Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Be part of a strong tradition. Meet your learning needs. Map your GIS career with UW–Madison.

Whether a GIS newbie or an experienced power user, you’ve come to the right place—the birthplace of American academic cartography. UW–Madison sits at the center of research and teaching in the map sciences. Our GIS Professional Programs continue a long tradition and offer multiple entry points to a lucrative career.

A growing field, GIS is applied in more ways than you might imagine. Geosciences and cartography—yes! But GIS is also used in journalism, sociology, ecology, public health, engineering, insurance, and urban design, to name just a few. Our programs open your career up to a world of possibilities.

Jump in at any point with curriculum that builds on itself and helps you construct your perfect profession. Some call this “stackable.” We call it customized lifelong learning. And, with hundreds of students and alumni around the globe in our growing GIS family, you’ll be among Badger friends no matter where you are.

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GIS Fundamentals

Capstone Certificate in GIS Fundamentals
Learn core competencies for your first GIS gig while keeping your job. Flexible and fully online, this 12-credit certificate can help you switch to the fast-growing GIS industry or apply spatial analysis to your current field of work. Get this certificate and dive in to your GIS career.

Delivery method: 100% online—learn at your own pace, on your own schedule
Time to completion: 1-3 semesters
Fall application deadline: Applications accepted during each term
Experience: No GIS courses or experience required

GIS Development

Master of Science in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
We’ve been teaching this master’s degree for over a decade. Now, we’re offering it online. Learn programming, software development, and web map scripting. Leave with a project for your portfolio—no thesis required. Earn a degree of distinction from a world-renowned geography department.

Delivery method: 100% online—learn at your own pace, on your own schedule
Time to completion: 1-2 years
Fall application deadline: Applications accepted during each term
Experience: No GIS courses or experience required

Advanced GIS

Capstone Certificate in Advanced GIS
Ready to take your skills to the next level? Get advanced, customized GIS knowledge at your doorstep. Pick three upper-level courses. Perfect for updating your current GIS skills or learning something new. Want more? Transfer all 12 credits from this certificate into our master’s program.

Delivery method: 100% online—learn at your own pace, on your own schedule
Time to completion: 1-3 semesters
Fall application deadline: Applications accepted during each term
Experience: No GIS courses or experience required

Cartography and Geographic Information Systems

Master of Science in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
Come study in historic Science Hall on the UW–Madison campus. Become a GIS rock star in as little as one year. This is all about competency building. Take core courses and electives relevant to your career goals. Get your distinguished degree without writing a thesis.

Delivery method: Face-to-face at UW–Madison
Time to completion: 1 year
Fall application deadline: June 1
Spring application deadline: Oct. 1
Experience: No GIS courses or experience required