Geospatial Analytics Curriculum
Why should I choose Purdue?
The curriculum is designed to provide you with an interdisciplinary skill set, including advanced analytical and communication skills. Combining these skills will prepare you for leadership roles in your chosen field.
Is this degree accredited?
There are two types of accreditation, institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, often referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine a college or university as a whole. Purdue University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA) since 1913. Our most recent accreditation visit was in March of 2010.
The HLC's new Open Pathway for maintaining accreditation seeks to offer greater value to institutions by focusing on both an assurance of quality and an engagement in continuous improvement. Two Assurance Reviews will take place in the ten-year cycle. One in Year 4 through an online reporting system and one in Year 10 that couples the online assurance report with a campus visit. In addition, our campus will complete a Quality Initiative between Years 5 and 9 focused on institutional innovation and improvement suited to our needs and circumstances.
How many total credits are required?
30 credit hours are required for this degree.
What will my degree transcript be awarded as?
After successfully completing all required courses, your transcript will read Master of Science in Graduate Studies with a major in Applied Geospatial Analytics.
What is the frequency of starts for this program?
This degree offers two starts: Fall (August) and Spring (January).
How are the courses delivered?
As a Purdue graduate student you will be taking classes in an online environment. Instructors provide the material, lectures, tests and assignments that can be accessed at any time. Your lectures are not time restricted, meaning you don't need to be logged in to preview your course material at a specific time.
All of your course activities, assignments, and exams must be completed by their respective due dates. You will need to view course lectures regularly to keep current. Course lengths are either 8-weeks long. In addition to courses being available in the spring and fall, some courses are offered in the summer allowing you to complete the master's degree at a faster pace.
What computer requirements are needed to take an online course?
The operating system that works best with the required software of the program is Windows 10 or better, with 16 GB of RAM minimum, and an i5 processor at a minimum. Intel or AMD CPU Processors are necessary. Students will also need at least 4GB of space on a thumb drive or hard drive.
What software is needed for coursework?
All required software is available to download for free from ITAP. The different courses utilize ArcGIS Pro, ERDAS Imagine 2000, Fragstats, R Packages, Anaconda, Python, and Microsoft Office Suite.
How will I be graded?
Students are graded based on their performance in class. The courses we offer online will have various methods for grading depending on the specific requirements for a given class. Students can expect to experience any combination of homework, graded exams, final projects, group work or graded reports. Purdue Grading Scale
How many hours per week should I expect to dedicate to a course?
Plan to spend between 10-20 hours per week of study time for each 3 credit-hour course.
How long will it take me to obtain a master's degree?
You can complete the master’s degree in 1-5 years by taking either one or two course(s) per semester. How quickly you complete your degree depends on you, we have no “set time limits” on your online studies. We will be glad to advise and keep you on track to meet your goals. The Plan of Study outlines the required courses as well as when each course is offered.
Admission to the Applied Geospatial Analytics Masters Program
Is the GRE or GMAT required?
No, the GRE or GMAT are not required. The Admissions Committee reviews all other admission materials submitted to determine an admission decision. Please review the admission requirements before submitting your application.
What if I don’t have a GPA of 3.0 in my Baccalaureate, should I still apply?
Yes, we ask that you let us know so we can determine the best course of action. We understand that you’ve built a successful career as a professional and there may have been special circumstances that affected your GPA. The Admissions Committee may suggest you be admitted conditionally- and we will explain any additional requirements you may need to meet. Your Statement of Purpose Essay is a great place to address any special circumstances surrounding your Baccalaureate GPA, such as a low GPA, and how you plan to convert these experiences into success as a graduate student.
What should be included in the Graduate Admissions Essays?
The Graduate School Application requires two admissions essays: an Academic Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement.
The Academic Statement of Purpose is an opportunity for you to share information that will help reviewers understand your academic interests and objectives, assess your academic background, preparation, and training, and determine if you are a good match for the Applied Geospatial Analytics program.
The Personal History Statement helps reviewers learn more about you as a whole person and as a potential graduate student. This may include relevant details on community service, leadership roles, participation in diverse teams, and significant barriers that you overcame in order to be successful in the Applied Geospatial Analytics program.
Who should my Professional Letter of Recommendations come from?
The best letters you can secure are those from a current/past Employer, co-workers/colleagues, tutors and other mentors. Never ask family members or close friends. Letters of Recommendation.
Do you offer financial aid?
For all Purdue Online programs, you’ll go through the same aid process and have similar options for aid as do other students. Learn more about financial aid here.