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Online Master’s in GIS

Map your future at the intersection of geography and technology

START HERE

Share a few details and we'll connect you with an enrollment coach to discuss your goals and next steps.

By submitting my information, I consent to being contacted by The University of Oklahoma and/or OU Education Services via SMS/text message, phone, email, and other electronic means, including through the use of an automatic telephone dialing system, AI-powered technologies, and artificial or pre-recorded voice, for purposes related to OU’s program portfolio; my contact information will not be shared with third-party affiliates. Message and data rates may apply. Opt-out of communications any time by replying STOP to SMS, asking to be removed during a call, or clicking the unsubscribe link in emails. For support, refer to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for more details.

At a Glance

The Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies from OU Online equips you to harness the power of GIS and advanced tools like PostGIS, ArcGIS Pro, and Google Earth Engine for high-impact spatial analysis.

You’ll build a strong foundation in geospatial theory and application while developing the conceptual and professional skills to apply creative, qualitative, and mixed research methods. This program empowers you to drive informed decisions across government, environmental, business, and societal sectors using geospatial and remote sensing technologies—shaping a smarter, more sustainable future.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

21+ Months

Credit Hours:

33

Time Commitment:

10 to 20 Hours Weekly

start dates

Fall, Spring

cost

The online GIS master’s degree delivers a strong return on investment, equipping you with the expertise to lead at the highest levels and command greater earning potential in a rapidly growing field.

Tuition and fees for the program total $33,495 ($1,015 per credit hour). Books and additional materials are not included.

START HERE

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1Your Interests

2Your Information

Degree Level(Required)

Thanks for your interest in OU Online! At this time, we don't offer any online programs that align with your current experience or education level. Please revisit us in the future to find a program that best fits your goals or explore our on campus programs at ou.edu

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Note: Applicants residing in states not participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), or in states where the program does not meet licensure requirements (e.g., California, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Idaho, etc.), are not eligible for enrollment.

Note: Applicants residing in states not participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), or in states where the program does not meet licensure requirements (e.g., California, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Idaho, etc.), are not eligible for enrollment.

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About the Online GIS Master’s Degree

From satellite and aerial imagery to GPS and GIS platforms, geospatial technologies are transforming how businesses, scientists, and policymakers understand and shape the world. These tools now drive critical decisions across industries and continents.

The OU Online Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies is a 33-credit-hour program designed to prepare you for success in this fast-evolving field. Developed by the OU College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, the program delivers the geospatial insight, technical expertise, and advanced training needed to lead in a data-driven world.

Graduates will be equipped to apply geospatial and remote sensing techniques to support impactful decision-making in areas such as:

Urban planning
Natural resource management
Emergency vehicle routing
Cellular network design
Market analysis for goods and services
Natural hazard and disaster mapping
Global climate change research

A fully online, 12-credit-hour graduate certificate in Geospatial Technologies is also available and can be completed in as little as two semesters. Students can choose from two focused tracks—Geographic Information Science (GIS) or Remote Sensing.

*The full name of the degree program is an online Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies. Graduates of the program will receive a Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Sustainability diploma. 

MS in Geographic Information Systems: Turn Spatial Data into Strategic Leadership

Earning an online MS in Geographic Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma positions you for advancement in the fast-growing GIS and remote sensing sector. You’ll gain the skills to accelerate your career in roles that shape how the world understands and uses spatial data. Top Career Opportunities with an online GIS master’s degree:

GIS Analyst
GIS Manager
Intelligence Analyst
Geographer
Cartographer

Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist
Director of Geographic Information Systems
Urban and Regional Planner
GIS Programmer
Independent Consultant

Industry insights:

Median pay: $97,200
Job outlook: Employment for geographers is projected to grow 3 percent by 2033
Job openings: An average of 1,600 openings for geographers are expected each year over the next decade

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn to Lead in GIS

OU’s online GIS master’s degree meets the rising demand for skilled leaders in GIS and remote sensing, preparing professionals to drive strategy and innovation across diverse industries.

Through this program, you will:

Build fluency in leading GIS software and emerging geospatial technologies
Analyze complex spatial data and communicate insights that drive smart, data-informed decisions
Explore advanced methods for interpreting and applying geographic data
Master the collection, management, and use of spatial data to solve real-world challenges

Program Outcomes: What You'll Learn

Course Details

The online master’s degree in GIS offers a comprehensive, future-focused curriculum that builds the geospatial insight, technical expertise, and advanced training needed to lead in this rapidly expanding field. You’ll explore essential industry topics and gain the skills to turn complex spatial data into actionable strategies that drive innovation and impact across sectors.

Core courses:

Research and Professional Development (3)
Thinking About Geography and Envoironmental Sustaibability (3)
Spatial Statistics (3)

Elective courses:

Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (3)
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing (3)
GIS Applications (3)
Remote Sensing Applications (3)
Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis (3)
Advanced Remote Sensing (3)
Spatial Data Management for GIS Professionals (3)
Drones and Remote Sensing (3)
Digital Image Processing (3)
Spatial Programming and GIS (3)

Expand each section below to view more about the courses.

Core Courses

Research and Professional Development
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a comprehensive background on the practice of geospatial technologies in geographic and environmental research. Students generate necessary tools for their career, like a resume and portfolio, while practicing communication skills, and exploring employment opportunities in geospatial technology-related fields. They also learn how to formulate a research proposal, including literature review, methodology, and consideration of ethics.

Thinking about Geography and Environmental Sustainability
Credit Hours: 3
Acting as a capstone to the program, this course exposes students to foundational literature in geography and environmental sustainability. Students also write an original research paper, applying the concepts and techniques acquired in the program.

Spatial Statistics
Credit Hours: 3
This course explains and demonstrates methods and techniques in spatial sampling, spatial autocorrelation, and spatial composition using RStudio. It also delves into spatially adjusted regression, local statistics, geo-statistics, and related techniques. Theoretical explanations and derivations, as well as practical applications, will be presented in the class.

Elective Courses

Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to help students learn introductory to intermediate concepts of geographic information science (GIScience) and become proficient users of geographic information systems (GIS). The course covers a variety of topics but focuses on GIS data models, data structures, and spatial analysis. Teaching formats include lectures, in-class exercises, and lab exercises. No student may earn credit for both 4013 and 5013.

Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the basic principles of remote sensing, image acquisition, image processing, image interpretation, and its geographic and environmental applications. Labs involve the processing of satellite, airborne, and other geospatial data in an open-source cloud computing platform to explore the concepts taught in lectures.

Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis
Credit Hours: 3
This course expands and solidifies the GIS knowledge acquired in introductory and applied GIS classes. It focuses on highly complex geographic questions that cannot be solved in simple steps but instead require advanced GIS analysis and automation using programming R. The course is intended to prepare the student for a professional GIS position in the government or business world or a higher-level graduate position.

Advanced Remote Sensing
Credit Hours: 3
This course will introduce students to advanced topics in digital remote sensing towards understanding the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings in both aerial and satellite remote sensing. Focus will be placed on advanced active and passive sensors characteristics, digital image analysis, and processing for advanced issues in remote sensing, including new frontiers in the discipline.

GIS Applications
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to help students learn intermediate and advanced concepts of geographic information science related to a variety of socio-economic and environmental fields. Course topics may include landscape ecology and metrics, suitability modeling, binary and ranking index models, routing and network analysis, and other topics applicable to social or environmental fields. Teaching formats include both lectures and lab exercises.

Spatial Data Management for GIS Professionals
Credit Hours: 3
The goal of this course is to develop introductory computer science skills and information management literacy for GIS professionals finding work in industry. Students will learn how to capture, create, validate, and maintain spatial data for use in a professional GIS setting, and become familiar with navigating federal, local, and private online GIS data repositories for future GIS work.

Digital Image Processing
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents digital image processing techniques for sUAS (aka drones) derived and related optical imagery. It explores topics such as orthorectification, structure from motion (SfM), image analysis, and accuracy assessments, all in furtherance of geospatial activities.

Remote Sensing Applications
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to build on the Fundamentals of Remote Sensing towards helping students develop a strong understanding of the tools and techniques used to display, process, and analyze remotely sensed data. Students will learn how to develop analytical workflows to derive products and extract information from remotely sensed data for a broad range of applications.

Drones and Remote Sensing
Credit Hours: 3
This course will explore remote sensing fundamentals, drone technology, data acquisition, image processing, and integration of these technologies for environmental monitoring, disaster management, agricultural applications, urban planning, and more. Students will gain the skills necessary to operate drones, process remote sensing data, and apply these tools to real-world problem solving.

Spatial Programming and GIS
Credit Hours: 3
Introduces students to geocomputation concepts, spatial programming skills, and computational approaches to spatial data services and spatial problem solving.

OU Online: The Edge You Need in GIS

OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate programs designed for working professionals—offering the flexibility of a fully online format backed by the reputation of a top-tier public institution. The MS in Geographic Information Systems blends theory with hands-on application, equipping you with the conceptual and professional skills to apply creative, qualitative, and mixed research methods. You’ll gain the tools to better understand complex global systems and make meaningful, data-driven decisions that shape the world.

Faculty Expertise

The Master of Science in GIS is powered by the expertise of world-class University of Oklahoma faculty and seasoned professors of practice who bring real-world experience into every course. By connecting students with industry leaders and academic innovators, OU Online delivers a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares you to lead with confidence and thrive in the evolving geospatial landscape.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your technical skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of geospatial technologists to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in organizations across the world, helping you expand your career in geographic information systems.

Flexible Format

The MS in Geographic Information Systems is delivered 100 percent online in a flexible format designed for working professionals around the world. Earn your degree in as little as 21 months while balancing full-time work and personal commitments. Study from anywhere and gain specialized expertise in GIS that you can apply immediately in your career.

Tailored Experience

Move through the program as part of a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for geospatial technologies. You’ll collaborate in online discussions with expert faculty and peers, building a strong professional network while developing the skills to thrive in the geospatial industry. This supportive learning environment fosters connection, career growth, and real-world impact.

The online GIS program at OU played a pivotal role in helping me land my current role as a GIS administrator in the water and wastewater industry. The flexibility of the online format made it possible to balance coursework with my other responsibilities, and the practical, real-world focus of the curriculum gave me the skills and confidence I needed to take the next step in my career. From spatial analysis to remote sensing and geoprocessing, everything I’ve learned has been directly applicable to my work. The faculty are supportive, and the program has truly exceeded my expectations.

Mark Hillin

MS in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your master’s degree in GIS is a powerful investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment accessible, affordable, and clear from day one.

Tuition for the program is $1,015 per credit hour, totaling $33,495 for the full program. Books and additional materials are not included.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Our dedicated financial services team is here to support you every step of the way—so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.

Have questions about financial aid? Contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929 to get personalized guidance.

A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.

* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Transfer Credit

You can transfer up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework per Graduate College policy and with approval of the department.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online MS in Geographic Information Systems program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Application Process

Complete the online application at https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/
Resume
Transcripts
Short responses (400 words per question) to three questions
Official undergraduate transcript from an accredited institution

Application Timeline

The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made within two weeks of receiving a completed application. While admissions may remain open until two weeks before classes begin, some programs may have earlier deadlines. Applying early is encouraged to ensure your spot and allow time for financial aid and enrollment planning.

A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester's tuition.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, personal statement, and undergraduate transcripts. Applicants are encouraged to submit one or more of the following: reference letter, written paper or report from the last three years, or portfolio of past GIS work (if applicable).