Certificate Policies
Prospective students should become familiar with UA Graduate College application procedures. Candidates should meet Graduate College admission requirements and applicants shall have no less than a 4-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
Unless excused by an official Leave of Absence (which may not exceed one year throughout the student’s degree program), all graduate students are subject to the Continuous Enrollment Policy and must pay in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees in order to remain in the program. If the student fails to obtain a Leave of Absence or maintain continuous enrollment, he or she will be required to apply for re-admission, to pay the Graduate College application fee, and pay all overdue tuition and fees, including cumulative late penalties. Tuition or registration waivers can not be applied retroactively. Please see the UA Continuous Enrollment policy.
Students are required to take seventeen (17) units of course work, consisting of eight (8) units of core curriculum and guided practicum, and nine (9) units of elective credit. All courses in this curriculum are taught at the University of Arizona, none are offered through distance learning.
Time to completion shall not exceed four (4) years. The clock begins with the date of the earliest course work used for the certificate.
If transfer work is allowed, course work taken more than two (2) years prior to admission to the certificate program may not be transferred. The clock begins with the date of the earliest course work used for the certificate, including transfer work.
Currently enrolled graduate students may apply up to twelve (12) units toward both the certificate and their graduate degree.
A maximum of six (6) units earned as a non-degree seeking student may be applied toward a certificate.
A maximum of six (6) units of course work from a previously completed graduate degree may be applied towards the GIS Certificate provided (1) a course work advisor approves, and (2) the completion date of the units fits into the 4-year timeframe for completing the certificate.
A maximum of three (3) units of GEOG 416A course work earned as an undergraduate may be applied toward the GIS Certificate provided (1) a course work advisor approves, (2) the units earned were not used for the completion of the undergraduate degree requirements (e.g. more than 120 units were earned for the undergraduate degree), (3) the student completes the extra work required for GEOG 516A, and (4) the completion date of the units fits into the 4-year timeframe for completing the certificate.
A Certificate Plan of Study (.doc) should be filed with the Graduate College in the second semester of study.
Degree seeking students enrolled in programs outside of the School of Natural Resources and the Environment and the School of Geography and Development, must apply to a second graduate program through Graduate Admissions and pay the registration fee. Students pursuing a degree within the School of Natural Resources and the Environment or the School of Geography and Development will instead submit a Change of Program form.
Certificate seeking students (those enrolling only in the GIS Certificate Program) must apply to and be admitted to the Graduate College at the University of Arizona. Certificates are considered to be official programs of study, application forms are available on the Certificate Programs page. Note: do not apply as a non-degree seeking student for a certificate program.
International students must demonstrate proficiency in English as one of the conditions for admission to the UA Graduate College. Testing is available through the UA Testing Office.
See the Graduate College web site for more information on graduate programs.
