This page is designed to assist prospective and current students with information regarding the Graduate GIS Certificate program for admissions and advising. New students are accepted at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.  The Graduate GIS Certificate is a pathway to at least an entry-level position and career advancement in GIS (varies by background and experience).  This program is a pathway to our MS GIS Administration program by meeting all of the GIS foundations coursework and 6 hours of GIS Core program courses.  The only course in the Grad GIS Cert program that doesn't carry over into the master's is the GIS Internship.  

Graduate GIS Certificate Program Page

Graduate GIS Certificate Program catalog page

Contacts

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

Program Advisor: Trisha Holtzclaw tholtzclaw@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.

• If needed, UWF graduate admissions office handles requests for any changes to academic programs and applications. https://uwf.edu/graduate/about-us/contact-information/

• Applicants are asked for residency information; however, it is not required and not part of the review for admissions. We do encourage students to complete this, in the event they do take a course outside of their self-supporting/flat-rate programs so they are assessed correctly. 

  Here is a link to the admissions process information: UG: https://uwf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/admissions-forms/, Grad: https://uwf.edu/graduate/apply/residency/ 

  Here is a link on how to change residency statuses post being admitted: https://uwf.edu/offices/registrar/residency/residency-reclassification/appeals/

Letter of Intent Guidelines:

This formal letter should speak to your background and as they relate to an academic GIS program. We are looking for clear and concise writing free of grammatical errors.  

• Be no more than one page in length (single-spaced, 12pt font)
• Indicate in the first paragraph or title which program you are applying to and why you would be a good candidate for this program.
• Demonstrate focus and direction:
• How have your academic background, professional career, and your extracurricular experience prepared you for this program?
• How do you intend to use your certificate? (Include career goals and plans for the future)
• Articulate your reasons for choosing this program.

Steps to Apply for Current Graduate UWF Students:

Graduate degree-seeking students are encouraged to pursue GIS and our Graduate GIS Certificate as it complements many different fields and essentially any study involving location.

• Use Navigate to schedule an advising appointment to discuss course options.
• 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 for any graduate student outside of the Earth and Environmental Sciences department.
• Generally, graduate students pursuing another program who request to register in GIS5050 w/L will be granted permission provided they agree to be prepared (extra cost, meet technology/hardware requirements, time commitment, and skills).
• GIS5050 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 GIS5050/L and have gained experience working with Argo Apps for GIS and completing assignments within an accelerated 8-week course schedule. Therefore, student advising and permission are required.

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 program advisor 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.

Online Graduate GIS Certificate Program Course Details, Expectations, & Prerequisites

• 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 meet the minimal hardware requirements for Esri ArcGIS Pro 3.3 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.

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

• I have a desire to learn Geographic Information Science and industry-standard G.I.Systems software and willingness to research/Google new terms and software errors as needed.
• I possess the skills, access, and abilities outlined in the GIS at UWF Basic Computer Skills for GIS Training and Minimal Technology Skills and Requirements pages.
• I possess the communication skills and professionalism required to participate in this program.
• I understand online GIS courses are accelerated (6.5-8 weeks in duration) and assess a self-supporting program tuition rate. Courses are offered once per year and must be taken in a prescribed order which will be provided in a course plan I will develop with my advisor.
• I know what it means to work via remote desktop and I am willing to learn how to work remotely via Argo Apps and Canvas to complete assignments.
• I understand that each course I enroll in will require approximately 8-10 hours each week in order to complete assignments within the accelerated course schedule.

Online Graduate GIS Certificate Student Advising

Course Plans

• Newly accepted GIS program students should meet with their advisors to develop a course plan in DegreeWorks on your Degree Audit. Book an Advising Appointment in Navigate (must be an accepted UWF student to access). 
• Students can expect a follow a prescribed course plan designed for this program. Example course plans are provided below. 
• We offer most online GIS courses only one time per year.  It's important to follow the course plan developed by your advisor and to check in regarding updates to your plans.  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 could 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 program (select appropriate sheet).

GIS Certificate Course Cost - Click to view or download the following Google Sheet which was designed for planning purposes only including tabs/sheets for GIS Certificate course cost by program (select appropriate sheet). 

Registration

• Before You Enroll - Book an Advising Appointment in Navigate (must be an accepted UWF student to access). New students should meet with their advisors to discuss program requirements and develop a course plan in DegreeWorks.
• Non-degree-seeking students do not require an Advising Pin to enroll but are invited and strongly encouraged to meet or communicate with the program advisor regarding plans once a semester.
• Holds can prevent registration. To view and resolve holds, follow the instructions provided for Viewing Holds.  Complete the end-of-course survey (SAI) to avoid a hold in between semesters.
• Registering for Courses - step-by-step instructions on how to register for courses. Notice several other useful topics/pages listed on the left-hand navigation you may want to refer to.
• Online GIS Course sections have unique attributes to help ensure students are enrolling in the proper section.  Sometimes we offer the same GIS course (prefix and title) both online and at Pensacola Campus so it's important to recognize the differences in course search results. In the screenshot below, the course search result for "GIS" returned two course sections.  The online GIS Certificate course section has 3 distinct differences highlighted in the red box. When in doubt, your advisor can provide the Course Reference Number (CRN) you should enroll in. 
• Online GIS Certificate program students are required to register in Online Campus course sections.  Pensacola Campus students are expected to register in all Main (Pensacola) campus course sections.
  
  
• Using the Classmate App to view your class schedule and detailed course info. Course syllabi will be linked here once the instructor uploads them (typically by the first week of class).
• Dropping Courses - if needed, follow these instructions to drop your course during drop/add week.
• Withdrawing after Drop/Add - see UWF Academic Course Calendar for dates. WR - partial refund. W - no refund issued. A grade of "W" will be assigned. A grade of "W" will not negatively impact your GPA or academic standing.  Sometimes it is the best option for students who have fallen behind in coursework. Consult with your instructor to discuss options and your advisor before deciding to withdraw from a course. There is info about the Medical Withdrawal Process on the page/link provided.

Tuition Payment

• Course Fees - instructions on how to view course tuition and fees for a term. See the UWF Academic Course Calendar for due dates.
• Payment Plans - (links to UWF Cashier's page for more info.) It is possible to wait to enroll in a POT3 course as a way to spread out tuition payments. However, you will be assessed tuition as soon as you enroll in the POT3 course and be expected to pay immediately. View the UWF academic course calendar for POT3 dates (avoid the late registration fee) and the UWF Cashier's office Payment Deadlines and other web pages for more information. 
  • Cashier's office website contact cashier@uwf.edu or by phone at 850.474.3035
• Attendance Confirmation - (links to process) most relevant to students using Financial Aid. Expect to complete an assignment the first week of class dedicated to confirming your attendance (required by all students).
• Financial Aid office website - non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.
• Military and Veteran students please connect with the MVRC for course verification 
• Those using the Florida State Employee Tuition Waiver, contact the Cashier's office with questions. 6sh cap per term.
• UWF employees should use the Employee-Tuition-Waiver.  If you have any questions please contact Human Resources at 850.474.2694 or hr@uwf.edu.

Required Textbooks

• Visit the UWF bookstore to view your required textbooks. https://www.bkstr.com/westfloridastore/shop/textbooks-and-course-materials
• Please note the course reference numbers are important - CRNs should be confirmed to ensure you're accessing the materials required for our fully online GIS course sections.
• Several GIS courses will require a textbook.  Instructors strive to select texts that are low-cost or offer low-cost options (via e-text) or can be used in other courses.

Resources

• Once You've Enrolled - explore the resources available. We will use MyUWF, eLearning (Canvas), Google email and apps, and Argo Apps in our GIS courses. The "Before You Enroll" and "Computer Recommendations" pages on this ITS site are also useful.
• The Student Guide provides an overview of processes and procedures useful to all students at UWF. Browse it to know what's available.
• Nautilus Card for Online students - if you live within 50 miles of UWF, you may want to consider requesting a card. 
• eLearning Help for Students - several relevant topics are covered here:
  • Activating your MyUWF/ArgoNet Account - your student Gmail account will be the main address UWF will use for communications once you are accepted. When you register for a course, more tools will become available to you in MyUWF.
  • Canvas Orientation
  • Finding your classes in eLearning (Canvas) - expect GIS courses to become available on the 1st day of class.
• Time management 
• GIS User Training - The ArcGIS Basics topic includes a link to the first lab in the GIS5050L course which is designed to give an introduction to the lab assignment workflow and key tools and actions in ArcGIS Pro software.  
• GIS@UWF Blog site - view program posts and GIS Student Blog List for course-specific student examples and insights.
• Campus GIS Map - explore our campuses!  We will work with UWF's main campus data in a few GIS5050L assignments.
• GIS Lounge is a popular online website offering articles and resources for GIS enthusiasts and students (see GIS 101 essentials page).  If you like podcasts, check out the roundup of geospatial podcasts list.