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High School Geographic Information Systems Certificate

View Student Pathway    Register Through KickStart


Start Your GIS Journey

Earn college credit while exploring geographic information systems, remote sensing, mapping, spatial analysis, and real-world geospatial applications. The High School GIS Certificate is a nine-credit program offered through the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Lindenwood University, Saint Louis University, and Harris-Stowe State University. Students complete three college courses and build a foundation for future study and careers in geospatial technology.

Students work together at desktop computers in a classroom lab, with one student smiling while talking to a classmate.

 

Certificate at a Glance

3
College Courses
9
Transcripted Credits
4
University Partners
3
Minimum Semesters
1
Typical course 
per semester

 

Required Course Pathway

Students earn the High School GIS Certificate by completing two required foundation courses and one additional course option. UMSL GIS 1000 must be completed before a student advances to the SLU or HSSU course.

Required Courses (6 Credits)

University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL)

GIS 1000: Exploring Geospatial Thinking and Technology
(3 credits)

Foundational principles of geospatial analysis, geographic coordinate systems, and mapping tools.

Lindenwood University

GEO 20400: Remote Sensing
(3 credits)

Analytical methods of satellite imagery, temporal land monitoring, and GIS integration.

Select One Additional Course (3 Credits)

Option 1: Saint Louis University (SLU)

GIS 2010: Introduction to Location Science

Foundational concepts of spatial data, Earth coordinate structures, and vector mapping software.

Option 2: Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU)

GEOG 0401: Geographic Information Systems

Practical applications of spreadsheet data, database mapping, and geospatial visualization software.




College and Career Pathways

Turn your interest in GIS into opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. This certificate serves as a stackable credential that can support future study while developing practical GIS skills used across a wide range of careers and industries.

Career Paths in GIS

  • Agriculture and natural resources
  • Infrastructure and utilities
  • Public health, data science and artificial intelligence
  • Transportation and logistics
  • National security and defense
  • Emergency management
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Urban and regional planning
Team of analysts collaborating in a modern operations center, reviewing large map displays and printed charts at a workstation.

 

Pathway by Starting Grade

Starting in 10th Grade

Begin with UMSL GIS 1000. Complete Lindenwood Remote Sensing after becoming eligible as a junior or senior, then complete the SLU or HSSU option after UMSL.

Starting in 11th Grade

Begin with UMSL GIS 1000 or Lindenwood Remote Sensing. Complete the other required course, then finish with the SLU or HSSU option after UMSL.

Starting in 12th Grade

Three courses are required. Completion before graduation may require taking two courses in one semester, depending on eligibility, scheduling, availability, and university approval. Completion is not guaranteed. 

Eligibility Summary

Requirements to enroll in each course, by university.

UMSL GIS 1000

Open to high school students in grades 10 through 12. No prior GIS coursework is required.

Lindenwood GEO 20400

Open to juniors and seniors. Students generally need a 3.0 GPA. A student below a 3.0 GPA may be considered with a counselor or teacher recommendation. 

SLU or HSSU Additional Option

Students must complete UMSL GIS 1000 first. Any additional university-specific eligibility or enrollment requirements also apply.

 


Registration

Registration for the UMSL GIS course will be open through KickStart from January 1 through January 15, 2027. Students must complete registration by January 15 to receive UMSL college credit.

Late Enrollment

The course begins January 19. Students may join after instruction begins, but January 15 is the final enrollment deadline so students do not fall too far behind.

Permission and Payment Note

A parent or legal guardian must provide permission through KickStart . Students and families should review the course cost and payment deadline before registering.

Dual Enrollment - GIS Track

READY TO ENROLL?

Complete your student application before the January 15 deadline.

Register Through KickStart


 

What Happens After Registration

 

1

Submit the KickStart application and obtain parent or legal guardian approval.

2

UMSL processes the application and sends the registration information to the appropriate university offices

3

After processing, the student receives a UMSL SSO and instructions for accessing MyGateway and Canvas. Account creation may take approximately one week.

4

Course materials, announcements, assignments, and online meeting information will appear in Canvas when the course is available.

 

Program Contacts and Leadership

Questions about the certificate, student pathways, registration, fees, or course options should begin with the High School GIS Certificate Coordinator. The coordinator will connect students and families with ACP, the UMSL Geospatial Collaborative, or a university partner when specialized assistance is needed.

Primary Student and Family Contact

Bradley Griggs
High School GIS Certificate Coordinator
mgvd8@umsl.edu
314-516-5055

Academic and Program Leadership

Dr. Reda Amer
Director, UMSL Geospatial Collaborative
reda.amer@umsl.edu
314-516-4838

Essential FAQ

It is a nine-credit certificate completed through three college courses offered by UMSL, Lindenwood University, Saint Louis University, and Harris-Stowe State University.

Students may begin with UMSL GIS 1000 or Lindenwood Remote Sensing when eligible. UMSL GIS 1000 must be completed before the SLU or HSSU course. 

Students are required to take UMSL GIS 1000, Lindenwood GEI 20400 and either the SLU or HSSU course. 

Most students complete one course per semester, so the certificate normally takes at least three semesters.

Yes. Students in 10th grade may begin with UMSL GIS 1000.
Possibly, but completion may require two courses in one semester and depends on eligibility, scheduling, course availability, and university approval. Completion before graduation is not guaranteed.
Use the Register Through KickStart button and complete all required steps, including parent or legal guardian approval, by the published deadline.
After the registration is processed, students receive a UMSL SSO and instructions for MyGateway and Canvas. Processing and account creation may take approximately one week.
Students from schools without an existing program relationship, including homeschool students, should contact the High School GIS Certificate Coordinator for guidance on available participation and registration options.

Contact

Bradley Griggs, High School GIS Certificate Coordinator, at mgvd8@umsl.edu or 314-516-5055.