University of Oklahoma Online GIS Master's (Geospatial Technologies)

The University of Oklahoma in Norman offers a fully online M.S. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies, plus a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technologies. Both are run by OU’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.

This is a GIS-focused master’s, not a general geography degree. Coursework centers on GIS, remote sensing, spatial statistics, Python and R programming, and drone imagery. No GRE is required, and no prior GIS experience is needed.

Program at a Glance

Degree	M.S. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability: Geospatial Technologies
Certificate	Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technologies (12 credits)
Credits	33 non-thesis (online path); catalog also lists a 30-credit thesis option
Format	100% online; most courses asynchronous, with optional weekly online class meetings
Time to finish	21+ months per OU Online; as little as 5 semesters per the department
Start terms	Fall and spring
Tuition	$1,015 per credit, same for all states (OU Online)
GRE	Not required
Accreditation	Higher Learning Commission

Curriculum

The department’s online course plan lists 11 courses (33 credits). All are 3 credits:

Course	Focus
GIS 5013 Fundamentals of GIS	Core GIS concepts and software
GEOG 5113 Quantitative Methods in Geographic and Environmental Research	Statistics in RStudio
GIS 5003 Spatial Data Management for GIS Professionals	SQL, cloud storage, mobile data collection
GIS 5133 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing	Satellite imagery on a cloud computing platform
GIS 5253 GIS Applications	Applied GIS projects
GIS 5653 Spatial Programming and GIS	Python for geospatial work
GIS 5923 Spatial Statistics	Spatial analysis in R and ArcGIS
GIS 5453 Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis	Automating analysis in R
GIS 5233 Digital Image Processing	Drone imagery, orthorectification, structure from motion
GEOG 6953 Research and Professional Development	Resume and portfolio building
GEOG 6973 Thinking about Geography and Environmental Sustainability	Capstone with an original research paper

Other GIS electives in the course catalog include Advanced Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing Applications, Drones and Remote Sensing, Environmental Remote Sensing and Environmental Spatial Modeling. The catalog program page describes the degree as three core courses plus GIS, techniques, geography and elective blocks, so confirm your exact plan with an advisor.

Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technologies

The 12-credit certificate takes about two semesters. Students choose two fundamentals courses (GIS, remote sensing or spatial data management), one techniques course (such as spatial statistics or spatial programming), and one advanced course in either a GIS or a remote sensing track. At least two courses must carry the GIS prefix. Per the department, certificate credits can later apply to the M.S.

How the Online Format Works

Asynchronous first: OU Online says most courses are asynchronous. The department adds optional weekly online class meetings.
Course length: OU Online’s FAQ says graduate courses typically run 16 weeks, though some vary.
Workload: OU Online estimates 10 to 20 hours per week.
Software: ArcGIS Pro, PostGIS, Google Earth Engine, RStudio and Python.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school
Minimum 3.0 GPA per OU Online (the department calls GPA one factor among several)
No GRE (department FAQ)
Resume, official transcripts and three short written responses (400 words each)
Optional: reference letters, a recent paper or a GIS portfolio
$50 application fee ($100 international); $350 deposit after admission, applied to tuition

Admission is rolling, with decisions in about two weeks. Up to 12 graduate credits may transfer into the M.S. with department approval. Sources: admission page and OU Online program page.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Program	Credits	Rate	Estimated tuition
M.S. (non-thesis)	33	$1,015/credit	$33,495
Graduate certificate	12	$1,015/credit	$12,180

OU Online lists $1,015 per credit and a $33,495 total, books excluded. The rate is flat for in-state and out-of-state students and includes fees. The certificate total is our calculation. The department tuition page still shows $985 per credit, but it was last updated in 2024. Graduate tuition waivers do not apply to online programs.

Faculty and Department

Online courses are taught by department faculty, including the Director of the Center for Spatial Analysis. Faculty listed for the program work in remote sensing for global change and health, drone imagery, web GIS and spatial statistics. The department also hosts the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and organizes research around health, climate and society, and geospatial data science.

Careers

OU lists these roles for graduates: GIS analyst, GIS manager, intelligence analyst, remote sensing scientist or technologist, urban and regional planner, GIS programmer and independent consultant. The department’s professional development course helps students build a portfolio for the job search.

Pros and Considerations

Strengths

Deep GIS and remote sensing coursework, including Python, R and drone imagery
No GRE and no prior GIS experience required
Flat rate for all states, fees included
Certificate credits can stack into the master’s

Things to Consider

At about $33,500, it costs far more than flat-rate options such as Northwest Missouri State
Spring and fall starts only
Heavily technical; students wanting human or regional geography should look at broader programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OU’s online geospatial master’s fully online?

Yes. OU Online lists the M.S. as 100% online. Most courses are asynchronous, with optional weekly online meetings.

How much does the University of Oklahoma online GIS master’s cost?

OU Online lists $1,015 per credit and $33,495 for the 33-credit degree, the same for all states.

Does OU require the GRE for its online geography master’s?

No. The department says the GRE is not required.

Can I start with the certificate?

Yes. The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technologies is offered online, and the department says its credits can apply to the M.S.

Compare OU with other programs in our online geography and GIS degree guide, or see campus programs in Oklahoma.

Official Sources

We verified this profile against the following school pages in October 2026. Program details change, so confirm current requirements and costs with the school before you apply.