Overview
The Advanced Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is designed for a person who needs to add some GIS knowledge to their existing skill set, but not be a major component of their job. After completion of the Advanced Certificate, there is an opportunity for the person to take either the Advanced Diploma or the Bachelor of Technology in GIS.
GIS in a digital world
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become pervasive across all industries and institutions. If you have used Google Maps to find the route from your home to a restaurant, for example, you have used a very simple form of GIS.
A GIS is a combination of mapping software, digital maps, and databases and the processes of combining maps with databases to produce models, maps, and tables for decision-making.
The target student audience for the proposed Advanced Certificate in GIS is:
- Professionals in other fields (e.g. forestry, emergency planning, engineering, or marketing), both public and private sector, who can make use of GIS skills in their current jobs or to advance their careers.
- Traditional students and international students who wish to acquire specialized training to meet current or future job requirements in GIS.
- Educators, local government officials, etc., with an undergraduate degree in any area who wish to acquire basic technical expertise in GIS.
The program
This program consists of seven courses: two foundation courses, four application level courses, and a capstone course. In the foundation courses, you will learn the theory, concepts, and related disciplines of GIS together with introductory hands-on experience using ArcGIS software. In the application level courses, you will get further experience using ArcGIS software, developing spatial databases, working with big data, and analyzing satellite and other aerial imagery. In the capstone course, you will undertake a project using your background (e.g. engineering) to guide the topic.
Please visit our Courses page for more information on this program’s courses.
Missed an info session?
If you’ve missed a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) information session, the full video is now available. Note: This information session was held May 21, 2020 and topics discussed in this session are subject to change without notice.
Fraser River Plumes and the Vancouver Area, Sentinel 2 False colour composite banner image from BCIT GIS Alumni working at Planetary Remote Sensing.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
This program is open to applications beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Geographic information systems (GIS) is a multidisciplinary field and has applications in a wide variety of professions and industries. The GIS Department welcomes applicants from most academic areas.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements to be accepted.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Post-secondary: one of the following from a recognized institution:
- Diploma (minimum 60.0 credits)
- Associate degree
- Bachelor's degree
- A minimum of 60.0 credits of courses from one or more recognized post-secondary institutions including:
- 3.0 credits in BCIT Communications courses or equivalent and
- 18.0 credits at the second-year or higher level
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Recommended for success
Interested in the GIS program?
Attend an Info Session, talk to faculty and students, and do an honest self-assessment of whether you are ready to enrol and capable of succeeding.Ready to apply?
You will significantly improve your chances of success if you come well prepared. Read the following recommendations and spend some time in assessment and preparation.
- Fundamental computer literacy and some computer programming/scripting skills are strongly recommended.
- Refresh your skills in basic algebra, trigonometry, and analytical geometry (e.g. polar and rectangular coordinates, equation of a straight line, and distance between two points). You will find this helpful in a number of courses.
- It is recommended that students possess good communication, teamwork, and technical problem-solving skills.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Books & supplies
New books and supplies for the program are estimated at $900 (general estimated cost, and subject to change).
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GIST 7100 | Fundamentals of GIS | 3.0 | |
| GIST 7128 | ArcGIS 1: Introduction | 3.0 | |
| GIST 7160 | GIS Databases & Big Data | 3.0 | |
| GIST 8118 | GIS Remote Sensing | 3.0 | |
| GIST 8128 | ArcGIS 2: Data Management and Analysis | 3.0 | |
| GIST 8140 | Mapping & Cartography | 3.0 | |
| GIST 8150 | Capstone Project | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 24.0 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Program length
The maximum time to complete the program is 4 years.
Grading
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on both the assignment and the exam component of each course in order to pass.
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Program location
Courses are offered through online learning.Graduating & Jobs
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
GIS Online
The BCIT GIS Bachelor of Technology degree (B.Tech) or Advanced Diploma Program (ADP) can be completed entirely via online learning. The BCIT GIS Advanced Certificate is only offered via online learning.
Apply to the BCIT GIS AdvCert, GIS ADP or GIS B.Tech program as a Flexible Learning student. You can apply anytime. You are a Flexible Learning student as you will not attend BCIT campus, and you will take at least two years to complete all the online AdvCert or ADP courses, or the online technical courses component of the B.Tech. Note: you can only complete these courses in one year if you are a full-time BCIT campus student.
Contact Carmen Heaver to set up your online course schedule after you have submitted your application.
Register for each of your required courses following your course schedule. You may register for introductory-level courses before your application is approved. You will be permitted to register into advanced courses with approval from our program assistant, who will check that you are accepted into the program and have completed any prerequisite courses.
Tuition fees are per course. You may be able to reduce the cost by applying for transfer credit if you have already completed a course at another post-secondary institution that has equivalent learning outcomes to a BCIT GIS program course and if that course was not used as part of your GIS AdvCert, ADP or GIS B.Tech. application credit requirements. You might also have an income from a part-time job while studying and may also receive some tuition support from an employer. Note that tuition fees usually increase each year by approximately 2%.
Access You’ll use BCIT’s online learning platform, to listen to lectures, connect to the BCIT computer servers, use GIS software, complete GIS software assignments just as you would in a BCIT campus computer lab, discuss questions with other class members, connect with your instructor in virtual office hours when the instructor can help with problems and demonstrate software or access your computer to help you. Lab assignments are completed through accessing an on-demand web application so you can use a MAC, Windows or UNIX operating system machine.
You probably want to study online because you do not live near the BCIT Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada campus and do not want to relocate, or you have a job and want to study part-time. You like to have flexible study hours.
Please check our Frequently Asked Questions [PDF] for more information.
Any additional questions about completing the GIS program online, please contact Carmen Heaver or call 604-432-8378.
Contact Us
Please contact Program Advising if you have questions about:
- Application process
- Entrance requirements
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Program costs
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
program_advising@bcit.ca | 604-434-1610
TBA
Program Assistant
Tel: 604-451-7001
Email: gis@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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