UT Dallas 2023 Graduate Catalog

School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Certificate Programs

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers seven graduate certificate programs for both degree and non-degree seeking students. Certificate programs are a valuable component of the school's educational mission and can be an important resource for both mid-career professionals and others seeking to advance their knowledge and expertise. The certificates are offered in: Economic and Demographic Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Intelligence (GeoInt), Local Government Management, Nonprofit Management, Program Evaluation, and Remote Sensing.

Graduate Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis

15 semester credit hours

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) offers a Graduate Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis. This graduate certificate is for students who want to gain competencies in research design, quantitative analysis and statistical modeling for applications in the fields such as public policy, urban affairs, public health, economic development, criminology, public management, financial institutions, and marketing. The Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis may be acquired by graduate degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students. For the certificate, students must complete 15 graduate semester credit hours (5 courses).

Faculty

Professors: Kurt J. Beron, Patrick T. Brandt, Dohyeong Kim

Associate Professor: Simon M. Fass

Associate Professor of Practice: Timothy M. Bray

I. Core Method Courses (6 semester credit hours)

Algebra-based Series:

EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods

EPPS 6316 Applied Regression

or

Calculus-based Series:

EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis

II. Prescribed Electives (9 semester credit hours)

Students must choose at least three courses from the following:

EPPS 6326 Machine Learning for Socio-Economic and Geo-Referenced Data

EPPS 7318 Structural Equation and Multilevel (Hierarchical) Modeling

EPPS 7344 Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables

EPPS 7370 Time Series Analysis I

EPPS 7371 Time Series Analysis II

EPPS 7386 Survey Research

EPPS 7390 Bayesian Analysis for Social and Behavioral Sciences

EPPS 7V81 Special Topics in Social Science Research Methodology

GISC 7364 Demographic and Epidemiological Analysis and Modeling

Other courses as approved by the Coordinator of the certificate program or Associate Dean of Graduate Education. However, students should check with the Coordinator of the certificate program or Associate Dean of Graduate Education for details as to the list of acceptable courses.

Students seeking the certificate who do not plan to seek a degree should (1) submit an application and (2) an undergraduate transcript. No GRE score is required. Up to 15 semester credit hours of coursework taken to fulfill the Graduate Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis can be applied later to a graduate degree. (Certificate seeking students who are interested in continuing their graduate education must formally apply to the University and their program of interest to be considered for admission.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

15 semester credit hours

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers a certificate in Geographic Information Systems for both novice and experienced GIScience professionals. Classes are offered through the state- of-the-art facilities housed within the Geospatial Information Sciences program in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. The certificate is available to both graduate degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students. The certificate requires 15 graduate semester credit hours (5 classes). All courses taken as part of this certificate also count toward the Master of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences degree, and can be taken in conjunction with the Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence and the Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing.

Faculty

Professors: Brian J. L. Berry, Yongwan Chun, Denis J. Dean, Daniel A. Griffith, Dohyeong Kim, David J. Lary, Fang Qiu, Weili Wu, May Yuan

Associate Professors: Thomas H. Brikowski, Anthony R. Cummings, Michael Tiefelsdorf, Hejun Zhu

Research Professor: John W. Geissman

Admission Requirements

Students seeking the GIS Certificate must have completed an undergraduate degree. Students may complete and submit an application for admission online. Primary admissions requirements are: (1) an application to UT Dallas and (2) an undergraduate transcript. Applicants for the certificate program do not need a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score or letters of reference for admission to the certificate program. They should apply as "non-degree seeking" students to the Geospatial Information Sciences program. Admissions requirements are the same for students who would simply like to take one or more of the related courses without pursuing certification. Up to 15 semester credit hours of coursework taken in the certificate program can be applied later in a graduate degree, if desired.

Registration by Current UT Dallas Students

Graduate students in any degree program within UT Dallas may register for GISC courses using standard registration procedures. Students should see their program advisor regarding degree plan credit assignment. Courses are listed under geospatial information sciences (GISC) in the UT Dallas class schedule with additional offerings under Geosciences (GEOS).

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science requires 15 semester credit hours earned through the following courses:

Two Required Courses (6 semester credit hours)

GISC 6381 (GEOS 6381) Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals1

GISC 6384 (GEOS 6384) Advanced Geographic Information Systems

Two elective courses chosen from the following or as approved by the Director of the Certificate Program (6 semester credit hours)

GISC 5322 (GEOS 5322) GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Surveying Techniques

GISC 5324 (GEOS 5324) 3D Data Capture and Ground Lidar

GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals

GISC 6317 Python Programming for Social Science

GISC 6321 Spatial Data Science

GISC 6323 Machine Learning for Socio-Economic and Geo-Referenced Data

GISC 6325 (GEOS 5325) Remote Sensing Fundamentals

GISC 6363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing

GISC 6375 Spatial Optimization

GISC 6379 Special Topics in Geographic Information Sciences

GISC 6385 (GEOS 6385) GIS Theories, Models and Issues

GISC 6388 Advanced GIS Programming

GISC 7310 Advanced GIS Data Analysis

GISC 7360 GIS Pattern Analysis

GISC 7361 Spatial Statistics

GISC 7365 (GEOS 5326) Advanced Remote Sensing

One Required Research Project Course (3 semester credit hours)

GISC 6387 (GEOS 6387) Geospatial Sciences Workshop

Students should take this course with varied research topics if different certificate programs are pursued.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

1. Individuals experienced with GIS may have the introductory course (GISC 6381) waived at the discretion of the program head, but must take an additional course from the elective courses listed in this certificate program.

Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence (GeoInt)

15 semester credit hours

Geospatial Intelligence (GeoInt) is a rapidly evolving field that demands certain technical skill sets, the ability for individual rapid critical thinking, and a global awareness of supporting information for national security and other intelligence activities. This certificate program produces graduates that have met the requirements for such professionals set forth by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).

Classes are offered through the state of the art facilities housed within the Geospatial Information Sciences program in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. The certification requires 15 graduate semester credit hours (5 classes) detailed below. All courses taken as part of this certificate also count toward the Master of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences degree, and can be taken in conjunction with the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and the Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing.

Faculty

Professors: Brian J. L. Berry, Yongwan Chun, Denis J. Dean, Daniel A. Griffith, Dohyeong Kim, David J. Lary, Fang Qiu, Weili Wu, May Yuan

Associate Professors: Thomas H. Brikowski, Anthony R. Cummings, Michael Tiefelsdorf, Hejun Zhu

Research Professor: John W. Geissman

Mission

The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence is to provide students with a broad set of skills in the areas of geographic information systems, remote sensing, geospatial statistical analysis, intelligence gathering, and global positioning systems. Courses will emphasize these skills along with the ability to find and interpret data, conduct accurate analysis, work in a professional and collaborative environment, and communicate effectively. UT Dallas geospatial intelligence certificate graduates will have demonstrated to the intelligence community that they have acquired the basic skills needed for employment in this high growth industry.

Registration by Current UT Dallas Students

Graduate students in any degree program within UT Dallas may register for GISC courses using standard registration procedures. Students should see their program advisor regarding degree-plan credit assignment. Courses are listed under geospatial information sciences (GISC) in the UT Dallas class schedule with additional offerings under Geosciences (GEOS) and Management Information Systems (MIS).

Required Coursework (15 semester credit hours)

Three required courses:

GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals

GISC 6325 (GEOS 5325) Remote Sensing Fundamentals

GISC 6381 (GEOS 6381) Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals1

One elective course chosen from the following, or as approved by the Director of the certificate program:

GISC 5322 (GEOS 5322) GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Surveying Techniques

GISC 5324 (GEOS 5324) 3D Data Capture and Ground Lidar

GISC 6317 Python Programming for Social Science

GISC 6321 Spatial Data Science

GISC 6323 Machine Learning for Socio-Economic and Geo-Referenced Data

GISC 6363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing

GISC 6375 Spatial Optimization

GISC 6379 Special Topics in Geographic Information Sciences

GISC 6384 (GEOS 6384) Advanced Geographic Information Systems

GISC 6385 (GEOS 6385) GIS Theories, Models and Issues

GISC 6388 Advanced GIS Programming

GISC 7310 Advanced GIS Data Analysis

GISC 7360 GIS Pattern Analysis

GISC 7361 Spatial Statistics

GISC 7365 (GEOS 5326) Advanced Remote Sensing

GISC 7366 (GEOS 5329) Applied Remote Sensing

GISC 7387 GIS Research Design

MIS 6320 Database Foundations

MIS 6324 Business Analytics With SAS

MIS 6360 Agile Project Management

One required research project course:

GISC 6387 (GEOS 6387) Geospatial Sciences Workshop

Students should take this course with varied research topics if different certificate programs are pursued.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

1. Individuals experienced with GIS may have the introductory course (GISC 6381) waived at the discretion of the program head, but must take an additional course from the elective courses listed in this certificate program.

Graduate Certificate in International Banking and Monetary Systems

15 semester credit hours

The Graduate Certificate in International Banking and Monetary Systems will teach students both econometric and machine learning methodologies with applications for monetary economics, forecasting, and macroeconomic aspects of banking.

This certificate program focuses on the systematic study of mathematical and statistical analysis of economic phenomena and problems. Includes instruction in economic statistics, optimization theory, cost/benefit analysis, price theory, economic modeling, and economic forecasting and evaluation.

Faculty

Professors: Brian J. L. Berry, Patrick T. Brandt, Paul Diehl, Euel W. Elliott, Jennifer S. Holmes, Dohyeong Kim, Clint W. Peinhardt, Richard K. Scotch

Associate Professors: Jonas Bunte, Simon M. Fass

Professors Emeriti: Lloyd J. Dumas, Donald A. Hicks, Murray J. Leaf

Associate Professor of Instruction: Karl K. Ho

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate degree with some statistical and/or econometric coursework. Evidence of proficiency with statistical software packages. Some familiarity with basic computer programming.

The Graduate Certificate in International Banking and Monetary Systems represents a portion of the MS in Economics program's focus on macroeconomics and international monetary economics. However, the certificate may be open to degree-seeking as well as non-degree-seeking students who meet the qualifications.

Coursework

Required Courses

ECON 5322 Macroeconomic Theory for Applications1

ECON 5303 Forecasting for Economics and Business

ECON 6305 Mathematical Economics

ECON 6306 Applied Econometrics

ECON 6357 Monetary Economics and International Banking

1. On a contingency basis, or upon availability, ECON 5322 may be substituted by ECON 6356 or PPPE 6368.

Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management

12 semester credit hours

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management for local government professionals and for MPA students who desire to broaden their knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators. Local governments in the United States play an important role in our democratic system. They are the place in our democratic system where citizens have the most direct contact with elected and appointed officials on numerous issues.

Local government managers operate in a complex legal and political environment. They are responsible for the provision of varied services directly to citizens, such as land use planning, law enforcement, water and sewer services, and recreation. Both the method and quality of service delivery are greatly influenced by managers who are hired by elected officials. The management of cities and counties has become increasingly professional over the past several decades. How the professional staff delivers services to the public within the political environment in which it works is the topic of many of the courses in this program. Students will gain knowledge and skills that will allow them to lead and manage in local government settings; learn critical thinking and strategic thinking; and learn to communicate in a strategic manner.

Requirements for admission to the certificate program are the same as for a non-degree seeking graduate student. Completion of twelve (12) semester credit hours is required to attain the Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management and those semester credit hours may count toward a degree if the student completes all requirements for full admission as a graduate student. The face-to-face program will continue to be offered at the UT Dallas campus. Majority of the classes will be taught in the city hall facilities in the City of Plano, specifically at its Municipal Center, or at an alternate site in one of the other participating city which has been agreed to by the cities and UT Dallas for the off-campus program.

Faculty

Professors: Meghna Sabharwal, Sheryl L. Skaggs

Associate Professors: Evgenia Gorina, James R. Harrington, Sarah Maxwell

Professor Emeritus: L. Douglas Kiel

Clinical Professor: John R. McCaskill

Associate Professor of Practice: Teodoro Benavides

Coursework

Required courses: 9 semester credit hours

PA 6321 Government Financial Management and Budgeting

PA 6344 Local Government Management

PA 6345 Human Resources Management

Prescribed Elective Courses: 3 semester credit hours

Choose any one of the following:

PA 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance

PA 6324 Urban Planning

PA 6326 Decision Tools for Managers

PA 6342 Local Economic Development

PA 6370 Project and Contract Management

PA 6386 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations

Permission from the Public Affairs Program Head or MPA Director is required for courses outside this list.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

12 semester credit hours

Nonprofit organizations constitute an increasingly significant sector of the American economy as well as an essential element in American civic life. Nonprofits are found in such diverse fields as health care, education, human services, and criminal justice, as well as in cultural and civic activities. Faced with resource constraints and rising demands for accountability, nonprofit organizations require professional managers with an understanding of both administrative principles and techniques and of the distinctive legal, economic, and social environment within which nonprofits operate.

The Certificate in Nonprofit Management is designed to provide an overview of the nature and context of nonprofit organizations combined with skill-based courses to develop the competencies needed by nonprofit managers. The certificate is intended for professionals already working in the nonprofit sector, those working in private for-profit or governmental settings who would like to work or volunteer in the nonprofit sector, and students without professional experience who seek to prepare themselves for nonprofit careers.

Completion of twelve (12) semester credit hours are required to attain the Certificate in Nonprofit Management and those semester credit hours may be counted toward a degree if the student completes all requirements for full admission as a graduate student.

Faculty

Professors: Meghna Sabharwal, Sheryl L. Skaggs

Associate Professors: Evgenia Gorina, James R. Harrington, Sarah Maxwell

Professor Emeritus: L. Douglas Kiel

Clinical Professor: John R. McCaskill

Associate Professor of Practice: Teodoro Benavides

Coursework

Required courses: 9 semester credit hours

PA 6374 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations

PA 6382 Nonprofit Management

PA 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance

Prescribed Electives: 3 credit hours

Choose any one of the following:

PA 6369 Grant Writing and Management

PA 6386 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations

PA 6387 Strategic Planning for Nonprofit

PA 6389 Volunteer Management

PA 6391 Nonprofit Marketing and Communication

Permission from the Public Affairs Program Head or MPA Director is required for courses outside this list.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation

15 semester credit hours

A graduate-level certificate in Program Evaluation offers students an opportunity to gain competencies in the design and implementation of program evaluation in various fields of public policy such as education, health care, human services, criminal justice, and economic development. The Certificate in Program Evaluation may be incorporated into graduate degree programs in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, or taken independently by non-degree seeking students. Students pursuing the certificate program are normally expected to have completed undergraduate courses in statistics and in research methods. Students lacking appropriate preparation may be asked to take needed courses prior to admission to the certificate program.

To receive the certificate, students must successfully complete a total of 15 semester credit hours of focused study, comprising of three required courses in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (9 semester credit hours) and 6 semester credit hours of field practice.

Faculty

Professors: Jennifer S. Holmes, Dohyeong Kim

Associate Professor: Simon M. Fass

I. Core Method Courses (6 semester credit hours)

Algebra-based Series:

EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods

EPPS 6316 Applied Regression

or

Calculus-based Series:

EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis

II. Evaluation Method Course (3 semester credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

EPPS 7304 Cost-Benefit Analysis

PA 6315 (SOC 6315) Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance

PPPE 6310 Research Design I

III. Evaluation Research Project (6 semester credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

PPPE 6V91 Evaluation Research (6 semester credit hours)1

or EPPS 6V97 Internship (6 semester credit hours)1

With permission of the Coordinator of the certificate program or Associate Dean of Graduate Education, students may substitute appropriate courses from other offerings in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences or prior coursework taken at other institutions.

Students interested in applying for admission to the Certificate in Program Evaluation should consult the graduate advising office in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

1. This is a two-semester long program evaluation project that culminates in a final report.

Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management

12 semester credit hours

The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences, Public and Nonprofit Management Department is offering a graduate certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management which is designed to enhance students' understanding and experience in public budgeting and financial management and control, governmental or non-profit accounting, and public expenditure planning, management, and fiscal control. Employers are seeking to hire employees with some level of advanced education. A graduate certificate in public budgeting and financial management can help meet those expectations by expanding public sector knowledge and allowing students to keep skills relevant and updated.

Students will learn the theory and practice of raising public revenue, allocating resources through the budgeting process, and managing public assets and other fiscal resources. The applied and experiential nature of the advanced courses in this certificate will prepare students for a variety of positions in government finance and budgeting, management, ratio analysis that is critical to nonprofit and government, and applied program and policy analysis.

The Public Budgeting and Financial Management Certificate requires the completion of four graduate courses (12 semester credit hours). The courses taken for this certificate will apply to the MPA degree requirements if the student meets the conditions for full admission as a degree-seeking graduate student to the MPA program.

Faculty

Professors: Meghna Sabharwal, Sheryl L. Skaggs

Associate Professors: Evgenia Gorina, James R. Harrington, Sarah Maxwell

Professor Emeritus: L. Douglas Kiel

Clinical Professor: John R. McCaskill

Associate Professor of Practice: Teodoro Benavides

Coursework

Required Core: 9 semester credit hours

EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods

PA 6350 Governmental Reporting and Financial Statement Analysis

PA 6321 Government Financial Management and Budgeting

Prescribed Electives: 3 credit hours

Choose any one of the following:

PA 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance

PA 6347 Capital Budgeting and Debt Administration1

PA 6324 Urban Planning

PA 6374 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations

Permission from the Public Affairs Program Head or MPA Director is required for courses outside this list.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

1. Prerequisite of EPPS 6313 is required before enrolling in PA 6347

Graduate Certificate in Public Human Resources Management

12 semester credit hours

In today's multifaceted organizations, public human resource professionals must respond to the growing challenges of regulatory compliance, complex benefit plans, and training and motivating employees. This proposed graduate certificate program is designed to give students a full introduction to the principles, strategies, and techniques of public human resources management. The program will foster a deep understanding of organizational development, diversity and effective change management; workforce planning and strategic recruitment; and training and performance management in the public and nonprofit sectors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected the demand for human resources professionals to grow 9% by 2024. As the competition for this job grows, HR professionals with valuable graduate certificates make them to be more likely to stand out from the other candidates.

The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences, Public and Nonprofit Management Department is offering a graduate certificate in Public Human Resources Management which is designed to enhance students' understanding and experience in human resources management in the public and nonprofit sectors and prepare them to advance in their field.

Personal benefits of public human resources graduate certificates

  • Strengthens résumé
  • Provides personal satisfaction
  • Differentiates one from non-certified Human Resources professionals
  • Increases chances of getting a better job outside one's organization
  • Helps be more successful as an HR professional
  • Helps prove worth/value to the employer
  • Increases earning potential
  • Helps manage diverse relationships
  • Allows to have a greater impact to the organizations' success
  • Improves career advancement opportunities within an organization.

The Public Human Resource Management Certificate requires the completion of four graduate courses (12 semester credit hours). The courses taken for this certificate will apply to the MPA degree requirements if the student meets the conditions for full admission as a degree-seeking graduate student to the MPA program.

Faculty

Professors: Meghna Sabharwal, Sheryl L. Skaggs

Associate Professors: Evgenia Gorina, James R. Harrington, Sarah Maxwell

Professor Emeritus: L. Douglas Kiel

Clinical Professor: John R. McCaskill

Associate Professor of Practice: Teodoro Benavides

Coursework

Required Core: 9 semester credit hours

PA 6320 Organizational Theory

PA 6345 Human Resources Management

PA 6386 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations

Prescribed Electives: 3 credit hours

Choose any one of the following:

PA 6326 Decision Tools for Managers

PA 6322 Negotiations for Effective Management

PA 6389 Volunteer Management

Permission from the Public Affairs Program Head or MPA Director is required for courses outside this list.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing

15 semester credit hours

The Remote Sensing Certificate is administered jointly by the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the Department of Geosciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (1997) defines remote sensing as the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting imagery and digital representations of energy patterns derived from non-contact sensor systems. Remote sensing involves a powerful set of computerized software and hardware, and sophisticated mathematical, statistical and logical techniques for extraction and presentation of information acquired via non-contact sensors. It provides reliable and cost-effective means of studying the Earth's surface for urban planning, natural resources management and protection, and a wide variety of other fields. Government and non-government organizations continuously seek qualified professionals to use remote sensing for a wide range of applications.

Faculty

Professors: Brian J. L. Berry, Yongwan Chun, Denis J. Dean, Daniel A. Griffith, Dohyeong Kim, David J. Lary, Fang Qiu, Robert J. Stern, Weili Wu, May Yuan

Associate Professors: Thomas H. Brikowski, Anthony R. Cummings, Michael Tiefelsdorf

Admission Requirements

Students seeking the Remote Sensing certificate must have completed an undergraduate degree. Students may complete and submit an application for admission online. Primary admission requirements are: (1) an application to UT Dallas, and (2) an undergraduate transcript. Applicants for the certificate program do not need a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score or letters of reference for admission.

Students should apply as "non-degree seeking" students to the Geospatial Information Sciences program. Admission requirements for these students are similar to admission requirements for those students who would simply like to take one or more of the related courses without pursuing a certificate.

Up to 15 semester credit hours of course work taken in the certificate program can be applied later to a graduate degree, if desired.

Registration by Current UT Dallas Students

Graduate students in any degree program within UT Dallas may register for GISC courses using standard registration procedures. Students should see their program advisor regarding degree-plan credit assignment. Courses are listed under geospatial information sciences (GISC) in the UT Dallas class schedule with additional offerings under Geosciences (GEOS) and Management Information Systems (MIS).

Required Coursework (15 semester credit hours)

Two required courses:

GISC 6325 (GEOS 5325) Remote Sensing Fundamentals

GISC 7365 (GEOS 5326) Advanced Remote Sensing

Two elective courses chosen from the following, or as approved by the Director of the certificate program:

GISC 5322 (GEOS 5322) GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Surveying Techniques

GISC 5324 (GEOS 5324) 3D Data Capture and Ground Lidar

GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals

GISC 6317 Python Programming for Social Science

GISC 6321 Spatial Data Science

GISC 6323 Machine Learning for Socio-Economic and Geo-Referenced Data

GISC 6363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing

GISC 6375 Spatial Optimization

GISC 6379 Special Topics in Geographic Information Sciences

GISC 6381 (GEOS 6381) Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals1

GISC 6384 (GEOS 6384) Advanced Geographic Information Systems

GISC 6385 (GEOS 6385) GIS Theories, Models and Issues

GISC 6388 Advanced GIS Programming

GISC 7310 Advanced GIS Data Analysis

GISC 7360 GIS Pattern Analysis

GISC 7361 Spatial Statistics

GISC 7387 GIS Research Design

One required research project course:

GISC 6387 (GEOS 6387) Geospatial Sciences Workshop

Students should take this course with varied research topics if different certificate programs are pursued.

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

1. Individuals experienced with GIS may have the introductory course (GISC 6381) waived at the discretion of the program head, but must take an additional course from the elective courses listed in this certificate program.

Graduate Certificate in Spatial Data Science

15 semester credit hours

The Spatial Data Science certificate is an interdisciplinary program that integrates the strengths of Geospatial Information Sciences and Social Data Analytics and Research Programs. It focuses on offering geospatial professionals with data collection and analytical, knowledge mining, machine learning, big data handling, and programming skills, and equipping data science professionals with capabilities in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing/drone, geovisualization, locational intelligence, and spatial pattern analysis, which allows the solving of real world location problems in various areas including agriculture, environment management, insurance, marketing, retail and real estate, oil and mining, public health, social and public services, transportation, smart city and urban planning.

Faculty

Professors: Patrick T. Brandt, Yongwan Chun, Dohyeong Kim, Fang Qiu, May Yuan

Associate Professor: Michael Tiefelsdorf

Associate Professor of Instruction: Karl K. Ho, Muhammad Rahman

Lecturer: Bryan Chastain

Admission Requirements

Students seeking the Graduate Certificate in Spatial Data Science should submit an application with their undergraduate transcript GPA of at least 3.00; a Current transcript with a GPA of at least 3.00 for the embedded certificate program; and at least two letters of recommendation for the stand-alone certificate program.

International students will also need an English proficiency test score that meet the university requirement for the stand-alone certificate program.

Coursework

Required (12 semester credit hours)

GISC 6381 (GEOS 6381) Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals

GISC 6321 Spatial Data Science

EPPS 6302 Methods of Data Collection and Production

EPPS 6323 Knowledge Mining

Elective (3 semester credit hours)

Select One Course From the Following:

GISC 6317 (EPPS 6317) Python Programming for Social Science

GISC 6363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing

GISC 6384 (GEOS 6384) Advanced Geographic Information Systems

GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals

EPPS 6326 (GISC 6323) Machine Learning for Socio-Economic and Geo-Referenced Data

EPPS 6356 Data Visualization

EPPS 6354 Information Management

Updated: 2023-08-03 10:01:46 v3.e1c020