Applied Geospatial Information Systems, P.S.M.

Overview

The Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree Program with a concentration in Applied Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS) was established to expand our existing online Graduate Certificate Program in Applied GIS. The program offers students opportunities to study a PSM Degree with a concentration in Applied GIS. Courses in this program are delivered online and on-ground with an additional on-the-job 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 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 the immediate supervision of an Applied GIS practitioner.

Admission Requirements

A student may join the program straight with a baccalaureate degree of a STEM or STEM-related field, or via the Graduate Certificate in Applied GIS.  The first admission pathway requires a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 point scale and 290 or higher GRE score. The second admission pathway into the program consists of 18 credit hours of online Graduate Certificate in Applied GIS, all of which are transferable and partially fulfill requirements for the PSM program. On successful completion of the certificate program, students will be encouraged to transition into the PSM program using the change of program form from the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies.  In order to transition into the PSM program, students must be in good graduate academic standing (GPA >3.0). Applicants must fulfill the following requirements for admission into the PSM Degree Program in Applied GIS: 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 a 4.00 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) or other approved English proficiency test are required for international applicants from non-English speaking countries.

Degree Requirements

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.