collageBritish Columbia
Beautiful British Columbia offers college GIS certificate programs from the following institutes:
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Advanced Diploma Program in GIS
- Selkirk College Advanced GIS Diploma
- Vancouver Island University (VIU) Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications
- Simon Fraser University Certificate in Spatial Information Systems
- Okanagan College Advanced GIS Certificate
1. British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Advanced Diploma Program in GIS Vancouver, British Columbia
If you are serious about learning GIS and developing your skills, then you should go to the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
People have nothing but good things to say about BCIT’s Advanced GIS Diploma program. Its intense schedule and classes help you achieve well-rounded skills. The work-based practicum boosts your CV. It’s highly regarded by employers in Canada.
If you can’t make it to class, you have the online education route. Although face-to-face program delivery can give you the necessary feedback, especially in labs and programming – online education will give you the much-needed self-discipline and motivation to complete the Advanced GIS certificate.
2. Vancouver Island University (VIU)
Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications Nanaimo, British Columbia
Learn face-to-face in Nanaimo, British Columbia in VIU’s Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications. Alternatively, online classes could be spread out for more convenience. No matter what, in the end, you earn an advanced GIS diploma.
Both options help students secure full-time employment in the field of GIS. As with the other GIS programs, training is concentrated in ArcGIS, the most popular GIS software in the world.
VIU now offers an intriguing Master’s GIS program as well.
3. Selkirk College
Advanced Diploma Program in GIS Castlegar, British Columbia
You should take a close look at what Selkirk College has to offer. They combine classroom study with coop or personally developed projects. It’s possible to extend the Advanced GIS Diploma to a Bachelor in GIS.
Their lab is modern with dedicated workstations. The Applied Geospatial Research Center is attached to the college. The pristine British Columbia Kootenays area is beautiful if you like to hike or ski.
4. Simon Fraser University
Certificate in Spatial Information Systems Burnaby, British Columbia
Get certified with a Certificate in Spatial Information Systems at Simon Fraser University.
How is SIS different from GIS? It tackles a wider array of spatial-related fields. SIS includes Geographic Information Science; spatial analysis and modeling; geo-visualization; geospatial interface research; remote sensing; and mobile networks.
Put data in a geographical context with this modern approach to spatial entity information.
5. Okanagan College
Advanced GIS Certificate Kelowna, British Columbia
The Okanagan College is located in beautiful Kelowna, BC with campuses in Penticton and Vernon. The Salmon Arm hosts the campus for GIS studies.
For the Okanagan College Advanced GIS Certificate, students have to complete not one, but two projects of their own direction. This prepares students for employment opportunities.
The Prairies
The Prairie Provinces consisting of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have the following options to obtain a diploma or certificate in GIS:
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Bachelor of Applied Technology Geographic Information Systems
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Geographic Information Technology Certificate
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic Geographic Information Science for Resource Management Certificate
- Red River College (RRC) Advanced GIS Technology Certificate – This program has been discontinued
- Assiniboine Community College (ACC) GIS Advanced Diploma
1. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Bachelor of Applied Technology Geographic Information Systems Calgary, Alberta
If you live in the southern part of Alberta or anywhere really, you should consider enrolling in their Bachelor of GIS program.
It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with Esri ArcGIS, which is the leading GIS software in the industry. The GIS program practicum is rumored to be a challenge, as it can be difficult to find one. The same goes for its intense time commitment as students need to spend vast amounts of time on campus.
GIS Data Management Certificate of Achievement claims a 100% employment rate, which is impressive. BGIS graduates will often work in teams of various sizes.
2. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Geographic Information Technology Certificate Edmonton, Alberta
The NAIT program is geared to the whole industry and practice of GIS with classes from ArcGIS to project management and industry best practices. Their Geographic Information Technology Certificate is one of a kind.
What’s unique about the NAIT GIS program is the delivery in both Geomedia and ArcGIS. The classes are unique and interesting. It has web mapping with open source GIS software and even Oracle spatial fundamentals courses.
3. University of Calgary’s Masters in GIS
Masters in GIS Calgary, Alberta
The Masters in GIS (MGIS) program at the University of Calgary that consists of 10 courses. While 5 courses are part of the core course load, the remaining will also build on GIS skills.
The Masters in GIS program covers applications, theory, spatial modeling, remote sensing, and statistics. It also consists of research projects where students get to develop skills in the topic of their choice.
University of Calgary’s Masters in GIS program is one of the best programs in Canada. Students who are looking to seriously develop their skills and become a GIS professional should consider the MGIS program.
4. Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Geographic Information Science for Resource Management Certificate Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Geographic Information Science for Resource Management Certificate is a one-year certificate program offered full-time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Prince Albert campus.
This program gives you hands-on learning and practical experience that employers are looking for from GIS graduates. The field experience is also something unique to the program. 80% of GIS grads find jobs after six months of graduation working as mapping technicians, GIS specialists, cartographers, and other titles.
5. Red River College (RRC)
Advanced GIS Technology Certificate Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Advanced GIS Technology diploma at Red River College has been discontinued
The Advanced GIS Technology diploma at Red River College is a one-year intense program. It combines a mix of remote sensing, cartography, GIS modeling, CAD, and other courses to build your knowledge in GIS.
It also connects students with potential employers through a thesis research project. This gives students a taste of how GIS is being used in the industry. However, you need a Bachelor’s Degree to get into this program as a prerequisite.
6. Assiniboine Community College (ACC)
GIS Advanced Diploma Brandon, Manitoba
Available through distance education and face-to-face, the Assiniboine College GIS Advanced Diploma is chosen by many Manitobans as a sure way to get the GIS knowledge they need.
With approximately 93% of grads finding employment in their field, the courses cover everything from image analysis to spatial statistics. It’s interesting to see a precision agriculture techniques course in the curriculum which shows how big agriculture is an industry in Manitoba.
Ontario
The largest province in terms of population, Ontario, has a plethora of options to earn a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. Here they are in no particular order:
- Ryerson Certificate in Applied Digital Geography and GIS
- Queen University Certificate in Geographic Information Science
- York University Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Remote Sensing
- Fleming College Geographic Information Systems Cartographic Specialist
- Niagara College GIS Certificate
- Algonquin College GIS Graduate Certificate
- Sault College Geographic Information Systems Applications Specialist
- University of Waterloo Diploma of Excellence in GIS
- Ontario Learns GIS Certificate (Humber College, Durham College, George Brown College, Seneca College, Centennial College, Mohawk College)
1. Ryerson University
Applied Digital Geography and GIS Toronto, Ontario
There’s nothing but positive about Ryerson’s Certificate in Applied Digital Geography and GIS. It balances conceptual and practical training with lectures and laboratory learning environments. Ryerson’s Certificate in Applied Digital Geography and GIS is well-recognized in the GIS industry. It also offers distance education as this certification is primarily designed for part-time students.
Ryerson helps you accelerate your GIS job probabilities by earning the right amount of hands-on experience. Essentially, you build the right foundation to get your foot in the door. The distance learning option is also available for students who can’t make it to campus with busy lives.
2. Queen’s University
Certificate in Geographic Information Science Kingston, Ontario
The Certificate in Geographic Information Science delivers a thorough understanding of cartography, remote sensing and GIS techniques. In addition to completing a degree, Queen’s University students can also achieve a Certificate in Geographic Information Science. All undergraduate students regardless of their degree concentration are eligible to pursue the Certificate in Geographic Sciences.
Queen’s University’s GIScience certification gives you a blueprint for a career in GIS. You build a wealth of practical knowledge and GIS uses and applications in the workplace. This program understands how GIS is becoming an affordable technology that can be integrated into nearly every corporation, governmental agency, or non-profit organization.
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