GIST Master's Program

Today, the number of skilled GIST professionals remains limited and market opportunities abound for those capable of working with complex data and sophisticated applications. The USC Dornsife GIST faculty focus on providing students with core science education and tailored practical applications that they can use in their professional and research careers. GIST graduates have the advanced knowledge and techniques to develop their own GIS applications, rather than merely being schooled in the use of software.

The GIST Master of Science requires the completion of six graduate courses plus a Master's Thesis (28 units). Required core courses begin with Concepts for Spatial Thinking (GEOG 581) followed by Spatial Databases (GEOG 582) and GPS/GIS Field Techniques (GEOG 587) plus three GIST electives appropriate to the student's application interests. In the capstone Master’s Thesis (GEOG 594), students design and execute an original, advanced, independent investigation in their field of GIS under the direction of a faculty committee. In the investigation and presentation of their master’s thesis, students develop outcomes as well as in-depth knowledge of the relevant GIS literature, methodologies and research activities in that field. These online courses are available to students worldwide. The GIST Master of Science Program can be completed within 16 months (four semesters) when students take two courses in each of the fall, spring and summer semesters.