The Master of Geographic Information Science and Technology (MGIST) program at Ohio State is specifically designed for professionals who wish to advance their careers. This program includes 15 courses directly related to the GIS profession. To graduate, students need 33 credit hours, including a capstone to showcase their skills and knowledge. The fully online program provides students with flexibility that fits their own schedule. Students can also apply for the in-person program to experience the excellent vibes of the Columbus campus.
A total of 33 credit hours are required to complete the MGIST program.
Required core courses (4 courses, 12 hours):
- GEOG 5101: GIS Professionalism and Ethics - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5200: Cartography and Map Design - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5210: Fundamentals of GIS - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5225: Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing - 3 credit hours
Intermediate elective courses (choose 3 courses, 9 hours):
- GEOG 5103: Intermediate Spatial Data Analysis - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5201: Geovisualization - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5212: Geospatial Databases for GIS - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5222: GIS Algorithms and Programming - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 5229: Emerging Topics in GIS - 3 credit hours
Advanced elective courses (choose 3 courses, 9 hours)
- GEOG 5223: Design and Implementation of GIS - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 6223: Web GIS Development - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 6226: Spatial Simulation and Modeling in GIS - 3 credit hours
- GEOG 6286: Geodemography: GIS in Social Science and Business Research - 3 credit hours
- PUBAFRS 7555: Project Management in the Public Sector - 3 credit hours
Required capstone project (3 hours):
- GEOG 6299 GIS Capstone Project - 3 credit hours
- For Spring start: December 1 (domestic applicants), November 15 (international)
- For Autumn start: June 1 (domestic applicants), May 15 (international)
If you are a veteran, please visit this page for Veterans Administration Educational Benefits.
The instructional fee for the 2023-24 academic year is $782.19 per credit hour. Students also need to pay a general fee of $29.88 and a student union fees of $9.30 per credit hour.
Non-resident (out-of-state) students in the online MGIST program will have a flat-rate surcharge of $200 per semester/term.
Non-resident (out-of-state) students in the in-person MGIST program will have a surcharge of $1,733.13 per credit hour per semester/term.
Per credit hour fee is not to exceed the total cost of 8 credit hours.
Please visit https://registrar.osu.edu/FeeTables/MainFeeTables.asp for updated details about tuition and fees.
For more information about financial aid, please visit https://online.osu.edu/future-students/financial-aid.
For questions and information about the MGIST program, please contact:
Dr. Ningchuan Xiao, MGIST Director
Email: xiao.37@osu.edu
Office: 1160 Derby Hall
Ms. Joslyn Branham, Graduate Program Coordinator
Email: branham.118@osu.edu
Office: 1036 Derby Hall
