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.
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.