GIS certification programs teach professionals how to use specialized software and demographic data to create multidimensional reports. GIS professionals can integrate mapping features and generate data related to policy and social services. A certificate from a respected agency shows expertise in the field and can help progress careers. Certificate programs are available from colleges, universities, and independent institutions. Upon completion, students become eligible for formal certification as a GIS professional.
A geographic information system (GIS) certification program trains people how to integrate specialized software with demographic data to create coherent, multidimensional reports. Professionals trained in GIS are able to integrate mapping features such as county boundaries, street names, state lines, government entities and other official designations using GIS software, which combines topographic features and mapping features. A GIS certificate from a respected agency shows that the recipient is an expert in the field. A certificate can also help a certified GIS professional to progress further in their career.
GIS certificate programs are sometimes offered at colleges and universities. Other GIS certification programs are available from independent institutions. In many cases, adult students are looking for certificate programs rather than full degree programs so that they can get the training they need without having to leave their jobs. In addition to training students in how to use the software, GIS certificate programs also include basic courses in geography and cartography. Along with these core courses and specialized software training, many GIS certificate programs offer courses in political science, sociology, and environmental studies.
As with other certificate programs, students sometimes pursue GIS training after several years of experience in a related career. For these professionals, GIS certification programs are ideal as they allow students to gain the specialized training they need without dedicating years to classroom instruction. However, admission to GIS certificate programs is often highly competitive, especially for programs affiliated with colleges and universities.
In addition to its mapping capabilities, GIS software is used to generate data related to policy and social services. GIS professionals are employed by municipalities in planning departments and other departments that mandate or provide social services, such as health departments. They use their training to study issues such as traffic patterns to determine whether traffic lights are needed in specific corners or neighborhood demographics to determine where to place new schools or hospitals.
Upon successfully completing a GIS certification program, students generally become eligible to apply for formal certification as a GIS professional. Some people train themselves to use GIS software on their own or at work. In addition to running the risk of not learning to use the software properly, trained individuals often find it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain certification.
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