The University of Colorado Denver offers online GIS training through its Department of Civil Engineering, not its geography department. Options include a Geomatics and GIS graduate certificate, plus an M.S. and an M.Eng. in Civil Engineering with a Geomatics and GIS concentration. CU Denver says all of its GIS graduate courses are entirely online and have been for more than 20 years.
This is the most engineering-oriented option in our guide. Courses cover GIS databases, project management, remote sensing, GNSS/GPS, LiDAR and drones (unmanned aerial systems). The M.Eng. is designed for students without an engineering degree, which makes it a realistic path for geography graduates.
Program at a Glance
| Certificate | Geomatics and GIS (four core courses) |
| Degrees | M.S. or M.Eng. in Civil Engineering, Geomatics and GIS concentration |
| Degree credits | 30 |
| Format | 100% online; start in fall or spring |
| Tuition (2026–27) | $887 per credit nonresident online; $756 resident; plus $44.30 per credit college fee |
| GRE | Optional |
| Application fee | $50 ($75 international) |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission |
GIS and Geomatics Courses
All CVEN graduate courses below are 3 credits (course catalog):
| Course | Focus |
|---|---|
| CVEN 5381 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | GIS foundations (required for every path) |
| CVEN 5382 Geospatial Data Development | Data creation, photogrammetry, surveying, geodesy, coordinate systems |
| CVEN 5383 GIS Analysis | Spatial, network and 3D analysis |
| CVEN 5384 GIS Project Management | Data governance, Agile and Scrum |
| CVEN 5385 GIS Relational Database Systems | SQL and database-GIS integration |
| CVEN 5386 GIS Laboratory | Field data with ArcGIS Online, Survey123 and Field Maps |
| CVEN 5387 Advanced Remote Sensing | Imagery analysis |
| CVEN 5388 GIS for Transportation Infrastructure | GIS-T |
| CVEN 5390 Interactive Web Mapping GIS | Open-source web mapping |
| CVEN 5391 Introduction to Geomatics | Surveying and positioning foundations |
| CVEN 5392 / 5397 Unmanned Aerial Systems and UAS Data Processing | Drone mapping |
| CVEN 5395 GPS/GNSS | Satellite positioning |
| CVEN 5396 HDS/LiDAR Tools and Data Analyses | Laser scanning and point clouds |
Certificate
The certificate requires four core courses, CVEN 5381, 5382, 5384 and 5385, each with a B- or better. Students can earn it as non-degree students without being admitted to a master’s program. CU Denver does not state a total credit count for the certificate, so confirm whether electives are required.
M.S. and M.Eng.
- M.S.: 30 credits. CVEN 5381, 12 credits of GIS electives, 12 to 15 credits of graduate electives, and either a 6-credit thesis or a 3-credit master’s report.
- M.Eng.: 30 credits. CVEN 5381, 12 credits of GIS electives, 12 credits of graduate electives and a 3-credit master’s report.
- Graduate electives can include approved geography and planning courses.
Who Can Apply
- M.S.: intended for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering or a similar field
- M.Eng.: intended for students with a non-engineering undergraduate degree
- GIS prerequisites for both: two college science courses and two college math courses (C- or better); some can be completed after admission
- Official transcripts, statement of purpose, resume and two recommendation letters
- GRE optional (preferred 300+ if submitted); no minimum GPA is published
- Deadlines: April 15 for fall and November 1 for spring (domestic)
Source: College of Engineering, Design and Computing graduate admissions.
Tuition
| Rate (2026–27) | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Resident | $756 |
| Nonresident, online | $887 |
| Nonresident, on campus | $1,660 |
| College instructional fee | $44.30 |
Based on CU Denver’s 2026–27 graduate tuition, a 30-credit master’s comes to about $24,000 for Colorado residents and $27,900 for online nonresidents, including the college fee but before per-term student fees. These totals are our calculation; CU Denver’s online page lists $22,680 to $26,610 in tuition only.
Department and Faculty
The Geomatics and GIS area covers surveying, geodesy, cartography, GNSS/GPS, photogrammetry, remote sensing, high-definition surveying and GIS databases. Adjunct instructors include industry leaders from drone, satellite imagery and geospatial software companies, and the program lists Trimble scanning and positioning software among its tools. CU Denver’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences separately offers an 18-credit GIS certificate and an M.A. in Applied Geography and Geospatial Science that mixes in-person, hybrid and online courses.
Careers
CU Denver lists geospatial data analyst, urban planner, civil engineer and construction manager for its online civil engineering master’s. The geomatics focus also maps to surveying, drone mapping, LiDAR and infrastructure GIS roles.
Pros and Considerations
Strengths
- GIS courses have been online for more than 20 years
- Unusual depth in geomatics: GNSS, LiDAR, drones and surveying
- M.Eng. path open to non-engineers
- Online nonresidents pay well below the campus nonresident rate
Things to Consider
- Engineering degree, not a geography degree
- Certificate credit total is not published
- Fall and spring starts only
- Per-term fees add to the listed tuition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CU Denver’s GIS program online?
Yes. CU Denver says all of its GIS graduate courses are entirely online, and its online M.S. and M.Eng. in Civil Engineering are listed as 100% online.
Do I need an engineering degree for CU Denver’s online GIS master’s?
Not for the M.Eng., which is designed for students with non-engineering degrees. The M.S. is intended for students with an engineering or similar background.
How much does CU Denver’s online geomatics master’s cost?
For 2026–27, online nonresidents pay $887 per credit and residents $756, plus a $44.30 per credit college fee, or roughly $24,000 to $27,900 for 30 credits.
Can I take the GIS certificate without applying to a master’s?
Yes. CU Denver says the certificate can be earned as a non-degree student.
Compare CU Denver with other programs in our online geography and GIS degree guide, or see campus programs in Colorado.
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.
- Geomatics and GIS certificate
- Catalog: GIS and Geomatics certificate
- Geomatics and GIS research area
- Online M.S. in Civil Engineering
- Online M.Eng. in Civil Engineering
- Catalog: M.S. Civil Engineering
- Catalog: M.Eng. Civil Engineering
- Department: M.S.
- Department: M.Eng.
- CVEN courses
- Graduate admissions
- 2026–27 graduate tuition
- Geography and Environmental Sciences GIS certificate
- Accreditation