Geographic Information Science, PhD
Are you ready to apply state-of-the-art geospatial analysis methods to social, economic and environmental problems? Join a school filled with innovative faculty within the discipline and leading research centers who are forging this path of discovery.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in geographic information science prepares you to be a part of the next generation of scientists and engineers, enabling you to excel in theoretical, computational, analytical and technical knowledge in transdisciplinary geospatial sciences.
In this doctoral program, you have the opportunity to conduct research at the Spatial Analysis Research Center alongside distinguished faculty specializing in remote sensing and earth observation, GIS, geoinformatics, spatial statistics and spatial-temporal analysis. You have the opportunity to investigate a variety of issues, including voting habits, health crises, altering landscapes and more --- all in an effort to better understand this complex and changing world.
The program has sufficient flexibility to allow for individual needs and interests, enabling you to create a plan of study that fits your personal, academic and professional goals.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (12 credit hours) Electives or Research (55 credit hours) Remote Sensing (3 credit hours) Other Requirements (2 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
GCU 585 Geographic Research Design and Proposal Writing (3)
GIS 520 GIScience Issues and Debates (3)
GIS 521 Geographic Information Science Programming (3)
GIS 571 Spatial Statistics for Geography and Planning (3)
GCU 591 or GPH 591 Seminar: Geography Colloquium (2)
GIS 799 Dissertation (12)
Students select electives, remote sensing and other requirements seminar coursework in consultation with their academic advisor. Students must complete at least nine credit hours of 500-, 600- or 700-level courses offered by SGSUP with prefixes PUP, GPH, GCU or GIS.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Analyze scholarly literature associated with a research question for their doctoral research.
- Create a dissertation proposal that clearly demonstrates significance, innovation, and a scientifically justified approach to address a novel research question.
- Apply appropriate advanced research methodology in geographic information sciences to their doctoral research
Analyze scholarly literature associated with a research question for their doctoral research.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in geography, geology, earth science, computer programming, GIS, environmental science, geomatics or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Letters of recommendation should be from academic professionals or professional colleagues capable of evaluating the applicant's abilities, accomplishments and professional potential. The written statement must address the following questions: In the written statement, applicants also should provide any other information (for example, research experience or information that might be drawn from a resume) that they feel the committee should consider in the application for admission. The written statement should be no longer than two pages. A generic statement, often sent to multiple universities, does not substitute for a statement that addresses the applicant's reasons for applying to this program.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/15 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Professionals with expertise in geospatial information science research, theory and practice are in high demand across sectors and industries, including in institutions of higher education, consulting firms and government agencies. Skills in geographical data science, mapping and data analysis are valuable to businesses and institutions that rely on data-driven approaches to solve complex problems.
Career examples include:
- computer scientist
- conservation scientist
- geoscientist
- geospatial information scientist or technologist
- geospatial intelligence analyst
- remote sensing scientist or technologist
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
|
COOR 5th floor
SGSUP.gradprograms@asu.edu
480-965-8733
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
