Utah System of Higher Education

New Academic Program Proposal

Cover/Signature Page—Abbreviated Template

Institution Submitting Request: Utah Valley University

Proposed ProgramTitle: Certificate of Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems

Sponsoring School, College, orDivision: College of Science and Health

Sponsoring Academic Department(s) orUnit(s):Department of Earth Science

Classification of Instructional Program Code:45.0702

Min/Max Credit Hours Required to EarnDegree: 22

Proposed BeginningTerm:Spring 2018

Institutional Board of Trustees’ Approval Date:

Program Type:

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐ / Certificate of Proficiency ☐Entry-level CTE CP xMid-level CP
Certificate of Completion
Minor
Graduate Certificate
K-12 Endorsement
☐ / New Emphasis for Regent-Approved Program
Credit Hours for NEW Emphasis Only:
Current Major CIP:
Current Program Title:
Current Program BOR Approval Date:
☐ / Out of Service Area Delivery Program

Chief Academic Officer (or Designee)Signature:

I,theChiefAcademicOfficerorDesignee,certifythatallrequiredinstitutionalapprovalshavebeenobtainedpriorto submitting this request to the Office of theCommissioner.

Name: Jeffery Olson, Senior VP Academic Affairs

Date: 2/9/17

Utah System of Higher Education

New Academic Program Proposal

Section I: TheRequest

The Department of Earth Science in the College of Science and Health at Utah Valley University requests approval to offer a Certificate of Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems effectiveSpring 2018.

Section II: Program Proposal/NeedsAssessment

ProgramDescription/Rationale

The Certificate of Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides students with a focused program of study in the fundamentals required to succeed in a wide range of careers in geospatial science. GIS includes the hardware, software, and data required to capture, store, display, and analyze geographically referenced information. Students in the certificate program learn the theory and methodology of geospatial data collection, storage and management, interpretation, and visualization through courses in cartography, remote sensing, GIS theory and applications, and geospatial field methods. In directed class projects students apply geospatial data techniques to real-world problems while gaining firsthand experience in project design and management.

Across the United States, and particularly in Utah, there is a growing demand for geospatial science skills. In response to the need for graduates with these skills, for many years the Department of Earth Science has worked to enhance the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) opportunities that UVU provides to students. Since 2004 the geography program has offered courses in GIS, and beginning in 2011 and every year since, the department has listed the need to offer a GIS certificate of proficiency in its strategic plan. The certificate was listed based on the department’s internal assessment of student demand, the labor market for graduates, and available departmental resources. In 2013, the department noted the lack of a GIS certificate as a weakness in its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis. Recent faculty hires made to fill other needs have helped provide the department with the expertise needed to support the certificate, and improvements in computing resources have given it the necessary infrastructure. The department now has substantial expertise in GIS, with at least five professors capable of teaching core upper division courses in the program. Combined with excellent computer laboratories, the department is prepared to offer a high quality GIS certificate that will help meet the growing geospatial employment needs of UVU’s service area.

The proposed certificate in GIS is designed to provide students with a program of study that gives them a strong foundation in geographic data collection, storage, analysis, and production of visualization products. The curriculum is aligned with that of other successful regional and national programs and documents that students have completed a rigorous training program in GIS. The knowledge and skills learned in the program will prepare students to enter the workforce directly upon graduation, or continue their educations in post-baccalaureate programs that desire students with strong GIS skills. The certificate is designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of programs at UVU. It includes existing courses important to other degree programs in the Department of Earth Science, and it complements the existing baccalaureate programs in Geology, Environmental Science and Management, and Geomatics. Additionally, students who pursue the proposed BS in Geography will have the option to complete the GIS certificate’s requirements as a part of their regular degree program coursework. The aim of the certificate program is to prepare the next generation of geospatial practitioners and scientists who will help guide the fast-paced regional growth and development in UVU’s service area.

Labor MarketDemand

Labor market demand for workers in GIS is strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 6-49% growth in GIS jobs between 2014 and 2024. The median annual wage for GIS specialists in Utah is approximately $45,000 to $61,500, which is about 50% higher than Utah’s median annual wage of $33,990. BLS also forecasts 50 new combined job openings per year in Utah between now and 2020. The Burning Glass 12-month report shows 110 job postings in Utah in GIS, double the BLS forecast, and outpacing graduation rates in GIS in Utah. In addition, the mean salary for the job postings was $48,660, in accord with the BLS data.

Consistency with Institutional Mission/Impact on Other USHEInstitutions

The proposed Certificate of Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is consistent with and will support the mission, roles, and goals of UVU in several ways. The curriculum will consist of high quality education preparing students professionally and academically. Hands-on, project-focused coursework will catalyze students to become lifelong learners and stewards of UVU’s interconnected global community. The certificate will provide an important and needed professional opportunity for students and employers in the service area of UVU, and will prepare them to utilize the latest technology and methods in GIS.

The demand for GIS professionals is growing regionally and UVU’s service area differs from other USHE institutions. Therefore, because only modest enrollments in the proposed GIS certificate program are anticipated, no significant impact on other USHE institutions is expected. The chairs of the GIS/geography programs at the University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Salt Lake Community College, and Southern Utah University have been contacted to inform them of the developing of this certificate in GIS, and all responses have been supportive.

Finances

An additional section of GEOG 3000 will be offered annually at a cost of $3,100 (cost of an adjunct faculty to assume the teaching of a lower division section.) The new elective courses will be offered on an as needed basis as part of a faculty member’s workload.

Section III:Curriculum

Program Curriculum:

Course Number / New Course / Course Title / Credit Hours
Required Courses
Complete the following courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 and a minimum grade of C in each course
GEOG 3100 / Cartography / 3
GEOG 3400 / Environmental Remote Sensing / 3
or SURV 2220 / Remote Sensing
GEOG 3600 / Introduction to Geographic Information Systems / 4
GEOG 3650 / Advanced Geographic Information Systems / 3
or GIS 3620 / Advanced GIS for Geomatics
GEOG 4100 / Geospatial Field Methods / 3
Required Course Credit Hour Sub Total: / 16
Elective Courses
Complete 6.0 credits from the following courses
CS 1400 / Fundamentals of Programming (3.0)
GEOG 482R / x / GIS Internship (1.0)
GEOG 489R / x / Student Research in Geography, with departmentally approved topic (1.0)
SURV 2210 / Photogrammetry (3.0)
SURV 2030 / Geodesy (3.0)
Or other courses with departmental approval
Elective Credit Hour Subtotal: / 6
Core Curriculum / 22

Program CurriculumNarrative

PLO1 - (Technical Knowledge) Prior to successful completion of the GIS certificate program, students will develop the necessary technical knowledge to successfully enter careers in geographic information systems, remote sensing, cartography, and geospatial data collection.

PLO2 - (Skill in oral and written communication) Upon successful completion of the GIS certificate program, students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills that enable them to succeed at presenting and publishing geospatial data and analyses.

PLO3 - (Problem Solving) Upon successful completion of the GIS certificate program, students will be able to utilize multiple geospatial software platforms to critically evaluate geospatial information and execute both qualitative and quantitative geospatial analyses.

PLO4 - (Knowledge of agencies, software, and regulations/guidelines) Upon successful completion of the GIS certificate program, students will have knowledge of the relevant data delivery agencies (e.g., Utah AGRC, NASA, USGS, NOAA, Utah TURN, etc.), GIS software (ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, Agisoft, Trimble, Imagine, etc.), and geospatial regulations (e.g., UAV operation, surveying requirements, metadata standards, and coordinate system operations) with sufficient depth such that they are capable to further educate themselves to maintain professional relevance in accordance with state of the science data using both open source and proprietary software, while following data standards and relevant regulations.

PLO 5- (Knowledge of professional options and responsibilities) Upon successful completion of the GIS certificate program,students will have knowledge of the professional career options available to them with this certificate and the responsibilities that those careers carry with them, so that they are successful in the eyes of their employer (s).

DegreeMap:

Fall of First Year
(Course Prefix and Number) / Course Title / Credit Hours
GEOG 3100 / Cartography / 3
GEOG 3600 / Introduction to Geographic Information Systems / 4
Elective / 3
Spring of First Year
(Course Prefix and Number) / Course Title / Credit Hours
GEOG 3400 / Environmental Remote Sensing / 3
GEOG 3650 / Advanced Geographic Information Systems / 3
GEOG 4100 / Geospatial Field Methods / 3
Elective / 3