Cartography & Geographic Information Systems: Accelerated/Non-Thesis MS
Master of Science in Cartography & Geographic Information Systems
Is this program right for you?
Enjoy storied Science Hall and network in-person while strengthening your competence in GIS applications and developing your cartographic design portfolio. With our strong focus on skill-building, you’ll earn your Accelerated/Non-Thesis Master of Science in Cartography & GIS in as little as one year—no need to spend an extra year on research and thesis writing.
- Complete this in-person program in as little as one year, integrating everything you learn in a project-based practicum capstone course
- Choose the electives that make the most sense for your personal career goals, focusing on cartography, spatial analysis, geodatabase management, and more
- Our highly interactive program includes options to complete hands-on group and community engagement projects, as well as ample networking opportunities
Education that works for you
Study at the birthplace of American cartography. The UW–Madison Non-thesis Master of Science in Cartography and GIS is an immersive program that can be completed in as little as one year.
Program type
Master’s degree
Degree awarded
Master of Science in Cartography & Geographic Information Systems
Commitment
3 semesters
Tuition
$900 per credit
Format
Accelerated
Face-to-face
Credits
30- 32 graduate credits
Admission terms
Program admits for Fall and Spring terms.
Offered by
STEM opt eligible
Yes
International eligibility
Yes
Application deadlines
Fall 2025
- Deadline: June 1, 2025
- Priority deadline: April 1, 2025
- International deadline: April 1, 2025
Spring 2026
- Deadline: October 1, 2025
- Priority deadline: August 1, 2025
- International deadline: August 1, 2025
Fall 2026
- Deadline: June 1, 2026
- Priority deadline: April 1, 2026
- International deadline: April 1, 2026
Your questions, answered
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Admissions and events
Program requirements
Application materials required
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Results that work for you
Cartography & Geographic Information Systems: Accelerated/Non-Thesis MS
$62,000
Market salary in 2019. Source 1: Lightcast™ 2022 and alumni survey data. Source 2: What Can You Do with a Geographic Information Systems Degree?
Job titles
Top industries
What you’ll learn
Master the science of maps with the Cartography & Geographic Information Systems: Accelerated/Non-Thesis MS program. You’ll utilize geocomputing, spatial databases and data analytic to create impactful maps and solve geographic problems.
- Geocomputing
- Quantitative methods
- Graphic design
- Spatial databases
- GIS & spatial analysis
- Data analytics
- GIS programming
- Cartography
- Esri ArcPro
- QGIS
- Python
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