Case Study: Elmhurst College

GIS Certificate Program Elmhurst College Department of Geography and Geosciences

The Elmhurst College GIS program consists of coursework leading to a Professional Certificate in GIS. It is designed for several types of students:

1. Those who are currently using GIS as a tool in their occupation and wish to further their education for the purpose of attaining a Professional GIS Certificate and applying coursework towards a national certification (GISP) from GISCI.
2. For educators at all levels who will be instructing in the use of GIS applications.
3. Those new to GIS, perhaps making a career change, who want to learn more about how GIS can be used in many areas of application For those who have experience with GIS and have used ESRI software, the Program consists of four courses and can be completed in 32 weeks of instruction.

It includes two information systems (IS) courses and covers principles such as model building, working with ArcObjects, and python programming. Designed for working professionals, all courses are taken online and completed asynchronously. Software is provided, including ArcGIS Desktop 9.x and all extensions. Courses qualify as electives in future degree programs at Elmhurst College. Instructors are ESRI-certified GIS professionals.

For those who have not had experience with GIS or have not used ESRI software previously, the program consists of those courses listed above as well as a course entitled: "GIS 100 Fundamentals of GIS", offered in a hybrid format in the summer. It includes basic principles of GIS techniques and queries, remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), and GIS in society. Software is provided, including ArcGIS Desktop 9.x and all extensions. Courses qualify as electives in future degree programs at Elmhurst College. Instructors are GIS professionals and educators.

Many students in the GIS Certificate Program work together, which provides a highly supportive and collaborative adult learning environment. All students register for the ESRI Virtual Campus and are assigned approximately two modules per week over both 15-week semesters in the Fall and Spring Terms.

The following courses use ESRI Virtual Campus courses as part of the curriculum:

• GIS 200 Advanced Remote Sensing Techniques
• GIS 300 Capstone: GIS Applications
• ISG 100 Programming with ArcObjects
• ISG 200 Implementing Geodatabases
• GIS 100 Fundamentals of GIS

Students in the traditional Geography and Geosciences Program at Elmhurst College who take the following courses also use Virtual Campus courses:

• GEO 207 Introduction to GIS
• GEO 308 Remote Sensing
• GEO 309 Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis

For more information on the Elmhurst College GIS Certificate Program, contact:

Dr. Rich Schultz
Coordinator, GIS Certificate Program
Elmhurst College
190 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126-3296
Phone: (630) 617-3128
richs@elmhurst.edu