Master of Geospatial Services at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston

University Rank:#384

Northeastern University offers the Master of Geospatial Services as a full-time degree delivered online at its Online campus in Boston, United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 1 year 6 months, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for geospatial services and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on January 1, 2027.

About Master of Geospatial Services

Experiential learning integration, using hands-on applications, challenges and encourages students to move out of their comfort zones to become independent scholars and well-informed citizens within a world driven by constant change.

Analysis of geospatial data accelerates innovative analysis and provides solutions to problems in multiple sectors such as:

GeoIntelligence and situational awareness
Catastrophe risk modeling for the insurance industry
Precision agriculture and boosting food production
Surveying (via drone collection)
Industrial asset inventory.

Northeastern’s Geospatial Services program is a member of the USGIF.

Check out some recent student projects and articles.

More Details

Unique Features

Online program allows for flexibility and remote learning
Hands-on experience working across multiple software environments, including commercial and open-source products, such as ESRI, ENVI, PCI Geomatica, GeoIntelligence, and project management software
Option to participate in co-op program, experiential learning, and capstone project

Program Objectives

Provide hands-on experience with software from ESRI, the industry leader in GIS
Improve the understanding of Internet GIS
Explore the fundamentals of remote sensing
Secure foundational skills in project management, system implementation, database development, and implementation
Evaluate the theoretical, mathematical, and computational foundations of GIS
Learn to effectively interpret and apply geographic information
Analyze cartographic principles
Study the legal, economic, and ethical issues associated with GIS
Examine practical applications of GIS to support geographic inquiry and decision making

Member of the USGIF

Northeastern’s Geospatial Services program is a member of the USGIF. The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation is the only organization dedicated to bringing together industry, academia, government, professional organizations, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and promote the education and importance of a national geospatial intelligence agenda.

Unique Transfer Credit Opportunity

Do you hold GEOINT Certification Program (GCP) credentials through the NGA under the authority of the Defense GEOINT (GCP-F, GPC IA-II, GPC CA-II or GPC GDM-II equivalent)? If yes, you can accelerate through the Master of Professional Studies in Geospatial Services at Northeastern University by applying your credential(s) in exchange for transfer credit.

Successful applicants can experience the following:

Receive up to 12 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 25% savings in tuition
Satisfy PDU credential requirements under the creditable graduate Academic Study category
Enjoy the convenience of a 100% online, interactive curriculum
Build your resumé and strengthen your skills in remote sensing (earth observation) and geospatial analytics.

Successful completion of the GCP applies to all cleared Department of Defense (DoD) civilian, military, and contractor practitioners in GEOINT-related work roles throughout the National System for Geospatial Intelligence. GCP can also apply to non-DoD members of the NSG with GEOINT equities.

Career Outlook

Trend data suggests that geographic information technology (GIT) is related to the overall increase in interest in big data analytics. GIT and related systems are able to capture and model all types of spatial and geographic data, often useful for business or government intelligence, location-enabled services, and the planning and management of logistics, among many other purposes. Analysts trained in GIT are well-informed in how to produce, aggregate, and manipulate geographic/spatial data in order to drive decisions or services in any number of fields or industries. With the advent of mobile technology, the utility of GIT and employment of analysts with this expertise is expected to grow.

Alumni Success

What are our graduates doing? Explore our alumni map, created in-house, which shows positions held by our recent GIT alumni around the globe.

Analytics in Action – Application of Data and Technology in Geospatial

Overview of Geospatial Services Program

The Master of Professional Studies in Geospatial Services enables students to acquire practical skills and theoretical essentials to lead with geographical (xyzt) data in the public and private sector. This program adapts to newly emerging technologies necessary to handle ever-increasing amounts of data, placing students at the leading edge of geospatial science.

Online program allows for flexibility and remote learning
Hands-on experience working across multiple software environments, including commercial and open-source products, such as ESRI, ENVI, PCI Geomatica, GeoIntelligence, and project management software
Option to participate in co-op program, experiential learning, and capstone project

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Geospatial Services at Northeastern University

Entry Requirements

Online application
Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
Professional resumé
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores

English Requirements

PTEMin 76
IELTSMin 8
TOEFLMin 108

English Program Requirements

Northeastern students will be exposed to not only a rigorous academic environment but also a fast-paced experiential one. In order to be successful in both, all first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern.

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Geospatial Services

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Geospatial Services at Northeastern University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Geospatial Services at Northeastern University

1.Create your application
Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.
2.Submit all required materials
Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.
3.Check your application status
Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.

Master of Geospatial Services at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston