Overview
The Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree Program with a concentration in Applied Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS) is newly established program to expand our existing online Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Geospatial Information Systems (GIS). The program offers students with opportunities to study a PSM Degree with a concentration in Applied GIS. Courses in this program are delivered online with an on-ground required internship. The program is designed for individuals who wish to pursue careers in professional settings other than research or academia, and who do not wish to pursue additional educational opportunities at the doctoral level. The PSM Degree Program with a concentration in Applied GIS is a non-thesis offering and requires completion of 36 semester credit hours. Students will be trained in real-world situations through internships and theoretical principles through online courses. Students will acquire on-the-job experience with at least 300 internship hours under immediate supervision of an Applied GIS practitioner.
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) is an online stand-alone credential designed for degree-holding individuals who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in GIS for enhancement of their professional careers. The program will prepare individuals to meet the rapidly increasing need for graduates highly qualified in the application and use of GIS. Certificate courses are designed and taught with a practical and applied orientation. The Certificate program requires the completion of six courses (18 semester credit hours) in GIS and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and can be completed by a part-time student within twelve months.
The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences is an interdepartmental degree program offered by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. Admissions procedures for the Ph.D. program are outlined under the Department of Biological Sciences. The major advisor will be appointed by the department offering the student’s primary emphasis. Course descriptions are listed under the respective department.
Admission Requirements: PSM Program
Applicants must fulfill the following requirements for admission into the PSM Degree Program in Applied GIS:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a STEM or STEM-related field with transcripts from all institutions attended; with a grade point average of 2.75 on a4.00 point scale;
- A minimum score of 3 or higher on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) analytical writing and a score of 290 or higher on the GRE (verbal and quantitative) or rank 30th percentile or higher on the GRE (verbal and quantitative);
- A one-page statement describing personal interests, career goals,and previous academic preparation (such as math, statistics,and/or critical thinking) that will help in evaluating the candidate’s overall fit within the program;
- Two letters of recommendations from professional or academic contacts conveying the applicant’s ability for success in the program; and
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)-for international applicants from non-English speaking countries.
Program of Study: PSM Program
The PSM Degree Program with concentration in Applied GIS is an online offering with an on-ground required internship. The program consists a total of 36 semester credit hours. Should a student from the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied GIS satisfy the above admission requirement to the PSM Degree Program with a concentration in Applied GIS, all the 18 credit hours of her/his courses in the certificate program will be transferrable towards his/her PSM program of study. Similarly, a student who has been admitted to the PSM Degree Program with a concentration in Applied GIS can request a Graduate Certificate in Applied GIS after completing the required 18 credit hours.
Degree Requirements: PMS Program
A total of 36 semester credit hours are required for completion of the PSM degree Program. Other requirements for its completion are similar to those of a traditional Master’s of Science degree, with two major distinctions: 1) students will complete at least 300 internship hours instead of a thesis; and 2) students will complete a set of multidisciplinary courses of study expanded to include graduate business, economics, management, and public service. A full-time student should be able to complete the degree requirements in two years. Part-time students taking two courses (6 credit hours) per semester and four courses (12 credit hours) per academic year should be able to complete the degree requirements in three years. A cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.00 quality points) in all graduate courses taken at TSU is required for graduation. Guidelines on probation, suspension, and readmission into the program after suspension are the same as those published in this Graduate Catalog for other graduate programs.
