At UMBC, GIS isn’t just a technology we show how to use —it’s something we do. Our students and faculty are active in the field, tackling real-world problems through teaching, research, and community-driven projects. Every course is built with applied learning at its core, designed to reflect the pace, tools, and challenges of today’s modern workplace you will be working in. Whether you’re just getting started or already in the field, you’ll work on projects and assignment that mimic what you will actually do at your job.
We don’t do general syllabi that is mysterious or offer vague knowledge you will gain. Our site showcases actual student work, class projects, and full course syllabi, so you can see exactly what you’re getting into — and why it’s worth it. Take a look around, explore what we’re offering, and see how you can plug into a program that’s designed to make you ready for what’s next.
To back what we say… hear it straight from our students. In the videos below, they share what it’s really like to be in the program, what they’ve learned, and why it matters. No scripts, just real talk from the people who’ve lived it.
Student Perspectives – The Real Info!
Thinking about joining the UMBC GIS program? Don’t just take our word for it—see and hear what the experience is really like. These videos give you a behind-the-scenes look at the program, featuring real student voices, course insights, and the thinking how the program shaped their thinking and skills.
GES 666: Just Maps -Critical & Ethical Aspects of Mapping
GIS Certificate: The Professional Analyst’ Starter Pack
GIS Program: Navigating the GIS Journey
GIS Program: Applications in Today’s Society
Generative AI (GenAI) in the Program
Our curriculum is designed to systematically teach responsible use of Generative AI to maintain competitiveness in the workforce. All programs teach GenAI, but typically from class to class. Our program systematically brings GenAI into the program as part of its curriculum.
Visit our GenAI page for more details, or for a more in-depth perspective, read the Working Paper for the program.
Current AI in Education from the News!
2025-06-30: The CEO of a $62B data and AI company says people underestimate how hard it is to completely automate tasks
2025-06-09: Ohio State says every student will become fluent in AI
2025-05-02: Human Brain vs. AI: What makes better decisions?
Undergraduate Programs
GIScience Certificate
The graduate certificate in GIS is a practical launchpad for building the technical and analytical skills needed to work confidently with geographic data and spatial tools. Designed for working professionals, it offers a direct way to sharpen your GIS abilities, update your toolkit, and stay competitive in a workforce where spatial thinking and data literacy are increasingly in demand. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your current role, pivot into spatial analysis, or bring a location-based perspective into your organization, the certificate delivers focused, hands-on training that gets to the point —and gets results.
Why Six Courses?
Some programs offer four-course certificates. Ours includes six—by design. That’s because building real GIS fluency takes more than surface-level exposure. Our students get time to explore multiple software platforms, automate analysis with code, and connect spatial tools to the real-world questions they care about. The result? A more complete, employer-ready credential without the time or cost of a full degree.
Not Just for Geographers or GISers
The certificate is also an excellent option for graduate students and researchers in other academic fields—public policy, data science, economics, public health, sociology, and beyond —who want to integrate spatial thinking into their work. Through applied coursework using tools like ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Python, and R, students learn to connect theory with practice, automate workflows, and critically engage with geographic data. It’s a flexible credential that opens up new research pathways, collaboration opportunities, and practical applications in both academic and professional settings.
Learn more about the GIScience Certificate
Graduate Programs
M.P.S. in Geographic Information Systems
The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Geographic Information Systems is designed for professionals who want to advance beyond technical skill-building to develop a strategic, interdisciplinary understanding of how spatial technologies shape real-world outcomes. The degree prepares you to lead complex projects, integrate geospatial thinking into organizational decision-making, and apply GIS in areas like planning, environment, health, and logistics. Through advanced coursework and a capstone project, you’ll build a portfolio that reflects both depth of knowledge and the ability to apply GIS at scale across sectors. Since the degree is in professional studies, students will also gain skills in superior communication of their work -orally, written, graphically- to be more influential with their work.