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 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 Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology is designed to give you a strong foundation in both the theory and hands-on methods of GIS&T. This program caters to working professionals looking to advance their careers, as well as recent graduates eager to enter the fast-growing geospatial industry.
With 100% online coursework, you can study at your own pace from anywhere, allowing you to balance your education with work and personal commitments. Our continuously evolving curriculum covers the latest developments in GIS&T. It offers opportunities to apply your skills in real-world settings, helping you make an impact in areas such as urban planning, public health, environmental engineering, and climate science.
Apply NowCareer Pathways
NMSU Global Campus graduates in GIS&T are prepared to work in various fields, such as geospatial intelligence, urban and regional planning, water resources, climate science, and emergency management. Exciting career paths include:
- Environmental Consultant
- Geospatial Analyst
- Geospatial Information Scientist and Technologist
- GIS Developer
- Logistics Analyst
- Transportation Planner
“The professors I encountered were not just knowledgeable but also presented the coursework in a clear and concise manner. They were always available for guidance and support.”
Patsy G., Class of 2024
In the GIS&T program, you’ll learn to think spatially, geographically, and geospatially. You’ll also examine the ethical, social, and legal aspects of geospatial data use, preparing you to handle complex challenges with confidence. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing you to tackle real-world problems by acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting spatial data.
By the end of the program, you’ll have the knowledge and experience to create impactful spatial data products, conduct all stages of independent research, and communicate your findings effectively. The Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio included in the curriculum of this degree program allow you to personalize your learning experience, collaborate with external partners, and showcase your achievements as a geospatial professional.
Delivery Format: 100% online, synchronous and asynchronous coursesProgram 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 |
| EGEOG 582 Advanced Remote Sensing |
Credits: 4 |
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 GIS&T experience is common, but applicants from all fields with an interest in GIS&T are encouraged to apply. Applicants with a graduate minor in GIS&T (GPA of 3.0 or higher) may transfer credits to fulfill part of the GIS&T program requirements.
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.
Students in the GIS&T degree program at NMSU Global Campus are eligible for several awards and endowed scholarships, including the following:
– The James J. Parsons Award for Excellence in Thesis Research
– The Richard D. Wright Award for Excellence in Applied GIS
– The Robert and Beth Czerniak Outstanding Geography Graduate Student Endowed Scholarship
Find more information and details on how to apply from the Department of GES.
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.