Cartography and Geographic Information Systems MS

The Department of Geography offers a thesis-based master of science in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, titled Thesis. In addition, it offers two professional non-thesis options in the Cartography and Geographic Information Systems M.S. titled:GIS Development (online program) and Accelerated/ Non-Thesis (in-residence program).

Information about facilities, supporting faculty and staff, and program requirements for all graduate programs in the department can be found in the Geography listing in this catalog.

The M.S. (Thesis) in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems provides a broad foundation in the theory and application of mapping and geographic information sciences. Students who earn the M.S. (Thesis) degree are prepared to continue on for the Ph.D. in geography or for positions in government agencies, planning organizations, environmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private industry.

1. Articulates, critiques, or elaborates the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry or schools of practice in cartography and GIScience.
2. Identifies sources and assembles evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in cartography/GIScience.
3. Demonstrates understanding of cartography/GIScience in a historical, social, or global context.
4. Selects and/or utilizes the most appropriate methodologies and practices.
5. Evaluates or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in cartography/GIScience.
6. Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to cartography/GIScience.
7. Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution is required. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree. You must have completed your undergraduate degree, or similar, before starting graduate school.

A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. Applicants from an international institution must demonstrate strong academic achievement comparable to a 3.00 for an undergraduate or master’s degree. The Graduate School will use your institution’s grading scale. Do not convert your grades to a 4.00 scale.

Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score. TOEFL scores must be submitted electronically via ETS. IELTS scores can be submitted electronically or by paper.  Our office address is: UW-Madison Graduate School, Office of Admissions, 232 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706.  Your score will not be accepted if it is more than two years old from the start of your admission term. Country of citizenship does not exempt applicants from this requirement. Language of instruction at the college or university level and how recent the language instruction was taken are the determining factors in meeting this requirement.

Applicants are exempt if: