Courses

We recognize that the geospatial intelligence professional is expected to understand and make analytic judgments on a broad spectrum of problems, support diverse customer sets, and cope with unprecedented types of information. Given these challenges, Penn State is committed to providing a flexible curriculum to meet the exceptionally diverse needs of the working professional.

All courses are online and instructor-led. You'll complete weekly assignments, submit projects online, take quizzes, and receive feedback from faculty. The geospatial course work includes, but is not limited to, geographic foundations of geospatial intelligence, GIS, and remote sensing.

The geospatial intelligence analytics graduate certificate program comprises six courses totaling 15 credits. The curriculum is designed so that all 15 credits earned in this certificate program count toward Penn State's online Master of Geographic Information Systems or Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security programs, should a student be accepted into one of these highly competitive master's programs.

Required Courses (15 credits)

GEOG 571: Intelligence Analysis, Cultural Geography, and Homeland Security — 3 credits

GEOG 883: Remote Sensing Image Analysis and Applications — 3 credits

GEOG 884: Geographic Information Systems for the Geospatial Intelligence Professional — 3 credits

GEOG 885: Advanced Analytic Methods for Geospatial Intelligence or elective — 3 credits*

GEOG 594A: (Seminar) Culminating Experiences in Geospatial Intelligence Analysis — 1 credit

GEOG 594B: (Capstone) Culminating Experiences in Geospatial Intelligence Analysis — 2 credits

The GEOINT Analytics certificate course content focuses not just on technical skills but also on the analytical knowledge necessary to apply those skills in the real world. In the Capstone course, students apply what they have learned to complete a semester-long virtual field experience.

The above course list is a typical sequence. Actual courses taken will vary based upon technical experience and will be determined upon consolation with your faculty adviser.

Program Flexibility

The GEOINT Analytics certificate program operates on five 10-week terms. With two terms that partially overlap in fall and spring, and one term in the summer, you are provided with the greatest flexibility possible in completing your certificate at your preferred pace. You can choose to schedule your courses without any overlap or take as many courses as possible to finish sooner.

Description of fall, spring and summer semesters

Registration for most courses begins three months before the start of the course. Given the limited number of seats available in our courses, early registration is strongly encouraged.

It is strongly recommended that students take only one course during each of the five terms.

Course List - Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence Analytics

Prerequisites as listed may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.

In order to determine the first day you are able to register for classes, enter your semester, campus location, and student level into the Registrar's Registration Timetable. Note: Certificate students are considered 'nondegree' as the student level.

**Required Courses (Select 12 to 15 credits)**
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Intelligence Analysis, Cultural Geography, and Homeland Security	GEOG 571	The application of cultural geography in the intelligence analysis and synthesis process by identifying prominent threats to civil security.	3 credits
Remote Sensing Image Analysis and Applications	GEOG 883	Understanding remote sensing systems' operation, data products, and processing techniques to address typical problem scenarios faced by the geospatial intelligence professional.	3 credits
Geographic Information Systems for the Geospatial Intelligence Professional	GEOG 884	How geographic information systems facilitate data analysis and communication to address common geographic problems faced by the geospatial intelligence professional.	3 credits
Advanced Analytic Methods for Geospatial Intelligence or Elective	GEOG 885 or Elective	Prepares current and aspiring geospatial intelligence professionals to apply and interpret results of non-quantitative analysis and modeling techniques. or TBD	3 credits
Culminating Experiences in Geospatial Intelligence (Seminar)	GEOG 594A	Seminar that brings together the threads of the Geospatial Intelligence program and reinforces the standards of professionalism applicable to geospatial intelligence analysis in government and business. Prerequisite: GEOG 571, GEOG 883, GEOG 884, GEOG 885 or equivalent courses	1 credit
Culminating Experiences in Geospatial Intelligence (Capstone)	GEOG 594B	Culminating experiences in current professional and ethical problems facing the geospatial intelligence professional. Prerequisite: GEOG 571, GEOG 883, GEOG 884, GEOG 885, GEOG 594A, or equivalent courses	2 credits

**Elective Courses (Select 0 to 3 credits)**
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Topographic Mapping with Lidar	GEOG 481	Understanding lidar systems' design, operation, data processing techniques, and product generation to address typical application scenarios faced by the geospatial professional.	3 credits
Problem-Solving with GIS	GEOG 483	How geographic information systems facilitate data analysis and communication to address common geographic problems. Prerequisite: GEOG 482 or GEOG 882 or permission of the program	3 credits
GIS Database Development	GEOG 484	Database design, creation, and maintenance, and data integration using desktop GIS software. Prerequisite: GEOG 483 or permission of the program	3 credits
GIS Programming and Software Development	GEOG 485	Customizing GIS software to extend its built-in functionality and to automate repetitive tasks. Prerequisite: GEOG 484 or GEOG 884 or permission of the program	3 credits
Cartography and Visualization	GEOG 486	Theory and practice of cartographic design emphasizing effective visual thinking and visual communication with geographic information systems. Prerequisite: GEOG 484 or permission of the program	3 credits
Environmental Applications of GIS	GEOG 487	Real-world applications of GIS and spatial analysis to investigate a variety of current environmental issues. Prerequisite: GEOG 484 or permission of the program	3 credits
Advanced Python Programming for GIS	GEOG 489	Learn advanced applications of Python for developing and customizing GIS software, designing user interfaces, and solving complex geoprocessing tasks using both proprietary and open-source platforms. Prerequisite: GEOG 485 or permission of the program	3 credits
Location Intelligence for Business	GEOG 497B	Understanding location technology and geospatial analysis to support an efficient and effective pathway to better business decisions.	3 credits
Intelligence Analysis, Cultural Geography, and Homeland Security	GEOG 571	The application of cultural geography in the intelligence analysis and synthesis process by identifying prominent threats to civil security.	3 credits
Geospatial System Analysis and Design	GEOG 583	Systematic approach to requirements acquisition, specification, design, and implementation of geospatial information systems. Prerequisite: GEOG 484	3 credits
Open Web Mapping	GEOG 585	Design, development, and implementation of web mapping applications using OGC standards and open source software. Prerequisite: GEOG 485	3 credits
Geographical Information Analysis	GEOG 586	Choosing and applying analytical methods for geospatial data, including point pattern analysis, interpolation, surface analysis, overlay analysis, and spatial autocorrelation. Prerequisite: GEOG 485 or GEOG 486 or GEOG 487	3 credits
Emerging Trends in Remote Sensing	GEOG 589	Advanced topics in remote sensing and image processing, including new sensors, applications, and decision-making. Prerequisites: GEOG 480 and GEOG 883	3 credits
GIS for Health Analysis	GEOG 591	The role of geographic information systems in understanding disease, including relevant spatial analysis and cartographic visualization techniques. Prerequisite: GEOG 484	3 credits
Special Topics in Geospatial Intelligence Futures	GEOG 597I	Addresses cutting-edge geospatial intelligence topics that impact the global academic and professional community.	3 credits
Spatial Data Analytics for Transportation	GEOG 855	This course examines the use of GIS principles, data, and applications that have been developed for the field of transportation. Prerequisite: GEOG 483 or permission of the program	3 credits
Spatial Data Science for Emergency Management	GEOG 858	Requirements analysis and proposal writing to plan and implement GIS solutions supporting emergency management activities of government agencies and contractors. Recommended Preparation: GEOG 483	3 credits
The Earth is Round and Maps are Flat: Working with Spatial Reference Systems in GIS	GEOG 861	Explores three important topics related to georeferenced data: datums, map projections, and grid systems. Prerequisite: GEOG 483 or permission of the program	3 credit
GPS and GNSS for Geospatial Professionals	GEOG 862	Cultivates a working knowledge of current and future capabilities of GPS and the emerging Global Navigation Satellite System. Prerequisite: GEOG 484 or permission of the program	3 credits
Web Application Development for the Geospatial Professional	GEOG 863	Focuses on how geospatial professionals can create applications using industry-relevant geospatial APIs. Students will build applications using the core web technologies of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.	3 credits
Professionalism and Ethics in Geographic Information Science and Technology	GEOG 864	Prepares current and aspiring professionals to recognize, analyze, and address legal and ethical issues in the GIS&T (geospatial) field.	3 credits
Spatial Database Management for the Geospatial Professional	GEOG 868	Advanced topics in the storage, management, and retrieval of geospatial data using common proprietary and open-source relational database technologies.	3 credits
Cloud and Server GIS	GEOG 865	Theory and practical applications of using cloud computing and server resources to solve geospatial problems. Prerequisite: GEOG 484 or permission of the program	3 credits
Geospatial Technology Project Management	GEOG 871	Principles of effective project management applied to the design and implementation of geospatial information systems. Prerequisite: GEOG 583	3 credits
Advanced Analytic Methods in Geospatial Intelligence	GEOG 885	Prepares current and aspiring geospatial intelligence professionals to apply and interpret results of non-quantitative analysis and modeling techniques. Prerequisite: GEOG 882	3 credits
Geospatial Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)	GEOG 892	Introduces theory and methods for operating an unmanned aerial system for geospatial data acquisition and analysis. Prerequisite: GEOG 480	3 credits
Introduction to Multi-Sensor Data Fusion	IST 885	General concepts, mathematical techniques, process models, computer architectures, and implementation issues. Prerequisite: GEOG 882	3 credits

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.