GIS Certification:
How will it be used
to improve education?
Deidre Sullivan
OSTO Workshop
November 11, 2008
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What is GIS?
Geographic Information Systems
 It
is a science, a tool, and a software
 It assists in the collection, analysis, and
interpretation of spatial data
 GIS is starting to be replaced by the use of
Geospatial Technologies which includes
GIS, GPS, Remote Sensing
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Geospatial Technology is transforming how
we think… and how we do business
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What does a GIS professional
look like?
GIS
Scientist:
GIS Analyst:
Designs and manages projects
GIS Technician:
works under the direction of a GIS Analyst
Ancillary GIS Duties:
Police and Fire Depts., Non Profits, Institutional Research
City Planning, Resource Management, Marketing/Business
Increasing Skill Level
writes algorithms
General Public:
GPS in cars, Mapquest, Google Earth, Zillow.com, general spatial literacy
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So what do you need to know to be
a GIS professional????
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Unique characteristics of GIS &
GIS education







It is a relatively new field.
It is a rapidly expanding field.
The technologies are evolving very rapidly.
It is a science and a skill.
It is taught by academics and occupational
faculty.
Many colleges have “jumped on board” and
developed degree and certificate programs
fairly quickly.
It embodies the future of our workforce.
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What are Core Competencies?

They define the knowledge and skills required to
carry out specific tasks that are common to a
particular profession or occupation.

They are critical links between the workplace
and the classroom, since they connect job
requirements to educational subject areas.
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Benefits to establishing Core
Competencies

Help employers better understand and
evaluate the education of potential employees

Provide benchmarks for program accreditation

Facilitate articulation agreements

Facilitate the sharing of curriculum

Develop exam-based professional certification

Facilitate the placement of students in jobs
and internships
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How does the GIS world look at the
Core Competency issue?
 Universities

UCGIS Body of Knowledge (2006)
 Community

DACUMs (1998 – 2008)
 U.S.

Colleges
Department of Labor
Geospatial Technologies Competency Model (NASA)
 Professional
GIS Certification???
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Professional GIS Certification
GIS Certification Institute (GISCI)

In 1999, the Urban and Regional Information Systems
Association (URISA) organization formed a committee to
explore GIS certification

This led to the creation of the GIS Certification Institute
(GISCI) in 2004, an independent institute supported by
professional organizations [501 (c)(6)].
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•
•
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Association of American Geographers (AAG)
The National State Geographic Information Council (NSGIC),
University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS)
URISA

As of 11/5/08, 2,688 people certified [o n 7/25/07 = 1,664]

It is portfolio-based and there is no exam (YET)

Application fee is $250, must be recertified every 5 years

Certification is recognized by: North Carolina, Oregon, National
Association of Counties
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What will the future of GIS
education look like?

Will we have nationally accepted GIS core
competencies?

Will GIS/geospatial literacy be part of our general
education?

Will there be DOL occupational titles for GIS?

Will GIS certificate and degree programs be aligned
with professional certification knowledge and skill
requirements?

Will GIS courses easily articulate among institutions?

Will we all know what we should be teaching?
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The true potential of Professional
Certification will not be realized unless it is
able to link higher education and workforce
needs to professional organizations.
Workforce needs, DOL occupational titles and labor market information
Higher education:
Associates, Bachelors,
Graduate, Certificates
Professional
Certification
Professional Societies,
Certifying Organizations
[Don’t develop certification criteria without a broad-based group of stakeholders]
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Are we teaching the right things?
1.
Are our students employable?
2.
Do faculty know what they should be teaching?
3.
Can our students transfer easily among institutions?
4.
Do the students know what they know and know
what they don’t?
5.
Can credit/acknowledgement be given for prior work
experience?
6.
Does the system allow for multiple entry and exit
points?
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No matter how great of a
teacher we are…
We need to work together
to accomplish these goals!
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