ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have:
- A bachelor’s degree or at least two years of college education and experience in a field such as planning, engineering, public works, utilities, resource management, commercial real estate or branches of business or marketing that require spatial analysis
- Familiarity with GIS fundamentals and spatial data formats
- Ability to use ArcGIS Desktop 10, 9, 8.x or ArcView 3.x for basic functions, such as spatial and attribute queries, map overlay and map display
- Knowledge of introductory statistics is desirable
If you need help meeting the GIS requirements, we recommend the following independent study:
- Free online courses through Esri. These courses provide essential fundamental knowledge:
- Getting Started With GIS
- Getting Started With ArcMap
- ArcGIS Pro Basics
- Cartography
- Getting to Know ArcGIS (fifth edition). This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the features and tools of ArcGIS Desktop. It includes data for completing exercises as well as a 180-day free trial of ArcGIS Desktop.
English Proficiency
If you're not a native English speaker, you’ll need to have at least basic English language skills to enroll. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements.
International Students
To enroll, international students must have a visa that permits study in the United States. This program does not enable students to obtain or maintain F-1 visa status. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
You must have a computer that is no more than 5 years old with:
- At least 8Gb of RAM (memory)
- 20Gbs or more of available disc space
- Windows or MacOS operating system
- High-speed internet connection
MacOS users will be required to use Windows emulation software in order to run the Esri ArcGIS software.
Ideally, the computer meets the system requirements identified on the ArcGIS Desktop website.
Earning the Certificate
You earn the certificate by adhering to the program's attendance policy and successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.