Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Available OnlineUndergraduate Certificate
The UIU Advantage
Upper Iowa University offers a variety of certificate programs designed to provide students an additional method to learn new skills in a specific area. These certificate programs provide an opportunity for you to gain experience in a specific area by successfully completing a cluster of college credit classes. You may also choose to use the courses as part of a degree program.
Geographic Information Systems Curriculum (15 or 16 credits)
Select One of the Following:
- GEOG 200 World Regional Geography AND GEOG 258 Geography and GIS Lab
- OR GEOG 311 Cartography
Next, Select One of the Following Options:
Option 1:
- GEOG 358 Introduction to GIS
- GEOG 428 Remote Sensing
- GEOG 458 Intermediate GIS
Option 2:
- GEOG 356 GIS I with Lab
- GEOG 386 GIS II with Lab
- GEOG 426 Principles of Remote Sensing with Lab
- GEOG 456 GIS III with Lab
Explore Your Program
Geographic Information Systems Courses
See course descriptions for the classes you need for your GIS certificate.
Academic Calendar
Keep up with your academic program’s registration deadlines, session dates, holiday breaks and exam schedules.
A Certificate with Options
Use your certificate to enhance your career or as a head start towards your associate or bachelor’s degree. 96% of UIU graduates are employed or continuing their education within 12 months of graduation.

Convenient, Focused Scheduling
UIU Geographic Information Systems students have the advantage of focusing on fewer classes at once with the Two-at-a-Time schedule.
Admissions
Ready to get started on your UIU Geographic Information Systems certificate? We’re ready to help you every step of the way.
Go Further with an Associate/Bachelor's Degree
Earned your certificate? Choose from many UIU associate and bachelor’s degrees to advance your career even further.
General Certificate Information
Certificate Courses for Credit
You must complete an application for admission as a non-degree seeking student to pursue a certificate.
Acceptance into a UIU Certificate Program
- Students with no college experience must submit an Official High School Transcript or GED.
- Students with previous college experience must submit a copy of their Official High School Transcript/Diploma or GED, and copies of any previous college transcripts.
Students accepted into a UIU certificate program do not qualify for federal, state and institutional aid. Acceptance into a UIU certificate program does not guarantee admission into an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program.
Current Degree-Seeking UIU Students
Students may seek a certificate while working on their degree program. Your academic advisor can assist in coordinating certificate courses as part of your degree program. No additional application or paperwork is necessary to begin working on your certificate. Upon successful completion of all required courses in the certificate, a Certificate Claim Form must be completed. There is a certificate claim fee of $30. Certificates are awarded on the same dates as the established graduation dates published by the Registrar’s Office (catalog, “Graduation and Beyond”). Certificate completion will not be posted on the transcript.
Financial aid is only available to students who are degree-seeking with UIU and have gone through the standard application and award process. Financial aid is not available to non-degree seeking students pursuing certificates. Certificate courses must also apply to degree requirements to be eligible towards financial aid hours.
As with other course preparation, prerequisite courses represent foundational knowledge the student needs to be most successful. Your academic advisor can assist in the selection of the most appropriate sequence of courses to match your academic preparation.
Upper Iowa University will accept transfer credit towards the certificate, including courses taken at other accredited colleges/universities, experiential learning portfolio credit through UIU, and CLEP (catalog, “Transferring Credits”). The amount transferred and applied to the certificate will not exceed nine of the 15 credits (15/16 for GIS) required. A minimum of six semester credits through Upper Iowa University must be completed to earn an Upper Iowa University certificate. If transfer credit is being used for the certificate, an official transcript must be provided.