UConn Online Remote Sensing and GIS Certificates: Cost, Courses

The University of Connecticut offers two fully online 12-credit graduate certificates in geospatial technology: a Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics certificate from the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, and a GIS certificate from the Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community and Urban Studies. Both cost $925 per credit for 2026–27 and require no GRE.

Credits from either certificate may transfer into UConn’s online M.S. in Energy and Environmental Management (MEEM), which has GIS and remote sensing concentrations. The remote sensing certificate launched in December 2020 and blends remote sensing with GIS (UConn Today).

Program at a Glance

Credentials	Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics; Graduate Certificate in GIS
Credits	12 each
Format	100% online, asynchronous
Length	About 12–18 months
Cost (2026–27)	$925 per credit; $11,100 per certificate
GRE	Not required
Starts	Fall or spring
Stacks into	Online M.S. in Energy and Environmental Management (30 credits)
Accreditation	NECHE

Remote Sensing Certificate Curriculum

The certificate requires two core courses and two electives, each 3 credits (courses).

Course	Type
NRE 5525 Remote Sensing of the Environment	Core (fall)
NRE 5535 Remote Sensing Image Processing	Core (spring)
NRE 5215 Intro to Geospatial Analysis with Remote Sensing	Elective
NRE 5545 Quantitative Remote Sensing Methods	Elective
NRE 5560 High Res Remote Sensing: Applications of UAS and LiDAR	Elective
NRE 5615 EnviroAI: Artificial Intelligence Applications in Environmental Management	Elective

Note: UConn’s MEEM course page lists NRE 5585 Python Scripting for Geospatial Analysis as an elective instead of NRE 5215, so confirm the current elective list.

GIS Certificate Curriculum

The GIS certificate requires GSCU 5500 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Science and GSCU 5510 Applications of GIS, plus two electives from Web GIS, Spatial Database Systems, Mobile GIS, GIS for Health and Environment, and Computer Applications in Spatial Analysis (Python). It can be completed fully online or blended with campus classes, and taking two courses a term finishes it in one year.

Online Master’s Option (MEEM)

The online M.S. in Energy and Environmental Management is 30 credits (27 coursework plus a 3-credit internship or practicum), asynchronous and part-time, with concentrations in GIS, Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics, Sustainable Environmental Planning and Management, and Energy and Environmental Law. MEEM lists $925 per credit for all students, about $27,750 total (MEEM tuition). Certificate credits may transfer, but master’s admission is a separate application that requires three letters of recommendation.

How the Online Format Works

Asynchronous: remote sensing courses run in weekly modules you complete on your own schedule, some with online labs (about).
Semesters: standard fall and spring semesters; full-time or part-time.
Completion: about 12 to 18 months for either certificate.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school; 3.0 GPA recommended (how to apply)
No GRE
No GIS or remote sensing background required
Personal statement, resume (remote sensing certificate) and transcripts; the GIS certificate requires no letters of recommendation
$75 application fee; deadlines July 1 (fall) and December 1 (spring) (GIS certificate)

Tuition and Fees

Program	Credits	Cost (2026–27)
Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics certificate	12	$11,100
GIS certificate	12	$11,100
M.S. in Energy and Environmental Management	30	About $27,750

UConn’s Bursar lists $925 per credit for the certificates in 2026–27, described as a comprehensive fee (program fees). Students enrolled only in a certificate are generally not eligible for federal financial aid.

Faculty and Department

The remote sensing certificate is directed by Chandi Witharana in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. UConn’s Center for Land Use Education and Research runs a Geospatial Training Program that has trained more than 3,000 people in GIS and GPS since 2007.

Careers

UConn says the remote sensing certificate serves people in government land and science agencies, military and geospatial intelligence, engineering and environmental consulting, and GIS professionals moving into remote sensing. BLS reports a May 2025 median salary of $81,390 for cartographers and photogrammetrists.

Pros and Considerations

Strengths

Rare online remote sensing certificate with drone, lidar and AI courses
Same rate for all students
Asynchronous; no GRE
Credits may transfer into an online master’s

Things to Consider

$925 per credit is higher than many public options
Elective lists differ across UConn pages
Certificate-only students generally can’t use federal aid
No online geography degree at UConn

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UConn’s remote sensing certificate fully online?

Yes. UConn calls the Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics certificate a 100% online, asynchronous program.

How much does UConn’s online GIS certificate cost?

Both the GIS and remote sensing certificates cost $925 per credit for 2026–27, or $11,100 for 12 credits.

Do I need a GIS background to apply?

No. UConn says a GIS or remote sensing background is helpful but not required, and the GRE is not required.

Can UConn certificate credits count toward a master’s?

Credits may transfer into UConn’s online M.S. in Energy and Environmental Management, which has GIS and remote sensing concentrations. Admission to the master’s is separate.

Compare UConn with other programs in our online geography and GIS degree guide, or see our remote sensing degrees guide and Connecticut geography programs.

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.