Geospatial Technology
Earn a Certificate in Geospatial Technology
Learn to collect, analyze, and visualize location-based data using tools like GIS and remote sensing — skills now essential across government, science, business, and beyond.
Career Outlook
Geospatial skills are in high demand across disciplines, and jobs in these fields are growing faster than average, spanning government, environmental science, agriculture, business, and technology.
Where STEM Meets Innovation
Geospatial technology is a rapidly evolving field, intersecting GIS, natural sciences, technology, mathematics, and many more.
Curriculum
Using and understanding geospatial data has become an essential skill in many careers across a wide array of disciplines. The Geospatial Technology Certificate equips students with essential skills in GIS, remote sensing, programming, and geospatial analysis. The certificate program is open to degree and non-degree seeking students. It aligns particularly well with Environmental Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Biology, New Media, and Atmospheric Sciences degree programs.
Certificate Requirements at a Glance
- Minimum of 12 credit hours from four courses
- No more than 8 hours from a declared major or minor may count
- All courses must be completed at UNC Asheville
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all certificate courses
Required Courses
Course Requirements
Fall
CSCI 183: Introduction to Programming (3)
Fall & Spring
- Recommended for ENVS students
ATMS 325: GIS in Meteorology (3)
- Prerequisite: ATMS 203
ENVS 384: Introduction to GIS (4)
Spring
Fall
Choose One Elective
3–4 Credits
Fall & Spring
Spring
- Prerequisite: CSCI 201 and one course from CSCI 182, 183, 185, or ECE 209, or permission of instructor.
Even Years Spring
- Prerequisites: STAT 185 or 225, and one course from CSCI 182, 183, or 185, or permission of instructor.
- This is a good option for ENVS students.
TBD
- Prerequisites include one of the following: (1) STAT 185 or 225, CSCI 182, 183, or 185, and MATH 291 and 365; (2) MATH 295; or (3) permission of instructor.
Fall
- Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in CSCI 202, MATH 295, or permission of instructor.
Fall
- Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in CSCI 202.
Spring
- Prerequisite: MATH 191 and CSCI 182, 183, or 185, or permission of instructor.
- This is also a good option for ENVS students.
Fall & Spring
- Prerequisite: NM 101.
Supporting Majors
Ready for what's next?
A Geospatial Technology certificate equips students with a rich balance of skills in technology, natural sciences, mathematics, data analysis, business, and more, creating a foundation for a career in a rapidly growing field.