Geographic Information Systems (GIS) : Emily Griffith Technical College

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

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. 

Your program culminates in a GIS internship at a Denver-based company or organization, giving you the real-world experience to enter this high-demand field ready to work from day one.

Internship: Complete a 90-hour internship in a setting such as Community Food Share, Denver Water, the State of Colorado, Aurora Water, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, GIS consulting firms and more.

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 (GIS) 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
$4,797
Approximate cost. Additional material and book fees may apply
Part Time Program
10 Months
Program length


No upcoming starts available.

Apply to Emily Griffith Technical College

Course Information

Required Courses

Course Code Course Title Credits
BUS 226 Business Statistics 3
CIS 155 Complete Spreadsheets: Excel 3
COM 101 Employment Strategies 1
CSC 119 Introduction to Programming 3
GIS 101 Introduction to GIS 3
GIS 110 Introduction to Cartography for GIS 3
GIS 140 Vector Based GIS 3
GIS 205 GIS Applications 3
GIS 210 Intermediate GIS 3
GIS 211 Spatial Modeling & Analysis 4
GIS 212 GIS Remote Sensing 4
GIS 235 INT Remote Sensing/Image Analysis 4
GIS 240 Raster Based GIS 3
GIS 289 Capstone 2
MAT 135 Introduction to Statistics: MA1 3
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 155 Complete Spreadsheets: Excel

Introduces basic to advanced features of spreadsheet software to design and create accurate, professional worksheets for use in business and industry. The course includes entering data, creating formulas, professional formatting, creating charts, creating, sorting and filtering tables, creating and using templates, applying built-in functions, creating pivot tables, applying “what-if analysis” with data tables, creating macros, and using solver features.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
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 101 Introduction to GIS

Surveys the development, application and use of geographic information systems (GIS).

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: 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 210 Intermediate GIS

Builds on the spatial analysis principles and concepts of GIS 101. Students work with advanced analytical tools and develop skills in spatial problem solving

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 212 GIS Remote Sensing

Introduce concepts and procedures used in remote sensing with an emphasis on integration of aerial and satellite imagery into GIS applications. Apply the science of remote sensing and imagery interpretation to understand local to global earth observation characteristics based on remotely sensed data and logical interpretation.

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.
MAT 135 Introduction to Statistics: MA1

Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category.

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


Helen won a Teacher's Award from the Language Learning Center and also the Best Presentation award for EGTC's Chef's Award Recipient for her empanadas and strudel.

Helen Lee was born in China and grew up in Vietnam before moving to the United States. She came to Emily Griffith after the medical supply company she worked for here in Denver moved to Mexico. 

With the help of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, she was able to take English classes at Emily Griffith, and improve her English skills. But Helen didn’t stop there! She made a plan to pursue technical training so she could get a job of her choosing, and enrolled in the Culinary Arts program, and the Professional Baking program soon after that. 

In March, Helen completed her Culinary Arts training and she is now just a month away from finishing the Professional Baking training, too. She loves the freedom and creativity that baking brings, and enjoys working in the bakery department at Village Inn, where she started in January, because they respect her and appreciate her skills. 

Helen says she is determined to complete everything she puts her mind to, and even though learning can be hard, she will never give up! One day, Helen hopes to work in a place where she can teach others what she knows.

Helen won a Teacher’s Award from the Language Learning Center and also the Best Presentation award for EGTC’s Chef’s Award Recipient for her empanadas and strudel. Congratulations Helen! 

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