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GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
Geospatial Intelligence Analytics (GEOINT)

Apply geographic information science to intelligence analysis.

CERTIFICATE TYPE
Graduate
MODE OF STUDY
Online
ADMISSION
Year Round
REQUIREMENTS
15 Credits
COMPLETION TIME
~1 Year
TUITION
$1007 per credit hour

Program Overview

Our Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence Analytics is designed for geospatial intelligence professionals with experience in geographic information systems and remote sensing. The program promotes sound theory, methodologies, techniques, ethics, and best practices in the professional application of geospatial intelligence. The 15-credit curriculum integrates the geospatial information science and intelligence disciplines. The program is also well-suited for the geospatial intelligence professional serving outside the continental US.

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diagram of interacting data
Spatial Analysis

Apply geographic analysis tools, methods, and techniques to produce geospatial intelligence for applications in national security, disaster response, environmental resource preservation, and other industry scenarios.

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relationships
Relationships

Learn about the relationships between culture and civil security and the process of geographically analyzing social, political, economic, and demographic information to understand human history, institutions, and behaviors.

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Analysis
Image Analysis

Leverage object-based image analysis methods, automate feature extraction techniques, assess accuracy, process imagery from a variety of common sources, and apply image analysis to real-world applications.

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problem solving
Problem Solving

Combine spatial thinking, information literacy, and geospatial technology skills with knowledge of cultural and political geography to solve complicated problems in a variety of intelligence fields. 

Prepared for the Future


Graduates of this program will have a strong foundation in geospatial intelligence and its many applications in a variety of fields. Many students continue their studies in one of our online master’s degree programs.

USGIF Accreditation
Penn State’s GEOINT certificates are fully accredited by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF). USGIF’s accreditation program was established in 2005 to encourage higher education institutions to develop academic certificates that prepare students to advance the geospatial intelligence field. When you earn a GEOINT certificate from Penn State, you will also receive a certificate from the USGIF.

The Geospatial Intelligence program is academic partners with:

USGIF IALEIA International Association for Intelligence Education Defense Surveyors Association

Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence Analytics is a 15-credit, fully online certificate program. Credits earned in the certificate can be applied toward the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security, the Master of GIS, or the Master of Science in Spatial Data Science degree programs.

The typical student course load is one course per 10-week session. At that pace, students can complete the certificate in approximately one year. Time off can be taken between courses if necessary.

COURSE NUMBERTITLENEXT OFFERINGTECHNOLOGY
GEOG 571 Intelligence Analysis, Cultural Geography, and Homeland Security Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Story Maps, Google MyMaps, Portal for ArcGIS
GEOG 884 Spatial Data Science and Intelligence Analysis Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, CARTO, GeoDa, QGIS
GEOG 883 * Remote Sensing Image Analysis and Applications Fall 1, 2023 Amazon Web Services, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, eCognition Developer
GEOG 480 * Exploring Imagery and Elevation Data in GIS Applications Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Pro

Each of these courses is worth 3 credits. 

*Students may take GEOG 883 OR GEOG 480 in order to earn the GEOINT Certificate. 

Choose one of the following courses for your elective:

COURSE NUMBERTITLENEXT OFFERINGTECHNOLOGY
GEOG 479 Spatial Data Science for Cyber and Human Social Networks Fall 2, 2023 NodeXL
GEOG 480 Exploring Imagery and Elevation Data in GIS Applications Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Pro
GEOG 481 Topographic Mapping with Lidar Fall 2, 2023 ArcGIS Pro, GeoCue LP360
GEOG 482 Making Maps that Matter with GIS Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Story Maps, Python
GEOG 483 Problem Solving with GIS Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Story Maps
GEOG 484 GIS Database Development Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ModelBuilder
GEOG 485 GIS Programming and Software Development Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, Python
GEOG 486 Cartography and Visualization Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Pro, Mapbox, Mapbox Studio, Tableau
GEOG 487 Environmental Applications of GIS Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Story Maps, OpenStreetMap, Prezi
GEOG 489 Advanced Python Programming for GIS Fall 2, 2023 Anaconda, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, GDAL, Github, Jupyter, OGR, OpenStreetMap, Python, QGIS, R
GEOG 583 Geospatial System Analysis and Design Fall 1, 2023 Varies
GEOG 585 Open Web Mapping Fall 2, 2023 CSS, GDAL, GeoServer, HTML, Javascript, Leaflet, OGR, OpenLayers, OpenStreetMap, QGIS, TileMill
GEOG 586 Geographic Information Analysis Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Pro, GeoDa, R
GEOG 597 Geospatial Intelligence Principles and Methods in the Cyber Domain N/A Varies
GEOG 850 Location Intelligence for Business Fall 2, 2023 ArcGIS Online, Claritas PRIZM, Esri Business Analyst Online (BAO), US Census Bureau
GEOG 861 The Earth is Round and Maps are Flat: Spatial Reference Systems in GIS Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Pro, Geocart
GEOG 863 Web Application Development for the Geospatial Professional Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS API for Javascript, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, CodePen, CSS, HTML, Javascript, Portal for ArcGIS
GEOG 883 Remote Sensing Image Analysis and Applications Fall 1, 2023 Amazon Web Services, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, eCognition Developer
GEOG 885 Advanced Analytic Methods in Geospatial Intelligence Fall 1, 2023 ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, Google Maps, QGIS

With mentorship from a faculty advisor, students complete a hands-on project using GIS and/or remote sensing tools and techniques to demonstrate analytic skills, high-level writing competency, and the ability to identify and investigate a real-world problem from a geospatial intelligence perspective.

COURSE NUMBERTITLENEXT OFFERINGTECHNOLOGY
GEOG 594A Culminating Experiences in Geospatial Intelligence Fall 1, 2023 Varies
GEOG 594B Geospatial Intelligence Capstone Experience Fall 2, 2023 Varies
GEOG 596I * Independent Study in Geospatial Intelligence Fall 1, 2023 Varies

Note that Geography 594A is 1 credit and Geography 594B is 2 credits.

*Students may take Geography 594A and 594B OR Geography 596I for their culminating experience. 

Ready to advance your skills in Geospatial Intelligence Analysis?