Focus on the skills, concepts, and technologies that will make a difference in your career with our versatile curriculum.
At a Glance
REQUIREMENTS
3 courses; 12 graduate-level credits
TIME TO COMPLETE
as little as 1 semester (15 weeks)
CLASSES
100% online and asynchronous
TUITION
$800 per credit hour
WHEN TO START
Fall, Spring, or Summer semester
PREREQUISITES
Undergraduate degree; 3.0+ GPA; 1 undergraduate GIS course; 1 undergraduate cartography course
Grow Your Skills in Cartography & Geographic Information Systems
Keeping your skills up-to-date in an ever-changing industry can be challenging. If you already have some experience in GIS, but need to advance your competency in key areas such as cartography, UX/UI design, interactive geovisualization, geocomputing, geodatabase implementation, spatial analysis, or spatial programming, you’ll be right at home in our program.
You know what skills you need to move ahead in your professional life. In our advanced GIS capstone certificate program, you’ll take full control over what you learn. You’ll complete your 12 required credit hours by choosing three of our upper-level courses. Our flexible program is offered completely online, so you can complete your courses around the demands of your career, from anywhere in the world.
After you complete this certificate, you’ll have the tools you need to advance your career in the GIS world. You’ll also have the opportunity to advance your education even further by joining our online master’s program or our in-person accelerated/non-thesis master’s program.
What You'll Learn
In-Depth Map Design
Tell stories with your maps as you take your cartography skills to the next level, creating experiences that are interactive and mobile-friendly.
Geocomputing
Immerse yourself in theory, techniques, and analytical methods for geospatial data; use Python and GIS tools and libraries to store, process, analyze, and visualize.
Full Stack Programming
Bridge the gap between front-end development skills and the additional back-end development skills needed for deploying a complete web mapping application.
Courses
To earn our advanced GIS capstone certificate, you’ll select any three upper-level courses from our catalog.
Geog 378 Intro to Geocomputing (4 credit hours)
Geog 572 Graphic Design in Cartography (4 credit hours)
Geog 574 Spatial Databases (4 credit hours)
Geog 575 Interactive Cartography & Geovisualization (4 credit hours)
Geog 576 Spatial Web & Mobile Programming (4 credit hours)
Geog 579 GIS & Spatial Analysis (4 credit hours, prerequisite: 1 undergraduate statistics course)
With our deep knowledge of the industry and our curriculum, we’ve put together three suggested curriculum tracks. The ultimate choice in what to study is yours, but these tracks may help you formulate your plan.
Cartographic Storytelling & Web Map Development Track
Your primary goal is improving your design capabilities, incorporating UX/UI principles into your work, and furthering your expertise in creating impactful digital maps.
Courses:
Geog 572 Graphic Design in Cartography
Geog 575 Interactive Cartography & Geovisualization
Geog 576 Spatial Web & Mobile Programming
Spatial Data Analytics Track
Your primary goal is developing your competence in working with large geospatial datasets; processing and managing databases, and then using analytical skills and techniques to solve pressing place-based problems.
Courses:
Geog 378 Intro to Geocomputing
Geog 574 Spatial Databases
Geog 579 GIS & Spatial Analysis
Full Stack GIS Development Track
Your primary goal is putting all the pieces together to build end-to-end geospatial applications, while mastering state-of-the art interactive web mapping and data visualization tools.
Courses:
Geog 574 Spatial Databases
Geog 575 Interactive Cartography & Geovisualization
Geog 576 Spatial Web & Mobile Programming
"The cartography courses have helped me design better maps to communicate complex land and permitting issues to management, attorneys, and legislators."
Gerald Heston, Advanced GIS capstone graduate
Who You'll Meet
Students in our advanced GIS capstone certificate program are GIS professionals in a wide variety of industries, including archaeology, urban planning, law enforcement, surveying, engineering, environmental studies, and much more. As a student, you’ll be able to connect with fellow advanced GIS capstone certificate and online master’s degree students and deepen your connections in the GIS world. Read about some recent advanced GIS students/online master’s degree students and why they joined the program:
Advancing Your Career in GIS
Innovation happens at an extraordinary pace in the cartography and GIS world. Being part of a field that’s fast-paced and always on the cusp of something brand new can be a deeply satisfying experience.
But taking the next step in your career can be tricky in an industry where new technologies are constantly evolving. Our instructional team—a unique blend of internationally recognized cartography/GIS faculty and in-the-field geospatial industry experts—understands how to help our students focus in on the competencies and capabilities that will matter most in the future. With the skills you learn here, you’ll have everything you need to give your career the boost that it needs.
Studying Cartography & GIS at UW–Madison
We take great pride in our technology-centered curriculum and how it bridges the gap between cartographic design and GIS development. We take even more pride in our instructional team, built of internationally recognized faculty and geospatial industry experts.
But our program is about more than what happens during your 12 credit hours. We’ll give you opportunities to connect with students in all of our programs and working professionals in our alumni network. And Map Chat, our informal monthly lecture series, brings you talks with experts from all corners of the geospatial and cartography world.
Earning a Capstone Certificate
At UW–Madison, capstone certificates generally focus on professional skills and aim to give individuals the ability to advance in their career or switch to a new career path.
Capstone certificate programs are a collaboration between the Graduate School and the Division of Continuing Studies. Capstone certificate coursework is graduate-level work, and students enroll into the university through the Division of Continuing Studies, Adult Career & Special Student Services Office. As a GIS certificate student, you’ll be a University Special Student.
Applying to the Advanced GIS Capstone Certificate Program
We’re thrilled that you’re interested in joining our program, and we have great news—there is no cost to apply to our capstone certificate programs. You’ll need just a few things: unofficial transcripts, contact info for 2 professional or academic references, a statement of interest that walks us through your career goals, proof of English proficiency (for international students only), and around 30 minutes to fill out the applications.
Learn more about our process and get started on our Apply Now page.
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Fall Semester Application Deadlines
• First Consideration: May 1
• International Students: May 1
• Final Deadline: July 15
Spring Semester Application Deadlines
• First Consideration: September 1
• International Students: September 1
• Final Deadline: November 1
Summer Semester Application Deadlines
• First Consideration: February 1
• International Students: February 1
• Final Deadline: April 1