Eastern launches geospatial technology certificate for in-demand GIS careers
Willimantic, CT (06/22/2026) — Eastern Connecticut State University will offer a new undergraduate certificate program this fall 2026 semester in geospatial technology. Designed to complement a bachelor's degree or serve as a standalone credential for working professionals, the new certificate program provides students with career-focused skills in the expanding field of geographic information systems (GIS).
The 14-credit certificate features hands-on, project-based coursework in spatial analysis, mapping, and remote sensing. Students will develop portfolio-ready projects and gain experience using technologies relevant to fields such as environmental science, urban planning, transportation, emergency management, public health, and business analytics.
Eastern's geospatial technology certificate is open to current Eastern students, working professionals, and community members seeking skills in a rapidly growing technology field. The program prepares students to use GIS, spatial data, and mapping technologies to solve real-world problems across a variety of industries.
"Geospatial skills are increasingly valuable because nearly every sector - environmental consulting, resource and conservation management, sustainable energy, public health, business analytics - relies on location-based data for decision-making," said Bryan Oakley, professor and chair of environmental earth science. "Students who can analyze and communicate spatial information are well-positioned for a workforce that is becoming more data-driven and interdisciplinary."
Oakley added that the certificate offers students highly marketable technical skills that complement a wide range of academic majors and career interests.
"What excites me most is that this certificate gives students hands-on, career-ready skills while complementing a wide range of majors, as well as nontraditional students and professionals already working in the field," he said. "It creates a clear pathway for students to apply geospatial technology to real-world problems and graduate with a highly marketable, practical skill set."
- Website: https://www.easternct.edu/environmental-earth-science/programs-of-study/undergraduate-certificate-geospatial-technology.html
- Contact Meredith Metcalf (metcalfm@easternct.edu) or Bryan Oakley (oakleyb@easternct.edu) for more information.
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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Eastern Connecticut State University
Michael Rouleau, (860) 465-0172, rouleaum@easternct.edu; communications@easternct.eduShare this Story
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