student loans depending upon the course-load taken during the semester. Students should check with the financial aid office for more information.  Military benefits, statutory waivers and private scholarships may also be used.