GIS students looking at map data on a computer monitor.

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Geographic Information Science MGIS Program

A map can show you where something is. But geographic information science helps you investigate why location matters. Interdisciplinary by nature, Geographic Information Science combines spatial data, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and analysis to reveal patterns across places and environments. In a field that’s growing at a rate of 10 percent per year, skilled geospatial workers are increasingly in high demand. Follow the coordinates to MTU and earn your Master of Geographic Information Science.

The Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students. Explore our Online Master's Program.

Who Is This Program For?

Consider the MGIS if you want to use location-based information to study environmental or human systems, strengthen your geospatial capabilities, or broaden a background in natural resources or another applied field. Its interdisciplinary focus may be especially useful for people interested in mapping, remote sensing, and spatial decision-making.

What You'll Study

Build a foundation in geospatial principles and analysis in our master of geographic information science program. Then, explore digital image processing, spatial modeling, and remote sensing. Your interdisciplinary studies will connect these methods and tools with statistics, communication, environmental policy, and business. Apply geographic information systems (GIS)—technology that combines hardware, software, and geographically referenced data—to identify spatial patterns, interpret relationships, and communicate findings that support informed decisions.

Where You'll Apply Your Knowledge and Skills

When location matters, geospatial information can reveal patterns that a conventional spreadsheet cannot. You can apply GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis to mapping wildlife habitat, assessing natural hazards, planning infrastructure, or examining changing land use and forest resources.

These methods also have applications in emergency planning, agriculture, land-records management, and location-based business decisions. Whatever your workplace, you'll use your MGIS degree to help transform geographically referenced data into maps and analyses that planners, resource managers, and other decision-makers can use.

Delivery Options
- Online: MGIS
- Accelerated: MGIS
- On-Campus: MGIS

Geographic Information Science Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the geographic information science program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Geographic Information Science is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MGIS, Geographic Information Science: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MGIS, Geographic Information Science: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MGIS, Geographic Information Science: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate Admissions. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MGIS, Geographic Information Science

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Online Programs

MGIS, Geographic Information Science (Online)

Realize your career goal in digital image processing, remote sensing, spatial modeling, and other facets of geographical information systems. Students in the Master of Geographical Information Science program can choose from a broad spectrum of courses relating to their area of interest. 30 credits (10 courses) can be completed in as few as five semesters.

See Online Master's in Geographic Information Science

Accelerated MGIS, Geographic Information Science (Online)

For Michigan Tech students with a Bachelor's degree, fast-track your career or speed progress toward advanced studies through an online Accelerated Master's Program. The program allows you to earn both a Bachelor's and Master's in as few as five years.

This online Accelerated Master’s program allows you to count up to 9 approved credits towards both degrees. It is designed for highly motivated students who wish to enter a mid-level position in their career after graduation or pursue doctoral studies. Set yourself up for success in an increasingly demanding job market with an online Accelerated Master’s from Michigan Tech.

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about geographic information science at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Mike Hyslop

Graduate Assistant

Marjorie Banovetz

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your Geographic Information Science MGIS. Sample areas include:

Digital Image Processing
Geographical Information Systems
Remote Sensing
Spatial Modeling

View the full listing for this program.

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 or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. Please note that international applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps.

Graduate Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate Admissions Requirements

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

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:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program-Specific Requirements

Program Specific

3 Letters of Recommendation (1 Letter of Recommendation for Michigan Tech students)
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GRE not required

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: Required 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

Recommended Deadline

Apply at least a semester in advance of projected admission to improve your chances of receiving funding.

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

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

1 Letter of Recommendation
Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
No GRE Required
Résumé/curriculum vitae

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Forestry
Applied Ecology
Wildlife Ecology
Natural Resource Management

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.

Who You'll Learn From and Work With

Learn from faculty whose expertise includes GIS, cartography, positioning systems, remote sensing, image processing, and spatial modeling.

Their work, which ranges from mapping riparian areas to analyzing drone imagery, demonstrates how spatial methods can help tackle tough environmental questions.

Where You'll Study and Do Research

When you pursue the Master of Geographic Information Systems, a program housed within Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, you'll have access to first-rate laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.

Faculty Spotlight

Gregory Odegard

Mike Hyslop
Teaching Professor, MGIS Program Director

"We use GIS to make timely, efficient, and cost-effective decisions."

With the development of user-friendly interfaces, powerful and affordable computer hardware and software, and widespread distribution of digital data, Maclean and other resource managers now have access to a broad array of spatial-analysis tools.

Program Faculty