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Program office: (monitored by GIS staff) gisonline@uwf.edu

Program Advisor: Amber Bloechle abloechle@uwfTrisha Holtzclaw tholtzclaw@uwf.edu and Leigh Jeudevine ljeudevine1@uwf.edu  

Program Director: Amber Bloechle (BLAKE-lee) abloechle@uwf.edu 

Steps to Apply: 

  1. Complete a UWF graduate non-degree application and be sure to select GIS Certificate as your program of interest which will declare the Graduate GIS Certificate. 
    1. Submit a letter of intent/interest. You can save the application progress without it but it won't be considered "completed" or "ready for review" until you've submitted the required documents. See letter of interest guidelines below.
    2. Questions? Contact: gradadmissions@uwf.edu
    3. Selecting the Graduate GIS Certificate program option in the application will automatically "declare" your program.  If you selected a different program, contact the admissions office or gisonline@uwf.edu to "declare" the GIS Certificate program.
    4. Once your application is submitted, 24-48 hours later, you will be assigned a UWF ID Number.  A GIS Advising hold will also be placed on your student record preventing enrollment.
  2. Visit MyUWF > Application Status to view the Admissions Checklist and provide the required documents:
    1. A brief letter of interest addressing the Program Director, Amber Bloechle.
    2. If you've taken college GIS courses at an accredited institution you would like for us to consider, please submit your transcripts or email an unofficial copy to gisonline@uwf.edu.
  3. Be on the lookout for an email from gisonline@uwf.edu regarding your GIS program admission decision and the next steps. Upon acceptance, new students are required to meet with a program advisor and the GIS Advising hold can be lifted.

Letter of Intent Guidelines:

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  1. Review the following information about online GIS Certificate Courses Details and Expectations. All students will be asked to agree to the statements listed below.
  2. Contact Amber Bloechle, program advisor , via via Navigate 
    1. Students seeking to declare the Graduate Certificate need to provide:
      1. A brief letter of interest addressing the Program Director, Amber Bloechle.
      2. If you've taken college GIS courses at an accredited institution you would like for us to consider, please submit your transcripts (an unofficial copy is acceptable).
      3. Be on the lookout for an email from gisonline@uwf.edu regarding your GIS program admission decision and the next steps.
      4. Upon acceptance, your advisor will initiate a Graduate Certificate Declaration form which must be signed by the student (sent to @student.uwf.edu email address).
    2. Students seeking to enroll in a single online Graduate GIS course, contact the program advisor to request permission to enroll. Include your student ID in correspondence,  list any prior GIS courses taken, and include the course section details you're interested in enrolling in.  Program level approval is required.
    3. MS Environmental Science students enrolled in any one of our 3 master's programs are permitted to enroll in the following online GIS courses: GIS5050/L (pre-req for all), GIS5007/L, GIS5027/L, GIS5103, GIS5100 (best taken after GIS5103). If you run into a registration error, contact the program advisor. There is no need to apply when taking courses listed as options on your degree audit. You will be expected to agree to the statements listed below.

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  • Course Descriptions:
    • All GIS courses are described in further detail on the Graduate GIS Certificate program catalog page by clicking on the course prefix link.  Descriptions speak to both online and Pensacola Campus course sections.
    • We use industry-standard GIS software including ArcGIS Pro and ERDAS. We teach Python for GIS Programming.
    • Courses include readings, lectures, and lab assignments that teach students the theory, concepts, and software skills to conduct Geographic Information Science. Lab assignments are developed by program faculty and staff and are designed to teach students real-world applications. Graduate-level students are not expected to have a higher-level knowledge or experience with GIS. Graduate students are called on to lead discussion, offer tips, and conduct further research on certain topics. Different types of deliverables may be expected at times (video, written summary, ArcGIS Online Storymap presentation vs ppt., etc).
    • GIS courses are designed with the expectation that students are pursuing the Grad GIS Certificate program and enrolling in all online GIS courses following a prescribed/ideal course sequence.  GIS5050/L is a prerequisite course for all other GIS offerings and is the first class most students will begin with.
    • All online GIS courses follow the Quality Matters instructional design rubric and several have met or exceeded standards in the peer-reviewed course certification process. The Earth and Environmental Sciences department has been offering GIS courses online since 2006 and providing remote access to software through virtual machine technology for several years.
    • Visit the GIS@UWF blog site student spotlight posts for an idea of what students are doing in our courses.  See GIS Student Blog List link at the top right of the page for more.
  • Course Duration: Online GIS courses are offered during the standard parts of terms 2 and 3. POT2 is the first half (8 weeks) and POT3 is the second half (last 8 weeks). We use the same parts of terms for Summer but the weeks are shorter (6.5 weeks). GIS Internship is the only course offered as a full part of term 1. See the UWF Academic Course Calendar for details.
  • Cost: $630 for graduate course credits as seen on the 2nd page of the tuition rates document provided on the UWF Controller's office Tution and Fees page.
  • Time Commitment: Expect to spend at least 10 hours per week in all GIS courses (maybe more). Learning GIS takes a lot of time and involves trial and error. 
  • Course Format: Asynchronous.
    • Courses are taught completely online via Canvas including access to software via Argo Apps for GIS (links to info and required training). Students are never required to visit our Pensacola Campus or attend class virtually at a particular time.
    • Lecture videos and assignments are available on the course site for students to review and complete independently within the provided timeframes and corresponding due dates. Most modules open early in the week where assignments are due within ~10 days of the module start date. 
    • Course content builds on previous lessons and assignments. It's important to complete all GIS course assignments in the order provided. Some instructors allow students to work ahead but should not be expected for all courses. Students are expected to contact their instructor if they have planned or unplanned class absences that will prevent them from submitting work on time (work trip, vacation, etc).  More details are provided on the course syllabus.
    • The GIS lab on the Pensacola Campus is open to all GIS students during open lab hours.
  • Classmates: Students in both undergraduate and graduate level sections access the same Canvas course site, and materials, and participate in class together. Graduate-level students will be expected to complete special assignments as clearly defined on the course site and syllabus. Students have the opportunity to communicate with one another (and with instructors) on the Canvas course open forum/help Discussion.  A dedicated help form is provided with each module where students are encouraged to post questions about course content and assignments. GIS students in our online GIS programs come from different backgrounds and experience levels. We host a mix of students new to GIS and those who are already working in GIS positions. Most students work and are juggling work/life/school. Students can see what other students create in courses through their GIS Blog sites.  UWF GIS will post current and alumni student spotlights as well as other relevant info to our UWF GIS Blog site, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages. 
  • Instructors: Online GIS courses are taught by GIS faculty and adjuncts who teach primarily online and specifically for our programs.  Adjuncts are working professionals in the field who bring real-world experience to our courses. Course topics and applications are varied to meet the needs of our students coming from and going into different industries. Expect to learn a lot from your instructors and classmates. Instructors and TA (if assigned) offer virtual office hours for students to optionally attend and ask questions. These are typically held in the evenings as most students work during the day. Students to attend the virtual office hours regularly tend to know what is going on in class and do well.  Outside of the course site and virtual office hours, instructors are available by email and appointment when needed.
  • Prerequisites - Special Technology/Hardware/Skills Requirements:
    • In order to participate in our online courses, students MUST have access to their own laptop or personal computer, speakers, microphone or headset, and consistent broadband internet access (high-speed). A mouse is highly recommended for those using a laptop. Access to software, required to participate in GIS courses, is provided to students through Argo Apps for GIS virtual machines (training/quiz required to access). GIS User quiz complete is required for access via MyUWF > SCOOP. 
    • A high-speed internet connection is required for an optimal experience while using Argo Apps. Consistent access to the internet is required to participate in online courses.
    • We offer students access to the software for optional local installation but your computer should should meet the minimal hardware requirements for Esri ArcGIS Pro 23.8 3 software. Our ITS help desk and GIS staff cannot support software installed locally on a student's personal machine.  Students will need to reach Esri technical support regarding any issues.
    • We don't require previous knowledge or experience in GIS but it's important to possess both Minimal Technology Skills and Requirements and  Basic Computer Skills for GIS. This is a very technical program and we will not have time to teach basic skills. 
    • Certain aspects of GIS software require students to have sight and hand-eye coordination (certain abilities) to practice GIS and use the software (any GIS software).  Students with colorblindness have done well in our program and should not be too concerned. If you have a disability that impacts your full participation in a course you've enrolled in, please contact the Student Accessibility Resources at 850-474-2387 or by email, sar@uwf.edu for additional support.
    • Reading and writing are the main ways you'll communicate in our online courses. All materials and communication will be conducted in the English language. Adhering to basic computer ethics and professionalism will be expected by all. A guide for GIS students on how to Get Help Faster is provided as part of the GIS User Training to communicate our expectations. Instructors may request a specific communication protocol for their courses which will be provided on the course syllabus or course site.

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