Credits and Curriculum
The MS SDS degree consists of 33-36 credits, depending on the culminating experience options chosen by the student. Students may also earn one of Online Geospatial Education's certificates while working toward the degree. More detail about required credits and available courses is on the Online Geospatial Education website.
Professional Ethics Training
Penn State's Graduate School requires that every graduate student complete formal training in professional ethics during their first year of study. MGIS students may fulfill this requirement in either of two ways:
- Register for and successfully complete the 3-credit class GEOG 581: Spatial Data Science Ethics; or
- Successfully complete the non-credit Responsible Scholarship and Professional Practice workshop. "RSPP" workshops are offered three times each year, in January, August, and November. The two-week online workshop requires at least five hours of individual reading and group case study analysis and discussion. Students will not be charged any extra tuition or fees to participate in RSPP. However, students will have only one chance to complete the free workshop; those who fail to successfully complete assigned workshop activities will be required to register for and complete the three-credit GEOG 581 course.
The Advising Team will help you decide which option is best for you.