Master of Geographic Information Systems and Data Analytics (Credit Hour)
The Master of Geographic Information Systems and Data Analytics (MGISDA) is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop in-demand skills for application and problem-solving in a variety of organizational settings. The program is a unique interdisciplinary course of study that offers students, who have earned a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in any field, the advantage of learning how to synthesize data utilizing a range of industry-relevant tools. Students will be able to visually communicate insights based on data to improve decision making and problem solving. Graduates may pursue emerging career opportunities in private, government, and non-profit sectors.
Program Mission Statement
The Master of Geographic Information Systems and Data Analytics program equips students with the skills to manage and analyze data, and impactfully communicate outcomes visually and orally to discover trends, guide decision-making, and influence business practices. The curriculum provides a foundation of methodologies and analytical tools, as well as practical and applied expertise needed in the real world.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
- Software Solutions: Apply software to perform data analysis.
- Data Analytics: Analyze various types of data to discover insights and trends, and report information for strategic decision-making.
- Decision-Making: Implement processes to evaluate data to make effective decisions that align with and support business strategy.
- Strategic Communication: Synthesize informational insights and findings to communicate using written, oral, and visual methods.
- Project Management: Create a framework for overseeing a project with a data analytical perspective from initiation to completion.
Requirements for Admission
The prospective graduate student in the MGISDA program must demonstrate his or her readiness to succeed in graduate-level academic coursework by satisfactorily fulfilling one of the following admission options. All graduate admissions options listed below require an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Admission by GPA
A 2.75 grade point average (GPA) calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed in either a baccalaureate or post baccalaureate program, including credits earned toward a credential. All credits used for GPA calculation must be from a regionally accredited institution. For graduates of regionally accredited institutions that do not conduct a GPA calculation, an official letter from the University determining grade equivalency will be accepted.
Admission by Prior Graduate Degree
An earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
Admission by Portfolio
Submission of a portfolio of evidence that shows adequate preparation for graduate studies. The portfolio will contain: writing samples that show graduate level communications and analytical skills; a detailed resume showing professional development and achievements; awards; professional recognition; letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant’s ability to do graduate level work; and a letter of explanation detailing the reasons the student believes they are a good candidate for graduate study in the field they wish to pursue. If the portfolio meets substantive approval of the committee, the applicant may be invited for an interview. The decision of the School Graduate Admissions Committee will be final.
Transfer of Coursework
Maximum of 9 semester credits may be accepted in transfer. (See the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.)
The MGISDA program will accept transfer of military coursework which meets the following requirements:
- Course requested for transfer must include an official transcript or copy of an ACE evaluation which verifies graduate-level work;
- Coursework must be letter graded or provide verification of completion at a grade of “B” or higher;
- Coursework must be comparable to program requirements (if marginal comparability, a written statement of rationale must be provided); and
In addition to University policies concerning transfer of coursework, University of Massachusetts Global may approve one of the following exceptions:
- Transfer of twelve elective credits to the MGISDA upon receipt of appropriate official documentation of successful completion of the University of California, Irvine Extension Project Management Certificate provided that all required certificate courses were completed with a grade of “B" within the last seven years.
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Transfer of twelve elective credits to the MGISDA Degree for eligible Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired and prior military service members for completion of military coursework comparable to OLCU 641 Leadership in Military Communication Leadership in Military Communication, OLCU 643 Military Operations Leadership Military Operations Leadership, HRCU 618 Career Management Career Management, and HRCU 605 Talent Management Talent Management. Qualifications and provisions of this twelve credit transfer opportunity include:
a. The service member must qualify for admission to the MGISDA degree program. (See Graduate Admission section of this catalog).
b. Active Duty, active reserve, retired and prior service military members in the following ranks are eligible: Commissioned Officer (any rank), Senior NCO (E7 or above) or CW2 or above.
c. Commissioned Officers must be graduates of a commissioning program (OCS or equivalent, ROTC, Military Academy) and an officer basic career course. Senior NCOs must be E7 or above and graduates of a career NCO Advanced Course. Warrant Officers must be CW2 or above and graduates of a Warrant Officer Candidate School and a Warrant Officer career course.
d. The seven-year rule for completion of all coursework toward the MGISDA degree applies, including transfer credit for military schooling. (See Seven-Year Limitation in Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.)
e. Recipients of the twelve-credit transfer must complete all remaining coursework for the MGISDA degree at University of Massachusetts Global in accordance with academic policy.
f. Students, including service members, may enroll only in the MGISDA Program. Student using VA benefits should contact their advisor regarding how enrolling in a fully online program may affect their benefits.
Specific Requirements for the Degree
The MGISDA program consists of two segments. The first segment is the MGISDA Core consisting of 24 credits. The second segment of the MGISDA program consists of 12 credits of electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| OLCU 501 | Organizational Research | 3 |
| BUSU 610 | Data Analysis for Decision Making | 3 |
| BUSU 670 | Data Foundations | 3 |
| BUSU 661 | Data Analytics Toolkit | 3 |
| BUSU 663 | Database Solutions | 3 |
| BUSU 671 | Data Visualization and Presentation | 3 |
| BUSU 672 | Project Planning and Data Modeling | 3 |
| BUSU 673 | Project Implementation and Analysis | 3 |
| Core Requirements Subtotal | 24 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
MGISDA Electives
MGISDA students may select an individualized set of electives from the graduate courses listed in the following discipline areas: Accounting, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Geographic Information Systems, Human Resources, International Business, Organizational Leadership, Marketing, and Computer Science. Successful completion of the University of California, Irvine Extension Project Management Certificate, as described in the Transfer Credit Policy, may substitute for the described MGISDA electives.