Master of Science in Geographic Information Science

Saint Louis University’s master’s program in geographic information science addresses an increasing demand for professionals with geospatial science skills. It offers a combination of geospatial theory and practical training. SLU's interdisciplinary Master of Science in Geographic Information Science, also known as geospatial science, from the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Science, is offered in cooperation with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and other departments that offer GIScience courses such as the departments of biology and computer science. The program combines geospatial theory and practical training in geographic information systems, remote sensing and global positioning system, or GPS, software. The program prepares students to become experts who are well-qualified to meet the increasing demand for experts in geospatial analytics, imaging science, photogrammetry, spatial statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As an interdisciplinary program, the M.S. in GIScience focuses on research to address environmental, social and economic issues.  Students apply GIS, remote sensing, geovisualization, spatial analysis and statistics, database management and GIS programming within natural science, social science and integrative human-environment domains using innovative technologies and software programs (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI+IDL, SARscape, Python, GeoDA, R). Graduates will be able to define geographic information science in terms of its key scientific themes and fields of application. Graduates will be able to discuss how GIS and remote sensing are used to investigate problems related to sustainability and environmental science. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills needed to disseminate geographic information. 

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes Senior GIS Analyst, Geospatial Data Scientist, Remote Sensing Specialist,  Spatial Database Administrator, Geospatial Software Developer, Cartographic Designer (Advanced Roles), Urban & Regional Planning Specialist (GIS), Environmental GIS Specialist, Disaster Risk Management GIS Specialist, Natural Resource GIS Manager, Transportation Systems Analyst, Marine & Coastal GIS Specialist, Climate Change & Sustainability GIS Analyst, Public Health GIS Specialist, Hydrology & Water Resource GIS Specialist, Defense & Intelligence Geospatial Analyst, Forestry & Agriculture GIS Specialist, Utility & Infrastructure GIS Manager, Smart City GIS Planner, Location Intelligence Consultant,Geospatial AI/ML Specialist, Geospatial Policy Analyst, Drone Mapping & UAS Program Manager.