Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi offers a B.S. in Geospatial Science that students can complete fully online or on campus. The 120–123 credit degree combines GIS with land surveying, GPS and GNSS positioning, photogrammetry, drone mapping and lidar.
What sets TAMUCC apart is the surveying side. The department says the program is accredited by ABET’s Applied Science Accreditation Commission and that graduates can pursue Texas surveyor licensure, starting with the Surveyor in Training (SIT) exam. Most online geography and GIS bachelor’s degrees in our guide do not lead toward a surveying license.
Program at a Glance
| Degree | B.S. in Geospatial Science |
| Credits | 120–123 |
| Format | 100% online or on campus |
| Department | Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science |
| Program accreditation | ABET Applied Science Accreditation Commission (per TAMUCC) |
| Licensure path | Surveyor in Training (SIT), then Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) in Texas |
| Tuition (2026–27) | About $175 per credit in-state, $632 out-of-state, plus fees |
| Terms | 16-week semesters; fall, spring and summer |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Curriculum
The 2026–27 catalog lists 42 university core credits, 7–8 foundation credits, 65 program credits and 6 designated elective credits. Students need a 2.25 GPA in program courses.
GIS and Mapping
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GISC 1470 Geospatial Systems I | 4 |
| GISC 2301 Geospatial Systems II | 3 |
| GISC 4335 Geospatial Systems III | 3 |
| GISC 2338 Web Map Development | 3 |
| GISC 3421 Visualization for GIS | 4 |
| GISC 1336 Digital Drafting and Design | 3 |
Surveying, Geodesy and Positioning
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GISC 2470 Geospatial Plane Measurement I | 4 |
| GISC 3412 Geospatial Plane Measurement II | 4 |
| GISC 3325 Geodetic Science | 3 |
| GISC 4340 Geospatial Computations and Adjustment | 3 |
| GISC 4315 Satellite Positioning | 3 |
| GISC 4318 Cadastral Systems | 3 |
| GISC 4305 Legal Aspects of Spatial Information | 3 |
| GISC 4350 Boundary Surveying and Professional Practice | 3 |
Remote Sensing, Programming and Capstone
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| GISC 4331 Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry (drone mapping, lidar) | 3 |
| GISC 3320 GIS Programming and Software Development | 3 |
| GISC 3300 Geospatial Mathematical Techniques | 3 |
| GISC 4351 Geospatial Science Project (capstone) | 3 |
| GISC 4180 Geospatial Systems Internship | 1 |
Math and science requirements include Calculus I and II, applied probability and statistics, and two semesters of physics. Electives include a one-week Field Camp and Hydrography (course descriptions).
Related Certificate
TAMUCC also offers a 33-credit Geomatics Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The school lists it as available on campus and online (program page), and it covers the surveying courses that prepare students for the Texas surveying exams.
How the Online Format Works
- Fully online option: the department says the degree is available 100% online, and the program page lists online and on-campus delivery.
- Semesters: courses follow TAMUCC’s standard 16-week academic calendar, with fall, spring and summer terms.
- Labs and fieldwork: several required surveying courses include lab hours and field measurement. TAMUCC does not explain how online students complete them, so ask the program coordinator before enrolling.
- Internship: a required 1-credit internship with an approved employer.
Admission Requirements
- Freshmen: top 50% of high school class with required coursework; top 25% guaranteed admission; tests optional (catalog).
- Transfer students: 2.0 cumulative GPA with 24 or more transferable credits.
- Residency: at least 30 upper-division credits, including 12 in the major, must be taken at TAMUCC (degree requirements).
Tuition and Fees
| Item | Texas Resident | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per credit (statutory + designated) | $174.78 | $631.84 |
| Tuition and fees, 15 credits per semester | $5,636.54 | $13,125.22 |
| Estimated 120 credits (8 semesters at 15 credits) | About $45,100 | About $105,000 |
Figures come from TAMUCC’s 2026–27 College of Engineering and Computer Science charts (resident, non-resident). The semester totals include campus fees, and TAMUCC does not say whether online-only students pay all of them. Online courses add a distance education fee of $50 to $100 per course; TAMUCC’s fees page lists $75 to $100. TAMUCC has no reduced e-tuition rate for out-of-state online students.
Faculty and Department
The program is run by the Department of Computer Science, with four professorial faculty and several adjuncts who are licensed surveyors (roster). It works closely with the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, a coastal and Gulf research institute founded in 1987 that supports geospatial and surveying education. TAMUCC reports that 91 alumni have become Texas Registered Professional Land Surveyors (alumni page).
Careers
TAMUCC lists land surveying, GIS development, hydrographic surveying, geomatics, remote sensing analysis, cartography and urban planning as career paths. Licensed surveyors need a state license; BLS reports a May 2025 median salary of $75,440 for surveyors and $81,390 for cartographers and photogrammetrists.
Pros and Considerations
Strengths
- Rare online bachelor’s that combines GIS with surveying
- ABET-accredited according to TAMUCC
- Path toward Texas surveyor licensure
- Low in-state tuition
Things to Consider
- Out-of-state tuition is much higher, with no online e-rate
- How online students complete surveying labs is not explained
- Math- and physics-heavy curriculum (calculus and physics required)
- Delivery format (live vs. self-paced) is not stated
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TAMUCC’s geospatial science degree fully online?
Yes. TAMUCC says the B.S. in Geospatial Science is available 100% online as well as on campus.
Is the program ABET-accredited?
TAMUCC states that the program is accredited by ABET’s Applied Science Accreditation Commission. You can confirm current status on ABET’s website.
Can I become a licensed surveyor with this degree?
TAMUCC says graduates are eligible to pursue the Surveyor in Training (SIT) exam and Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) licensure in Texas. Licensing rules vary by state.
How much does TAMUCC’s online geospatial degree cost?
For 2026–27, tuition is about $175 per credit for Texas residents and $632 for non-residents, plus fees. A full degree costs roughly $45,000 in-state or $105,000 out-of-state.
Compare TAMUCC with other programs in our online geography and GIS degree guide, or see our geospatial technology degrees guide and Texas 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.
- TAMUCC B.S. Geospatial Science (catalog)
- TAMUCC Geospatial Science department page
- TAMUCC Geospatial Science program page
- GISC course descriptions
- TAMUCC accreditation
- Undergraduate admissions (catalog)
- Undergraduate degree requirements (catalog)
- 2026–27 resident tuition chart
- 2026–27 non-resident tuition chart
- Miscellaneous fees
- Cost of attendance
- 2026–27 academic calendar
- Geospatial Science faculty roster
- Conrad Blucher Institute
- Geospatial Science alumni
- Geomatics Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (catalog)
- Geomatics certificate program page