Geographic Information Systems : Emily Griffith Technical College

Geographic Information Systems

We have full-time and part-time start dates throughout the year! Give us a call at 720-423-4700 to find out when our next available start date is.

Helping businesses make decisions. Analyzing data to help experts understand natural disasters. Studying water usage. These are examples of issues you might address as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professional.

What is GIS? GIS is a powerful technology platform that allows people to ask and answer complex questions. Using data interpreted through the lens of place, GIS empowers us to come to new conclusions because of what it reveals.

At Emily Griffith, our evening program will give you hands-on experience building online GIS applications, designing maps and gathering data using the same software that’s used in industry. Plus, you will learn the GIS programming language (Python), gain familiarity with statistics and develop strong problem-solving skills. 

Latest technology: Gain experience with emerging GIS technologies from Esri, the world’s market leader in GIS applications.

Convenient classes: Take classes two nights a week and complete career-relevant projects at home.

Job-search class: Get a jump on your GIS career in an Employment Strategies class designed to prep you for a successful job hunt.

High-demand career: Enjoy a 100 percent job placement rate in the GIS field with your Emily Griffith GIS certificate.

Want more information? Get the Geographic Information Systems Program Flyer, the Geographic Information Systems Program Checklist.

What Can I Do with an Emily Griffith Geographic Information Systems Certificate?

Graduates from Emily Griffith’s GIS program use their certificate to up their technology game at their current jobs or to work in jobs such as the following:

  • GIS technician, QC Data
  • Geospatial analyst, Jeppesen
  • GIS analyst, Frontier GeoTek Inc.
  • OSP graphics lead and quality control, Black and Veatch
  • Airborne sensor operator, Merrick and Company
  • Lead engineering technician, Ulteig Engineers

Other potential career paths include jobs in environmental science/agriculture, asset management, natural disaster/emergency response, land use/urban planning, transportation, utilities, engineering and construction, defense and military applications.

How Emily Powered My Career

“Starting this program was an important step in my dream to be immersed in a dynamic and exciting tech field.” Christopher Spaght, GIS technician at QC Data, completed his GIS certificate at Emily Griffith in 2018.

Information Technology & Computer Science
$4,649
Approximate cost. Additional material and book fees may apply
Part Time Program
11 Months
Program length
1/10/2022
Next Start Date
Apply to Emily Griffith Technical College

Course Information

Required Courses

Course Code Course Title Credits
BUS 226 Business Statistics 3
CIS 240 Database Design and Development 3
COM 101 Employment Strategies 1
CSC 119 Introduction to Programming 3
GIS 110 Introduction to Cartography for GIS 3
GIS 140 Vector Based GIS 3
GIS 235 INT Remote Sensing/Image Analysis 4
GIS 240 Raster Based GIS 3
GIS 205 GIS Applications 3
GIS 211 Spatial Modeling & Analysis 4
GIS 289 Capstone 2
BUS 226 Business Statistics

Focuses on statistical study, sampling, organizing and visualizing data, descriptive statistics, probability, binomial distributions, normal distributions, confidence intervals, linear regression, and correlation.

Start Date: 05/12/2022
Instructor: Jackie Phipps
BUS 226 Business Statistics

Focuses on statistical study, sampling, organizing and visualizing data, descriptive statistics, probability, binomial distributions, normal distributions, confidence intervals, linear regression, and correlation.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
CIS 240 Database Design and Development

Introduces the basic concepts of relational databases, data storage, and retrieval. Covers database design, data modeling, transaction processing, and introduces the Structured Query Language for databases.

Start Date: 06/13/2022
Instructor: Jackie Phipps
COM 101 Employment Strategies

Offers students the development of skills that are needed to search for a job.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
CSC 119 Introduction to Programming

Focuses on a general introduction to computer programming. This course emphasizes the design and implementation of structured and logically correct programs with good documentation. It is centered on basic programming concepts, including control structures, modularization, and data processing. A structured programming language is used to implement program designs. It emphasizes the writing of multiple programs following the software development process, from start to finish, including design, implementation, and testing.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
CSC 119 Introduction to Programming

Focuses on a general introduction to computer programming. This course emphasizes the design and implementation of structured and logically correct programs with good documentation. It is centered on basic programming concepts, including control structures, modularization, and data processing. A structured programming language is used to implement program designs. It emphasizes the writing of multiple programs following the software development process, from start to finish, including design, implementation, and testing.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 110 Introduction to Cartography for GIS

Examines a broad range of map types, emphasizing maps as a communication system with both symbology and specific organizational hierarchies. Discussion and demonstration focuses on essential cartographic principles and practices used for designing maps, with emphasis on cartographic principles resulting in the effective map communication, qualitative messages, and quantitative information.

Start Date: 01/10/2022
Instructor: Jackie Phipps
GIS 140 Vector Based GIS

Focuses on vector-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts utilizing critical thinking and technology literacy. This accelerated introductory GIS course provides a solid technical and conceptual base for a future career in the geospatial sciences.

Start Date: 02/07/2022
Instructor: Jackie Phipps
GIS 235 INT Remote Sensing/Image Analysis

Introduces concepts and procedures of the science of remote sensing. The course applies the methods of image analysis using computer-based processing and computer assisted image interpretation. The results are applied to a wide spectrum of conditions and processes affecting the Earth’s surface and human infrastructure. The course integrates the results of image analysis with other data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide this new information to users in industry, government, and the scientific research community.

Start Date: 04/07/2022
Instructor: Jackie Phipps
GIS 240 Raster Based GIS

Focuses on raster-based, advanced vector-based, and other geospatial data type concepts, processes, and analysis. This advanced GIS course transitions from step-by-step lab instructions to independent objective-based analysis utilizing a combination of prepared lab materials, developing industry standard workflows, documentation, and metadata.

Start Date: 03/07/2022
Instructor: Jackie Phipps
GIS 110 Introduction to Cartography for GIS

Examines a broad range of map types, emphasizing maps as a communication system with both symbology and specific organizational hierarchies. Discussion and demonstration focuses on essential cartographic principles and practices used for designing maps, with emphasis on cartographic principles resulting in the effective map communication, qualitative messages, and quantitative information.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 140 Vector Based GIS

Focuses on vector-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts utilizing critical thinking and technology literacy. This accelerated introductory GIS course provides a solid technical and conceptual base for a future career in the geospatial sciences.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 205 GIS Applications

Develops student competency in web based geospatial information technologies. This course introduces students to concepts and processes of software based geospatial services to deliver geospatial information over networks. The course provides a comprehensive discussion of theory and applied technology of GIS software information services as well as integration of geospatial services into GIS applications.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 211 Spatial Modeling & Analysis

Examine techniques for modeling and analyzing spatial data in a GIS. Topics include defining object models and geodatabases as they are used to access geographic data and build data models, creating new information from existing data through data classification, geoprocessing, presentation, and display and using raster analysis to display and analyze spatial data.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 235 INT Remote Sensing/Image Analysis

Introduces concepts and procedures of the science of remote sensing. The course applies the methods of image analysis using computer-based processing and computer assisted image interpretation. The results are applied to a wide spectrum of conditions and processes affecting the Earth’s surface and human infrastructure. The course integrates the results of image analysis with other data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide this new information to users in industry, government, and the scientific research community.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 240 Raster Based GIS

Focuses on raster-based, advanced vector-based, and other geospatial data type concepts, processes, and analysis. This advanced GIS course transitions from step-by-step lab instructions to independent objective-based analysis utilizing a combination of prepared lab materials, developing industry standard workflows, documentation, and metadata.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
GIS 289 Capstone

Provides a demonstrated culmination of learning within a given program of study.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
EMILY’S STORIES


“The first time I walked into class, I was like this is where I’m supposed to be."

Jessica Blackburn’s parents always encouraged her to find a skilled trade. “I always loved learning about the human body and how things work so part of me has always thought about being a nurse,” says Jessica. 

But training to be a nurse can be expensive. So she decided to come take her CNA classes at Emily Griffith. 

“The first time I walked into class, I was like this is where I’m supposed to be,” says Jessica. “The atmosphere is super friendly; I loved being in Mrs. Law’s class.” 

She was impressed by how much the class prepared her for her boards. “I was absolutely more confident in my skills than others taking the boards that day,” she says. 

She finished the program in October and began working as a home health aide. And more recently she got a job as a CNA in the telemetry unit at SCL Health Lutheran Medical Center, where she will be assisting with monitoring vital signs.  

She would definitely recommend the Emily Griffith CNA program to others. “It prepares you for the real world,” says Jessica. “It’s a welcoming place and they really want you to succeed.” 

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