Bachelor's Degree (BA, BS) in Mapping and GIScience

Bachelor's Degree in Mapping and GIScience

Who is this program for?

This program is ideal for students who enjoy technology, data, geography, problem-solving, and exploring how the world works through maps and spatial analysis. It is a strong fit for students interested in careers in environmental science, urban planning, geospatial technology, business analytics, public health, or emerging fields like remote sensing and GeoAI.

Program Overview

Turn data into insight with a degree in Mapping and GIScience. This innovative STEM program prepares students to explore how people, places, and environments are connected through digital mapping, spatial analysis, and geospatial technology. Using industry-standard GIS software, remote sensing tools, and emerging technologies like GeoAI, students learn how to collect, analyze, visualize, and communicate spatial data that helps solve real-world problems.

Students in the Mapping and GIScience program gain hands-on experience working with geographic information systems (GIS), digital mapping, and spatial data analysis while exploring the social, political, and ethical impacts of geospatial technology. Whether you are interested in environmental sustainability, public health, business intelligence, urban planning, or technology-driven careers, this program provides the technical and analytical skills employers are actively seeking across a wide range of industries.

As one of the only undergraduate programs of its kind in the region, the program offers students a unique opportunity to build career-ready skills in a rapidly growing field with strong workforce demand throughout Kentucky and beyond.

Related Careers

Graduates of the Mapping and GIScience program may pursue careers such as:

GIS Analyst
Geospatial Data Analyst
Cartographer
Remote Sensing Analyst
Urban and Regional Planning Technician
Environmental Analyst
Spatial Data Scientist
Surveying and Mapping Technician
Geographer
Conservation and Natural Resources Specialist
Public Health Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Transportation Planner
GIS Developer
GeoAI Specialist
Emergency Management Analyst

Offered by the College of Arts and Sciences

Credit Hours

120

Credential

BA, BS

Learn about Tuition and Fees

Admission Requirements

Official High School Transcript with Pre-College Curriculum: View transcript requirements on the Undergraduate Admission webpage.
Test Scores (optional): ACT or SAT scores can be submitted but are not required for university admission.

Any "Program Specific Requirements" that display below are specific to the program and will be required for admission to the program.

Application Requirements

Completed applications include an official high school transcript, application fee ($50 domestic/$60 international) and optional official ACT/SAT score (the University of Kentucky is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year).

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What You'll Learn

Through the Mapping and GIScience program, students will develop technical, analytical, and communication skills used by professionals across industries that rely on geospatial data and digital mapping technologies. You will learn how to:

Use industry-standard GIS software and geospatial technologies
Analyze, interpret, and visualize spatial data
Create digital maps and interactive geospatial visualizations
Apply remote sensing and emerging GeoAI technologies
Understand the ethical, political, and social implications of geospatial technologies
Collect, prepare, and manage geospatial datasets
Communicate findings and document geospatial analysis processes
Solve real-world challenges using spatial thinking and data-driven decision making

Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.

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Complete the form to get the latest updates on this program, including special events and application deadlines.

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