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Geographic Information Systems Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Graduate Programs
Program OverviewGeography and Environmental Systems Ph.D.Certificate

Why Earn Your Certificate in Geographic Information Systems?

Learn or update your skills with a foundation of spatial knowledge and technical skills for careers that employ spatial computing and dynamic visualization.

The post-baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Systems applies critical GIS toward improving the lives of people, society, and the environment. Students will gain an understanding of essential geographic principles and concepts needed to solve problems in nearly any industry or academic discipline. Completing the certificate instills a foundation of spatial knowledge and technical skills for careers that employ spatial computing.

Students are able to earn this certificate first and then choose to transfer all of the credits into a Master’s of Professional Studies in Geographic Information Systems.

At a Glance

Geographic Information Systems Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Terms of Admission:
Fall, Spring

Campus Locations:
Catonsville

Schedule:
Part-time

Department:
Department of Geography & Environmental Systems, Office of Professional Programs

College:
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Division of Professional Studies

Program Designations:
Professional Programs
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FINANCIAL AID ↓HOW TO APPLY ↓APPLICATION DEADLINES ↓PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ↓PROGRAM CONTACTS ↓

What Are My Career Options Studying Geographic Information Systems?

Geographic Information Science

Based on real UMBC graduates*

11 Graduates
$95,968 Median Salary
Data shown for graduates 2011–2026.

Top Job Titles

  • LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
    1
    Graduates
    $90k
    Median Salary
  • SOFTWARE ENGINEER
    1
    Graduates
    $96k
    Median Salary
  • PROJECT MANAGER
    1
    Graduates
    $105k
    Median Salary
  • TEST ENGINEER
    1
    Graduates
    $96k
    Median Salary
  • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR
    1
    Graduates
    $33k
    Median Salary
  • PROGRAM MANAGER
    1
    Graduates
    $151k
    Median Salary
  • SPECIAL TECHNICAL OPERATIONS OFFICER
    1
    Graduates
    N/A
    Median Salary
  • EVALUATOR
    1
    Graduates
    $98k
    Median Salary
  • CHAIR NORTH AMERICAN REGION OF THE COMMISSION ON ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT CEM
    1
    Graduates
    N/A
    Median Salary

Salary Distribution

Top Employers

  1. KIMMEL STUDIO ARCHITECTS 1
  2. RESOLUTE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - MARYLAND 1
  3. SHELADIA ASSOCIATES INC. 1
  4. LEIDOS 1
  5. LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION 1
  6. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND 1
  7. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DOE 1
  8. CPHA CITIZENS PLANNING & HOUSING ASSOCIATION 1
  9. OFFICE OF PROGRAM EVALUATION & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, DEPT. OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES 1
  10. IUCN COMMISSION ON ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT 1

Top Industries

Job Categories

Top Locations

  1. ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 2
  2. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 2
  3. BOWIE, MARYLAND 1
  4. FREDERICK, MARYLAND 1
  5. WOODBINE, MARYLAND 1

* Outcomes reflect graduates Steppingblocks could match to public career data, so totals may not represent every graduate in the program. Salary figures are based only on graduates with salary data available.

Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid

Find opportunities to further advance your career and academic studies.

UMBC participates in all federal and state student financial aid programs and offers scholarships and assistantships through the Graduate School, Graduate Departments and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

2025–2026 Graduate Cost Calculator Graduate Assistantships Fellowships Funding Your Education

Ready to Apply?

1

Review Geographic Information Systems Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree and 3.0 GPA (Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may be admitted to the Certificate program)
  • Statement outlining the student’s goals and expectations in the program
  • Current resume
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (MPS only; Optional for Certificate)
  • Official transcript(s) from each college & university attended
  • GRE is not required
  • English proficiency testing (TOEFL/ IELTS) is required for international students.

Please visit our website for detailed admissions requirements.

2

Start Your Graduate Admissions Application

Please note that application decisions can take 6-8 weeks after the program’s deadline, and depend on how many applications a department receives. You will receive an email once the department processes your decision letter. You will be able to see your decision letter by logging in to the application website. Your decision letter will be where the application checklist was. You may also check your recommendation statuses to send reminders or update contact information from the user page. If you are having trouble logging back in, you can recover your account.

3

Have Questions?

Please contact the appropriate Graduate School staff member for assistance, or contact our Main Office at gradschool@umbc.edu or 410-455-2537.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester

All Students:
Apply by August 1

Spring Semester

All Students:
Apply by December 1

UMBC Graduate School Application UMBC Grad School Admissions Info UMBC Grad School Admissions Policies

Contact Information

Geographic Information Systems Program Contacts

Main Contact

Admissions
gis@umbc.edu

Graduate Program Director

Dillon Mahmoudi
dillonm@umbc.edu

Assistant Graduate Program Director

Ron Wilson
rwilson@umbc.edu

Program Coordinator

Current Student Help
opp-studentsuccess@umbc.edu

UMBC Graduate School Admissions Office Contact Information

Mailing Address

UMBC Graduate School
1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250

Admissions Staff

Staff are available from
Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 410-455-2537

Request Help

Email Graduate Admissions at gradschool@umbc.edu.

Visit Official Program WebsiteView Course Catalog Entry

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