FAQs for Prospective Students

Your question is one of the most common questions we receive. While your GPA is important, it’s only one component of your application. If your GPA is lower, please don’t hesitate to apply anyways—just tell us the story in your statement of interest.

In addition to former professors, references can come from people who can speak knowledgeably about your ability to succeed in a rigorous professional program. This could include, for example, current or former work or volunteer supervisors.

We will send your references an email when you submit your application. They will receive instructions on how to submit their letters of recommendation. We suggest that you submit your application before the final deadline, and make sure your references know to expect an email from us.

Yes, you can apply if you are still working toward your current degree. However, you must have your bachelor’s degree completed by the time you enroll in the program.

For our in-person accelerated/non-thesis master’s program, students are permitted to defer their acceptance to a program for one year with some restrictions, including the application fee where applicable.

Because we are in the process of discontinuing our online programs, accepted students cannot defer their acceptance to those programs.

An admissions decision is typically sent out within one month of the final application deadline.

Note: An application is not considered complete until both letters of recommendation have been submitted. You can check your application for confirmation that these letters have been received.

Geographic information systems make a difference in countless industries—transportation and navigation, environmental science and conservation, engineering, surveying, health and epidemiology, archaeology and history, and public safety, just to name a few. Cartography and GIS is a 350 billion dollar industry that employed an estimated 625,000 Americans in 2010; today, 5 million U.S. employees rely on geospatial services to perform regular job duties. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 5% employment growth for cartographers between 2022 and 2032—faster growth than in other industries. See some examples of GIS professionals at work. 

Veterans are eligible for financial assistance through the GI Bill for all our programs. Learn more at University Veteran Services.

GISPP does not have any scholarship opportunities. However, UW-Madison’s Division of Continuing Studies has a number of scholarships. For more information, visit https://acsss.wisc.edu/scholarships/.

The Accelerated MS program course offerings fall in-line with the face-to-face course schedule. You can find more information on this schedule by visiting the public course search.

Students in the in-person accelerated/non-thesis MS program can complete their courses in as little as 3 semesters (1 year) or as many as 6 semesters (2 years). This estimate includes the (optional) summer semester.

Students in our online capstone certificate programs can complete the program in as little as 1 semester or as many as 3 semesters. Online master’s students can complete the program in as little as 3 semesters (1 year) or as many as 12 semesters (4 years). Please note that we are currently working toward discontinuing our online certificates and degree programs. We anticipate that admissions will be suspended beginning with the Summer 2025 semester. If you have any questions, please contact us.

No. Credits earned in one of our MS programs CANNOT be transferred to one of our capstone certificate programs. All credits for our capstone certificate programs must be earned while enrolled in that program.