Foundations in Geographic Information Science for Natural Resources Certificate

Programs Offered
- Certificate
Delivery Options
- Online
- On-Campus
- Accelerated
Credits
- 9 credits
Timeline
- One–three semesters

Enhance Geospatial Skills for Modern GIS and Remote Sensing

From wildfires and deforestation to droughts and flooding, understanding environmental challenges often begins with knowing where they're happening and how landscapes are changing.

Geographic information science (GIS) connects location-based data with other types of information to create maps, identify patterns, and support spatial analysis. Alongside remote sensing, GIS provides valuable tools for studying environmental conditions, monitoring natural resources, and informing decisions about their management.

Michigan Tech's on-campus and online Foundations in Geographic Information Science for Natural Resources Graduate Certificate introduces the tools and methods used to analyze geographic information and better understand environmental and natural resource challenges.

Who is This Certificate For?

This certificate is designed for professionals and degree-seeking students who want to develop GIS and remote sensing skills for natural resource management and related applications. It's particularly relevant to those working in or pursuing careers in environmental science, geography, geology, engineering, sustainability, surveying, and other fields relying on geospatial data. The certificate can also complement graduate study or be earned while pursuing the Master of Geographic Information Science (MGIS).

What You Need to Know

In the graduate certificate in foundations in geographic information science for natural resources, you will prepare, analyze, code, visualize, map, and process various geospatial datasets. In this curriculum, which integrates foundations in GIS and Remote Sensing, you'll build strong hands-on skills while working with open-source data and solving real-world problems.

Admissions

To enroll in this certificate program, students must have a preferred major of natural resource, surveying, geography, or civil and environmental engineering, but other majors will be considered. See complete admissions requirements.

Accelerated Option

Michigan Tech Bachelor's + 1 Semester = Accelerated Graduate Certificate

Current Michigan Tech undergraduates or recent alumni, get started right away. Our accelerated graduate certificates are a fast, affordable way to add graduate credentials to your bachelor's degree in as little as one semester. Be more marketable in your industry or prepare for your master's degree. Explore accelerated certificate options.

Online Option

Accredited Courses, Convenience

Online learning at Michigan Tech provides greater flexibility and can fit around your busy schedule wherever you are. Upgrade or change your career path.

Prospective students can also earn an online graduate certificate in Foundations in Geographic Information Science For Natural Resources.

Credits

This graduate certificate requires a minimum of 9 total credits. Students may apply the credits earned for this certificate toward a graduate degree at Michigan Tech.

Contact

Graduate Director

Parth Bhatt

Graduate Assistant

Marjorie Banovetz

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Using a holistic approach, our graduate admissions team reviews applications on an individual and ongoing basis. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, but you will need to upload them later.

Graduate Admissions Process

Applying to your graduate program is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to your program as either a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you must

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Official Transcripts

Program-Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
GMAT/GRE: Not required
Preferred major: Natural resource, surveying, geography, or civil and environmental engineering preferred, but other majors will be considered.

International Students

TOEFL scores as of January 21, 2026: Recommended Score of 4.5
- For tests taken before January 21, 2026: Recommended Score of 79 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 6.5

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 4.5 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Certificate Admissions

Prospective Students

Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan Tech (less than two years).
The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.

Current Graduate Students

Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. We offer over 125 graduate certificates, master's degrees, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.