Applied Geographic Information Science Micro-Credential

Applied GIS

 

College of Social Sciences

 

Earn a stand-alone micro-credential or earn a micro-credential as a current student:

 

  • To pursue a micro-credential as a professional or lifelong learner (outside of a degree program), please apply to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College under the Non-Degree Seeking, Unclassified Programs option. There is no cost to apply and applications are generally processed within 5-10 business days.
  • If you are currently a UH Mānoa student, you can add a micro-credential to your existing studies without any application.

 

Register for your courses:

 

  • Once your application has been processed, or if you are currently enrolled, you can register for your courses via STAR GPS.
  • Be sure to check the micro-credential program page for pre-requisites or specific course sequences.

 

Complete the Statement of Intent form

 

  • Complete the Statement of Intent form and indicate the micro-credential you are interested in.
  • You will receive an email notification confirming receipt of your form

 

Complete your courses and claim your digital badge:

 

  • Complete and pass all of the required courses required for the micro-credential.
  • After successfully finishing your coursework, you will receive information on how to claim your shareable digital badge to showcase your new skills.

 

About This Micro-Credential

This micro-credential provides structured, applied training in Geographic Information Science (GIScience) and applied GIS for community and environmental planning contexts. Designed as a two-course, competency-based sequence, it moves learners from foundational GIScience concepts to applied spatial analysis, participatory GIS, and decision-support workflows. The curriculum addresses workforce demand for professionals who can collect, manage, analyze, and communicate spatial data to support planning, environmental management, infrastructure analysis, and community engagement.

 

How to Get Started

While there are no formal prerequisites, basic computer literacy and file management skills are expected. GEO 388 is recommended first to provide the foundational GIS knowledge expected in PLAN 473 – these include spatial data models, coordinate systems, spatial queries, basic spatial analysis, and cartographic communication.  Courses are offered in both in-person and fully online formats, with sections rotating by semester to ensure regular access to fully online options. You’ll complete hands-on lab assignments, spatial analyses, and applied projects.

 

Coursework

Complete both courses in sequence (6 credits total): GEO 388 (Introduction to Geographic Information Science) and PLAN 473 (GIS for Community & Environmental Planning). PLAN 473 applies these foundations to planning contexts, emphasizing participatory GIS, decision-support analysis, suitability modeling, and spatial communication.

 

Who This Is For

This program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in urban and regional planning, geography, environmental studies, natural resource management, civil engineering, architecture, and related fields. It’s also valuable for professionals in government, nonprofit, and consulting sectors seeking applied GIS and spatial analysis skills. Students from any discipline seeking a focused credential to complement their training will benefit from this program.

 

Competencies You will Gain

Students will master spatial data acquisition, file organization, coordinate system definition, attribute joins, and spatial queries; engage with participatory GIS concepts and design community-centered approaches; synthesize and communicate spatial analysis results through maps, presentations, and written components.

• Micro-credential completers will be able to:

• Produce thematic maps applying cartographic principles and create planning-oriented maps and web-based visualizations

• Prepare and manage spatial data for GIS analysis using core GIS operations

• Conduct spatial analyses to examine community and environmental planning questions

• Critically evaluate and design participatory GIS approaches for community and environmental planning contexts

• Communicate spatial findings to technical and non-technical audiences to support decision-making

 

Stackability

Credits earned apply toward degree programs in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography and Environment, Environmental Studies, Architecture, and related interdisciplinary programs with departmental approval. Students may petition to apply this micro-credential toward the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate, subject to Geography Department approval. PLAN 473 can count as the approved non-Geography course for the GIS Certificate. Completion of  a micro-credential does not guarantee acceptance into a degree program.

 

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