View our program web page with the most up-to-date links and information. New students are accepted at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.

https://onlinedegrees.uwf.edu/online-degrees/gis-certificate-geographic-information-science/

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete the GIS Program Application: https://uwf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81u4yCaDw7N9EGN
   1. Contact: gisonline@uwf.edu 
2. Complete a UWF undergraduate non-degree application and be sure to select GIS as your program of interest which will declare the GIS Certificate.
   1. Contact: admissions@uwf.edu 
3. Be on the lookout for an email from gisonline@uwf.edu regarding your acceptance and the next steps. 

If needed, UWF undergraduate admissions handle requests for any changes to your academic programs. 800.263.1074, 850.474.2230, admissions@uwf.edu

If you've taken college GIS courses at an accredited institution you would like of for us to consider, please email the gisonline@uwf.edu program office with a copy of your transcripts. 

Steps to Apply for Current UWF Students:

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are encouraged to pursue GIS but may want to consider declaring the GIS Minor instead of the GIS Certificate (excess hours). Sometimes degree-seeking students will request to enroll in one of our online GIS course offerings due to schedule conflicts with our Pensacola Campus sections.  Due to differences in our online and Pensacola Campus courses, all online GIS courses are restricted by the program, limiting enrollment.  Special permission is required to enroll. Generally, students requesting to enroll in GIS4043 w/L will be granted permission with a good reason and agree to possess the required skills and hardware and have time to devote to the course. GIS4043 with lab is a required prerequisite for all other GIS course offerings. All other courses we offer online assume that students have completed our online section of GIS4043/L and have gained experience working with Argo Apps for GIS and completing assignments within an accelerated 8-week course schedule.

1. Review the following information about online GIS Certificate courses carefully. You will be asked to agree to the statements listed below.
2. Contact the program advisor Berkeley Reeves and GIS Director Amber Bloechle abloechle@uwf.edu requesting permission to enroll.  Include your student ID in correspondence and list any prior GIS courses taken. 

Info about our Online GIS Certificate courses:

• All GIS courses are described in further detail on the program catalog page by clicking on the course prefix link. Online GIS courses are taught by faculty and adjuncts who teach primarily online and specifically for our programs.  Course topics and applications are varied. As such, the content in our online sections differs from our Pensacola Campus courses taught by GIS faculty for our Earth and Environmental Science undergraduate programs. 
• Students in both undergraduate and graduate level sections access the same course site, and materials, and participate in class together.
• Courses are accelerated and 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).
• The cost per semester hour is $330 as seen on the 2nd page of the UWF 2022-2023 tuition rates document.
• 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.
• Courses are completely online including access to software via Argo Apps for GIS (link to required training).
• Students are not required to be online at a particular time and will complete assignments on their own time. 
• Instructors and TA (if assigned) offer virtual office hours for students to ask questions. These are typically held in the evenings as most of our students work during the day. 
• A good internet connection is required for an optimal experience while working on our virtual desktop. Access to software, required to participate in GIS courses, is provided to students through eDesktop for GIS and assessed with course tuition.
• We offer students access to the software for a local installation but your computer should meet the minimal hardware requirements for Esri ArcGIS Pro 2.8 software.
• We don't require previous knowledge or experience in GIS but it's important to possess basic computer skills for GIS. This is a very technical program and we will not have time to teach these skills.
• In order to participate in courses and to complete work via eDesktop for GIS, students MUST have access to their own laptop or personal computer and consistent broadband internet access (high-speed).  
• 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 will be expected by all.
• Students who do well in our program have a desire to learn new software, solve problems, and create.

Students interested in enrolling in our online GIS courses should agree to the following statements:

• I currently have a working knowledge of computer and software terminology and/or willingness to Google new terms as they arise in course content.
• I currently possess the skills outlined in the GIS at UWF Basic Computer Skills for GIS Training.
• I understand what it means to work via remote desktop and I am willing to learn how to work via remote desktop with eDesktop for GIS.
• I understand that to be prepared for online learning I must have access to hardware and consistent, high-speed internet access while enrolled in GIS courses.
• I understand that each course I enroll in will require approximately 8-10 hours each week in order to complete assignments.
• I currently possess the communication skills required to participate in this program.

Course Plans:

GIS courses are designed with the expectation that enrolled students are pursuing the GIS Certificate program and enrolling in all online GIS courses following a prescribed/ideal course sequence.  GIS4043/L is a prerequisite course for all other GIS offerings and is the first class most students will be required to enroll in. We offer most of our courses only one time per year.  It's important to follow the course plan developed by your advisor and to check in when changes are expected or needed.  If a course is dropped or missed, expect to go a semester or more without anything you're eligible to enroll in. Not enrolling in a GIS course when it's offered will most likely add a year to your completion date. 

GIS Certificate Course Plans - Click to view or download the following Google Sheet including tabs/sheets for Ideal Course Sequence and GIS Certificate course plans by the program.