Certificate Programs in Geosciences
The Department of Geosciences at Fort Hays State University offers specialized department certificates which can be obtained on campus or on line.
- on-campus (GIS User & Museum Studies)
- FHSU Online (GIS User)
Students do not have to major in Geosciences to pursue a certificate. These certificates and related courses can add value to your current degree program and can enhance or develop additional skills to support your career goals.
The Department of Geosciences also is part of 2 cooperative certificates.
- Certificate in Crime Mapping and Analysis - A cooperative dual certificate with Criminal Justice Programs
- Sustainability Certificate - Geosciences hosts this interdisciplinary certificate aimed a providing a foundation in sustainability theory.
Please review the requirements and certificate request process carefully.
GIS User Certificate (9 Credit Hours)
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) User Certificate program allows students to develop technical skills in analyzing geographic patterns and relationships. Many professions use GIS to gain valuable insights into spatial questions that other information systems do not offer.
This 9-credit-hour certificate program offers the opportunity for engaged students to develop a solid understanding of the fundamental principles and analytical techniques of GIS. The skills gained in the courses included in this certificate program can be applied to any major and are an effective way of adding value to a degree. Successfully completing this certificate program can increase employment potential as there is an increasing need among local, state, and federal agencies for individuals with skills in GIS.
Required Courses
- GSCI 240 Introduction to GIS (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 360 Intermediate GIS (3 Credit Hours)
Electives (choose one)
- GSCI 290 Cartography (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 330 Remote Sensing Concepts (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 620 Advanced Cartography (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 625 Advanced GIS (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 655 GIS Programming (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 674 Remote Sensing and Aerial Photography (3 Credit Hours)
To complete the GIS certificate, the student must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 on any three FHSU courses in GIS, cartography, and/or remote sensing as identified above. This must include the two required GIS courses. For each course to count toward the certificate, the student must earn a grade of C or better.
Note: To qualify for the certificate, students MUST successfully complete at least three identified certificate eligible courses at FHSU, totally at minimum 9 credit hours. If student transfers credit into FHSU for required course(s) additional electives can be taken to meet the minimum requirement.
Museum Studies Certificate (12 Credit Hours)
A museum is defined by the federal government as: a public or private nonprofit agency or institution organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes, which, utilizing a professional staff, owns or utilizes tangible objects, cares for them, and exhibits them to the public on a regular basis. Museums include: zoos, aquaria, botanical centers, and specialized museums in addition to art, history, natural history, children's, science, and technology museums. The professional staff required at museums may include: directors, curators, educators, gift-shop staff, security, public relations, marketing, accountants, exhibit designers, volunteer coordinators, collections managers, conservators, animal/plant care specialists, fundraisers, grant writers, human resources, and food services. Approximately 20% of museums worldwide have more than 100 employees while over 20% have fewer than 10 employees. This means many museums are looking for people with specific skills while many others are in desperate need for leaders who have experience with collections, exhibits, education, public relations, and fundraising. Nearly all museums are looking for employees that know how museums function and have either multiple skill sets or have one strong skill with an understanding of the functions of multiple areas.
This 12-credit-hour certificate program offers the opportunity for students to develop skills that are valuable to museum administrators.
- GSCI Museum Management (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI Museum Collections Management (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI Museum Exhibit Planning & Design (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI Museum Public Education (3 Credit Hours)
Request a Certificate - GIS User or Museum Studies
Certificates can be issued by request to individuals upon successful completion of courses and requirements. All individuals meeting certificate requirements will need to register on-line for a printed certificate. Course and project completion will be confirmed before certificate is printed. Certificate requests will be reviewed for approval twice each semester, approved certificates will be printed after the close of the semester in which the last relevant course is taken or in which the certificate was requested. Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.
Please complete all areas of the form, including the semester and year you successfully completed all courses, before submitting.
DUAL & INTERDISCIPLINARY DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATES
Criminal Justice & Geosciences
Certificate in Crime Mapping and Analysis (12-15 credit hours)
The certificate in Crime Mapping and Analysis is designed to familiarize the criminal justice practitioner or future practitioner with crime analysis and geographic information systems. A familiarization of these systems will lead to a better understanding of crime mapping and the impact that it has for keeping communities safe. The certificate combines practical and theoretical bases of knowledge towards this end. Students are ideally pursuing a major or minor in either Criminal Justice and/or Geosciences.
Courses required to earn the Certificate in Crime Mapping & Analysis include:
- GSCI 240 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credit hours)
- GSCI 360 Intermediate Geographic Information Systems (3 credit hours)
- CRJ 355 Criminal Investigation (3 credit hours)
- CRJ 395 Crime Analysis (3 credit hours)
No grade lower than a "C" is acceptable for the classes taken to complete the certificate. This certificate cannot be earned as a stand-alone program and the courses may have prerequisites.
To obtain an official certificate for the Certificate in Crime Mapping & Analysis, fill out the Intent to Complete a Certificate in Crime Mapping & Analysis form, and return to:
Criminal Justice Programs
233 Rarick Hall, 600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601
If you have met all the requirements, you should receive your certificate in the mail, approximately 3 – 4 weeks from the date of approval.