Master of Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University

United States of America, Saint Louis

University Rank:#951

International students can study the Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University at its main campus in Saint Louis , United States of America. This Master degree is available as a Full Time program delivered on campus in English. The program has a duration of 2 years and is offered at the university's main campus. Students can apply for the next intake starting on August 23, 2027.

About Master of Geographic Information Science

Saint Louis University's master's program in geographic information science addresses an increasing demand for professionals with geospatial science skills. It offers a combination of geospatial theory and practical training.

SLU's interdisciplinary Master of Science (M.S.) in Geographic Information Science (GIScience), also known as Geospatial Science, from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Saint Louis University, is offered in cooperation with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and other departments that offer GIScience courses (e.g., Departments of Biology and Computer Science). The program combines geospatial theory and practical training in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and global positioning system software. The program prepares students to become experts well qualified to meet the increasing demand for experts in geospatial analytics, imaging science, photogrammetry, spatial statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As an interdisciplinary program, the M.S. in GIScience focuses on research to address environmental, social and economic issues.

Students apply GIS, remote sensing, geovisualization, spatial analysis and statistics, database management and GIS programming within natural science, social science and integrative human-environment domains using innovative technologies and software programs (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI+IDL, SARscape, Python, GeoDA, R).

Graduates will be able to define Geographic Information Science in terms of its key scientific themes and fields of application.
Graduates will be able to discuss how GIS and remote sensing is used to investigate problems related to sustainability and environmental science.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills needed to disseminate geographic information.
Graduates will be able to apply appropriate research design methods to address problems that are germane to the field of GIScience and applied geospatial analysis.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate practices and approaches for working effectively on team-based projects.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective cartographic/geovisualization skills employing principles of map design and graphic representation techniques.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of geospatial data in terms of Earth geometry, georeferencing systems, map projections, data quality, and metadata standards and practice.
Graduates will be able to compare and contrast different approaches to geospatial data modeling involving vector, raster, or hybrid representations.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate the use of relational database management systems as applied to geospatial data.
Graduates will be able to apply geometric measurement techniques to quantify distance, direction, shape, area, proximity, and connectivity of geospatial features.
Graduates will be able to apply basic analytical operations involving buffering, overlays, and map algebra.
Graduates will be able to apply advanced analytical methods including point pattern analysis, kernel density estimation, spatial cluster detection, network analysis, and multi-criteria evaluation.
Graduates will be able to apply surface analysis techniques to effectively represent continuous surfaces, calculate surface derivatives, analyze surface flow, and analyze intervisibility.
Graduates will be able to apply spatial statistics and geostatistics involving measures of spatial autocorrelation and spatial interpolation techniques.
Graduates will be able to explain the principles of active and passive remote sensing observation.
Graduates will be able to describe and interpret remote sensing spectra and imagery.
Graduates will be able to perform supervised, unsupervised and object based classification techniques using remote sensing data.
Graduates will be able to apply image processing techniques including radiometric correction, atmospheric correction, change detection, target detection, data fusion.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University

Entry Requirements

Completed application
Undergraduate degree (most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better)
Official transcript from a degree-granting institution
Statement of purpose (about 500 words)
Resume or curriculum vitae
External reference recommendations (encouraged but not required)

Upon admission, a new student must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first term coursework.

• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

English Requirements

PTEMin 54
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Geographic Information Science

Graduates from SLU's GIS master's program have a very good employment outlook. According to the Geospatial Information and Technology Association, employment in this field is growing at an annual rate of almost 35%, with the commercial subsection of the market expanding by 100% each year.

Recent graduates from this program have been employed by various environmental, remote sensing and GIS companies, including Bayer, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University

Application Fee 65

How to Apply for Master of Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University

Step 1: Accept or decline your admission

If you applied using SLU’s online graduate application, you can notify us about your decision to accept or decline your admission by logging in and clicking on “Manage Your Account.” From there, you can access the decision form.

If you’ve used a third-party, centralized application to apply — such as SOPHAS for public health programs or CASPA for physician administration programs — you’ll need to email us directly at [email protected] with your decision.

Step 2: Set up your SLU Net ID

Follow these step-by-step instructions to set up your SLU Net ID.

Step 3: Log into MySLU

Log into mySLU at auth.slu.edu. Use your SLU Net ID and SLU Net Password, then click "Login." Click on the "Tools" tab to find links to systems, such as Banner Self-Service and other SLU applications and systems.

When logging in for the first time, you will be directed to set up your multi-factor authentication. You will need to log in upon completing that process.

Step 4: Check with your academic department

Contact your department in order to receive enrollment directions, important dates and other information specific to your graduate program. You can also check the University calendar.

Step 5: Read the Saint Louis University Graduate Catalog

The Saint Louis University Graduate Catalog has useful information about life at SLU as a graduate student, including campus resources, academic policies and program curricula.

Step 6: Submit your immunization and health insurance forms

If you decide to attend SLU, you will need to submit your immunization records and health history. You will also need to submit a health plan enrollment/waiver form.

Step 7: Visit parking and card services to obtain your SLU ID card

You’ll use your SLU ID card to access student services and campus buildings such as the library. Make sure to bring a photo ID, along with a copy of your class schedule.

Step 8: Finalize your financial aid

If you plan to take out student loans, make sure you’ve filled out your FAFSA for the current year. Contact student financial services with any questions. For questions about assistantships, contact your program.

Master of Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University

United States of America, Saint Louis