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.
- Certificate in Arts Management and Leadership
- Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis
- Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information System
- Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence
- Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management
- Graduate Certificate in International Banking and Monetary Systems
- Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
- Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation
- Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management
- Graduate Certificate in Public Human Resources Management
- Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing
- Graduate Certificate in Spatial Data Science
Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Leadership
13-15 semester credit hours
The Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Leadership is jointly offered by the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology, program in Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences program in Public and Nonprofit Management.
This graduate certificate focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the nonprofit sector professional settings providing visual or performing arts content and services.
The Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Leadership is designed for individuals who are interested in the practical management side of the arts. This could involve running a nonprofit museum, repertory dance company, or music performance organization; managing an art gallery; or simply managing a professional creative's personal brand.
Admission Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Leadership requires current enrollment in any UT Dallas graduate program (master's or doctoral level) or completion of an undergraduate degree.
Coursework
Foundational Courses: 6 semester credit hours
PA 6382 Nonprofit Management
VPAS 6313 Advanced Studies in Creative Arts Leadership (Course is still under institutional review)
or VPAS 6395 Advanced Studies in Performing Arts Leadership (Course is still under institutional review)
Focus Courses and Internship/Professional Experience: 7-9 semester credit hours
PA 6335 Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations
or PA 6369 Grant Writing and Management
or PA 6374 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
PA 6386 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations
or SOC 6386 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations
or PA 6389 Volunteer Management
or PA 6345 Human Resources Management
PA 6V97 Internship
or VPAS 6V97 Internship/Portfolio in Arts Leadership (Course is still under institutional review)
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, 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
Three elective courses chosen from the following or as approved by the Director of the Certificate Program (9 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
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, 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 (9 semester credit hours):
GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals
GISC 6325 (GEOS 5325) Remote Sensing Fundamentals
GISC 6381 (GEOS 6381) Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals1
Two elective course 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 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
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: Patrick T. Brandt, Euel W. Elliott, Jennifer S. Holmes, Dohyeong Kim, Clint W. Peinhardt, Richard K. Scotch
Associate Professor: Simon M. Fass
Assistant-Professors: Elías Cisneros, Marcelo Leal, Erin Litzow, Anton Sobolev, Pengfei Zhang
Professors Emeriti: Brian J. L. Berry, Paul Diehl, Lloyd J. Dumas, Donald A. Hicks, Murray J. Leaf
Professor-of-Practice: Timothy M. Bray
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, 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 (6 semester credit hours):
GISC 6325 (GEOS 5325) Remote Sensing Fundamentals
GISC 7365 (GEOS 5326) Advanced Remote Sensing
Three elective courses chosen from the following, or as approved by the Director of the certificate program (9 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 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
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
Four required courses (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
One elective course (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
Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.