Program Quick Facts
New Master's for Fall 2025
Our first GIS&T master’s degree program begins in the Fall 2025 semester. Start getting ready now!
100% Online
Flexible, online classes make it easier to reach your goals while balancing work and family life.
Renowned Faculty
Our respected NMSU faculty are committed to helping you develop the skills to succeed in the rapidly growing field of GIS&T.
Advance Your Career in GIS&T
The online Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T) provides a strong foundation in geospatial theory, methods, and tools — combining academic rigor with hands-on application. Designed for working professionals and recent graduates, this flexible program helps you build career-ready skills from anywhere.
You’ll gain experience analyzing and applying spatial data to solve real-world challenges in fields like urban planning, public health, environmental science, and emergency management. With 100% online coursework, you can learn at your own pace while balancing school, work, and life commitments.
Apply NowCareer Pathways
Graduates of NMSU’s Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T) are prepared for impactful careers across diverse industries. These include urban and regional planning, natural resource management, public health and epidemiology, emergency and disaster management, surveying and engineering, geospatial intelligence, and environmental science. Potential career roles include:
- GIS Analyst
- GIS Developer
- Remote Sensing Specialist
- Transportation Planner
- Environmental Consultant
- Spatial Epidemiologist
- Risk Analyst
“NMSU Global Campus can benefit you by allowing you to continue as a full-time employee, stay-at-home parent, or caretaker while earning your degree. It’s an excellent resource if you are a nontraditional student. “
Patsy G., Class of 2024
The online Master of Science in Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIS&T) at NMSU Global Campus equips you with the tools to think spatially and geospatially while applying ethical, legal, and social perspectives to the use of geospatial data. Designed for working professionals, this 100% online program prepares you to tackle complex challenges across industries using the latest GIS tools and techniques.
Through applied learning, you’ll gain hands-on experience acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting spatial data to solve real-world problems. You’ll also develop the ability to communicate findings clearly and create professional spatial data products used in decision-making across sectors like government, environmental science, and urban planning.
A required Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio allow you to personalize your learning experience, collaborate with external partners, and graduate with a marketable body of work that reflects your GIS expertise.
Delivery Format: 100% online
Program Credits: 30 credits
Program Length: 2 years full-time
Cost Per Credit Hour: $444.40**
Active Military Cost Per Credit Hour: $250*
College: Arts and Sciences
Fill out the form to talk to an advisor.
The Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T) program consists of 30-31 graduate credits, including 20 core credits, 3-4 elective credits, and 7 credits dedicated to completing a Capstone Project and a Professional Portfolio. The program does not require a thesis, and all courses are delivered in 8-week formats, making it easier for you to progress at your own pace.
The Capstone Project (6 credits) allows you to design and implement a GIS&T project tailored to your interests and expertise. With guidance from a faculty advisor and in collaboration with an external partner, you’ll complete a written technical report, peer-reviewed publication, or comparable document and present your findings at our Digital Symposium, a public event hosted at the end of each semester for our external partners and the geospatial community at NMSU.
The Professional Portfolio (1 credit) is your opportunity to digitally showcase your accomplishments and expertise in geographic information science and technology.
Program Roadmap
This roadmap outlines the recommended courses to take each term in order to complete your program on time. Not all courses are available each term. Please speak with your advisor to coordinate the best schedule for you.
| Fall 1 | GEOG 578 Fundamentals of GIS |
Credits: 4 |
| GEOG 573 Introduction to Remote Sensing |
Credits: 4 |
| Spring 1 | GEOG 571 Cartography and GIS |
Credits: 4 |
| GEOG 542 Programming for GIS&T |
Credits: 3 |
| Summer 1 | GEOG 505 Capstone I – Geospatial Research Design |
Credits: 3 |
| GEOG 545 Geospatial Professionalism |
Credits: 2 |
| Fall 2 | GEOG 585 Spatial Analysis and Modeling |
Credits: 3 |
| GEOG 582 Advanced Remote Sensing |
Credits: 4 |
| Spring 2 | GEOG 506 Capstone II – Geospatial Research Implementation |
Credits: 3 |
| GEOG 544 GIS&T Professional Portfolio |
Credits: 1 |
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate coursework
- Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5-3.0 may be admitted provisionally if they have significant professional experience.
- Students who are admitted provisionally must complete their first three courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to avoid dismissal from the program.
A STEM background or experience with GIS tools is common, but not required. We welcome applicants from all fields who are interested in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T).
Applicants who have completed recent GIS-related courses (within the past five years) with a grade of B or better may request transfer credit. If your coursework is older, you may still qualify based on current professional GIS experience. Contact the Graduate Program Director to request a review.
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
Enrolled students who demonstrate excellent progress in the GIS&T degree program may be eligible for modest awards and endowed scholarships from the NMSU Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, such as:
– The Robert and Beth Czerniak Outstanding Geography Graduate Student Endowed Scholarship
– The James J. Parsons Award for Excellence in Thesis Research
– The Richard D. Wright Award for Excellence in Applied GIS
NMSU and NMSU Global Campus students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: globalFA@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.
*Terms and conditions apply.
**For NMSU Global Campus programs and courses, the per credit hour cost is listed above. Special tuition agreements (Western Undergraduate Exchange, Descubre, etc.) are not applicable to NMSU Global Campus programs. Course fees still apply and are charged separately. Textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc., are additional program costs. Additional per credit costs might be charged by the program, department or college.