Program Description and Goals
The Master of Science program in Spatial Information & Data Science (SIDS) will foster innovative scientists and researchers capable of advancing the frontiers of knowledge in spatial science and technology through cutting-edge theories and technologies, pioneering methodologies, sophisticated numerical analyses, and integrative applications. “Spatial data science can be viewed as a subset of generic ‘data science’ that focuses on the special characteristics of spatial data, i.e., the importance of ‘where’”. (Luc Anselin, 2019, “Spatial Data Science” in The International Encyclopedia of Geography: People, the Earth, Environment, and Technology). Spatial data scientists thus analyze the location, distance, and spatial interactions of data, and they examine why things happen where they happen. They often use geographic information system (GIS) technologies and other geospatial tools, but modern spatial science extends beyond GIS and includes the use of other data science technologies and integrative applications (https://carto.com/blog/postgis-day-future-gis/). Master’s students in the SIDS program will have the option to design their program of study and choose courses, seminars, and research topics from a wide range of options based on their specific areas of interest.
Accreditation
For specific information on program accreditation, refer to the Accreditations and Compliance section.
Method of Delivery
In-person; Gainesville
Time to Completion
30 hours
Admission Procedures
Regular Admission
Requirements
To qualify for regular admission to the M.S. in Spatial Information and Data Science program, an individual must meet all program admission requirements and hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale), calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures, and meet all other admissions requirements. The GRE is not required; however, submission of GRE test scores may be helpful for those students seeking research or teaching assistantships or other departmental support. Meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Final admission is a competitive process that takes all aspects of a student’s record into account.
Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.
Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.
- Non-refundable application fee of $40.
- Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
- Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
- Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.
Recommended Supplemental Documents
Preference will be given to applicants who provide the following optional application items:
- Two letters of recommendation from professional references who are familiar with your work, e.g. current or past supervisors or managers. Family and friends of applicants are not permissible recommenders. If possible, at least one of the recommendations should be from a current direct supervisor.
- Professional resume that includes a detailed description of the applicant’s work experience, and shows a minimum of two years of professional work experience.
- A statement of purpose of up to 500 words discussing your short-term and long-term career goals, reason for seeking this degree, and anything else you’d like for us to know.
Provisional Admission
Requirements
To qualify for provisional admission, an individual must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale), calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures, and meet all other program admission requirements. The GRE is not required; however, submission of GRE test scores may be helpful for those students seeking research or teaching assistantships or other departmental support. Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit while enrolled with this status. The number of semester hours in which a provisional student may enroll will be determined in consultation with the M.S. SIDS program coordinator. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade of “C” or lower in any course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the program. A student who has been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply after a period of three semesters from the date the student was removed by submitting to Graduate Admissions a letter of appeal addressed to the M.S. SIDS program coordinator and a new application for readmission.
Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.
Non-Degree Admission
Description
An applicant interested in taking graduate courses in Spatial Data and Information Science (SDIS), but not interested in pursuing a graduate degree, may apply as a non-degree graduate student. All non-degree student applicants require departmental approval prior to acceptance. Please contact the Department of Environmental & Spatial Analysis for assistance prior to applying.
Requirements
- Hold an earned baccalaureate from a from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog)
Recommended Supplemental Documents
Preference will be given to applicants who provide the following optional application items:
- Two letters of recommendation from professional references who are familiar with your work, e.g. current or past supervisors or managers. Family and friends of applicants are not permissible recommenders. If possible, at least one of the recommendations should be from a current direct supervisor.
- Professional resume that includes a detailed description of the applicant’s work experience, and shows a minimum of two years of professional work experience.
- A statement of purpose of up to 500 words discussing your short-term and long-term career goals, reason for seeking this degree, and anything else you’d like for us to know.
Non-degree seeking students
- May register for no more than nine semester hours of graduate credit.
- Will not be allowed to continue in the graduate level counseling courses if a grade of C or lower in any graduate course is earned.
- May apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.
- Are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Transient Student Admission
Description
A student currently enrolled at an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student. All non-degree student applicants require departmental approval prior to acceptance.
Please contact the Department of Environmental & Spatial Analysis for assistance prior to applying.
- Permission to take courses does not indicate or imply subsequent admission into the program.
- Students must receive pre-approval from the department head before enrolling in courses.
- Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.
- Admission is for one semester only.
- Students who wish to return as a transient student for a subsequent semester must reapply through Graduate Admissions.
- Students may be required to submit an official transcript from the home institution in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
Requirements
- Hold an earned baccalaureate from a from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog)
Recommended Supplemental Documents
Preference will be given to applicants who provide the following optional application items:
- Two letters of recommendation from professional references who are familiar with your work, e.g. current or past supervisors or managers. Family and friends of applicants are not permissible recommenders. If possible, at least one of the recommendations should be from a current direct supervisor.
- Professional resume that includes a detailed description of the applicant’s work experience, and shows a minimum of two years of professional work experience.
- A statement of purpose of up to 500 words discussing your short-term and long-term career goals, reason for seeking this degree, and anything else you’d like for us to know.
Appeal of Graduate Admission
An applicant whose admission is denied may appeal the decision, regardless of the basis for denial. To submit an appeal, email a signed letter of appeal as a PDF attachment to the Office of Graduate Admissions at grads@ung.edu.
Your letter must present substantial evidence supporting the basis of your appeal. The information provided should go beyond what was previously submitted in your application and clearly demonstrate your potential for success in graduate-level study.
Graduate programs at the University of North Georgia grant appeals for provisional admission status only. If admitted under provisional status, your academic record will be reviewed post enrollment to determine eligibility for regular status. Timelines and requirements vary by program. While enrolled provisionally, you may register only for the maximum number of credit hours permitted for provisional students in your program and must maintain the GPA required by your program each term to continue enrollment. Students admitted under provisional status are not eligible for federal financial aid. Additional program-specific restrictions can be applied.
If your appeal is approved, the Graduate Admissions Office will notify you of your admission status.
Academic and Professional Integrity
Code of Conduct
The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.
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