Master's in GIST

Master of Science in GIST (MS-GIST)


Lead the Geospatial Revolution: Excel in Your Field with Our Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems Technology (MS-GIST), Flexible for Online or In-Person Studies

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"MS-GIST from UA polished my GIS programming abilities and improved my analytical and GIS problem solving skills to great deal.”   - Naveed Ahmed, Alum

The University of Arizona's MS-GIST in person program, out of the School of Geography, Development and Environment, is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for a new in person cohort for Fall 2025. 
 
These afternoon courses will be on the main campus of UArizona in the Spatial Analysis Lab (SAL) located in the ENR2 building. Students will attend in-person lectures and labs conducted by our instructors and will have access to individual computers with exceptional technical specifications, dual monitors and pre-installed software for use in all our courses.

Program Costs

You can look up the costs of the program using the Bursar's tuition calculator

Cutting-Edge Geospatial Excellence

The Master's of Science in Geographic Information Systems Technology provides training for those seeking employment in the high growing geospatial industry. Geographic information is used across a wide range of fields, from real estate and marketing to urban and environmental planning. That is why the US Department of Labor suggests that geographic information-related positions will grow by almost 30% over the next ten years, making this field one of the fastest growing in the United States. This comprehensive program trains students in the advanced skills to take up geographic-information related positions across the wide range of industries employing these professionals. The program is designed for students with both limited and advanced skills in geographic information science and technology. The program does not require a graduate record exam (GRE) and it can be completed with 18-months or over a longer-period of time through part-time enrollment.

GIST programs at the University of Arizona emphasize cutting-edge trends and have become some of the largest and most successful programs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Our newly redesigned graduate curricula respond to emerging technologies in GIST-related fields, focusing on web, mobile and open source applications to ensure graduates are ready for an ever-evolving workplace.

Arizona is dedicated to offering the highest-quality GIST programs available, both in person and online. That’s why our programs meet the standards of the GIST Body of Knowledge compiled by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, which guarantees the program provides a comprehensive overview of GIST topics such as programming and development, data capture and management, analytics and modeling, and cartography and visualization.

The comprehensive curriculum is designed to meet the educational needs of working professionals seeking to improve their careers and for recent graduates seeking employment.

Beginning in Fall 2025, the Master's program will be amended to include two emphases and an adjusted course schedule. Please see our degree requirements page for more information.
 

Application Dates and Deadlines Degree Requirements

Learning Environments

MS-GIST Online 

Start in Fall or Spring

Course Schedule

More Information Apply

MS-GIST In-Person 

Day Classes, Start in Fall Only

Course Schedule

More Information Apply

Core Skills

  • ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
  • Cartography
  • Data modeling and automation
  • Data science
  • Data visualization
  • Geoprocessing and geodatabases
  • LiDAR and drones
  • Open source programming
  • Python programming
  • Web mapping

Career Outcomes

  • GIS Analysis and Mapping
  • Remote Sensing and Imagery Analysis
  • Geospatial Data Management
  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Environmental Management and Conservation
  • Transportation and Logistics
  • Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
  • Public Health and Epidemiology
  • Emergency Management and Disaster Response
  • Geospatial Technology Development and Consulting

 

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