Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence
The program is offered through the Department of Geographical Sciences in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Geospatial Intelligence provides workforce-focused technical training that gives graduates the skills and expertise to lead new initiatives in the rapidly shifting landscape of GEOINT applications, data collection systems, analytic methods, and mission support.
Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact Professor Ruibo Han, via email: ruibo@umd.edu.
Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence has a 15-credit, 5-course curriculum that covers spatial analysis, remote sensing, big data analytics, geo-visualization, programming in web and mobile GIS, and geospatial intelligence in various fields.
- Offered in person (major code Z109) or online (major code Z135). The curriculum is identical.
- Provides a well‐rounded understanding of the fundamental nature of geospatial intelligence and analysis, including the core theory, methods, and protocols for gathering and management of geospatial intelligence data, analyses and visualization of those data, use of the resulting products in operational settings for applied geospatial intelligence, and the ethical treatment of data and analysis throughout those procedures.
- Can be completed in fifteen months of continuous part-time enrollment. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.
Courses
Below is a listing of all program courses. For a detailed course description that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see The Graduate School Catalog, Course Listing as follows: GEOG Course Descriptions.
| Type | Course Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | GEOG646 | Intro to Programming for GIS |
| Elective | GEOG656 | Programs & Scripting for GIS |
| Elective | GEOG660 | Advanced Remote Sensing Using Lidar |
| Core | GEOG661 | Fundamentals of GEOINT |
| Core | GEOG662 | Advances in GIS and RS |
| Elective | GEOG663 | Big Data Analytics |
| Elective | GEOG664 | GEOINT Systems and Platforms |
| Elective | GEOG665 | Algorithms for GEOINT Analysis |
| Elective | GEOG666 | Drones for Data Collection |
| Elective | GEOG677 | Internet GIS |
| Elective | GEOG680 | GEOINT Networks |
| Elective | GEOG682 | Open Source Intelligence |
| Elective | GEOG683 | Hazards and Emergency Management |
| Elective | GEOG685 | Machine Learning and Data Mining |
| Elective | GEOG686 | Mobile GIS and Geocomputing |
| Core | GEOG697 | Capstone Project |
Plan of study includes three 3-credit core courses (9 credits) and two 3-credit electives (6 credits).
Registration Overview
- See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director.
- Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
- Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
- The program uses specific section codes for registration, which are listed on the sample plan of study.
Sample Plan, Fall Admission
| Term | Year | Course Number | In Person Section Code | Online Section Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I (fall) | 1 | GEOG662 | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| II (winter) | 1 | GEOG*** | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| III (spring) | 1 | GEOG661 | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| IV (summer) | 1 | GEOG*** | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| I (fall) | 2 | GEOG697 | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
Sample Plan, Spring Admission
| Term | Year | Course Number | In Person Section Code | Online Section Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III (spring) | 1 | GEOG661 | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| IV (summer) | 1 | GEOG*** | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| I (fall) | 1 | GEOG662 | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| II (winter) | 1 | GEOG*** | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
| III (spring) | 2 | GEOG697 | PGS* | PLG* | 3 |
Overall
- Program offers two learning options: in person (major code Z109) or online (major code Z135). The curriculum is identical in each delivery format.
- Uses the term academic calendar with classes held each 12-week term: I (fall), II (winter), III (spring), IV (summer).
- Classes are held weekday evenings (e.g., after 5:00 p.m.) to accommodate the working professional’s schedule.
- Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field.
In-Person Learning
- Classes meet in UMD College Park campus classrooms, offering a focused, distraction-free learning environment.
- Instructors present dynamic and interactive seminar-style instruction.
- Lectures are video archived. Students who are unable to attend a class session can review the session at their convenience.
- Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements.
Online Learning
- Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
- Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits asynchronous or synchronous participation.
- Lectures are video archived. Students who are unable to attend in real time can review the session through asynchronous participation.
Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:
- Understand the fundamental nature of geospatial intelligence and analysis, including the core theory, methods, and protocols for gathering and management of geospatial intelligence data, analyses and visualization of those data
- Understand the use of the resulting products in operational settings for applied geospatial intelligence
- Understand the ethical treatment of data and analysis throughout those procedures.