University of Kentucky Online Digital Mapping Certificate (New Maps Plus)

The University of Kentucky’s online Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping is an 11-credit program in web mapping and cartographic design, run by the Department of Geography under the New Maps Plus name. All courses are online and asynchronous, the GRE is not required, and no prior GIS or mapping experience is needed.

This is a different kind of GIS program. Instead of centering on Esri desktop software, it teaches students to build interactive web maps with open tools such as QGIS, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Leaflet and Mapbox. UK’s online M.S. in Digital Mapping is paused, so the certificate is the only Digital Mapping credential currently admitting students.

Program at a Glance

Credential	Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping
Credits	11 (three courses)
Format	Fully online, asynchronous, 8-week courses
Start terms	Spring 2027 (apply by December 11, 2026) and Fall 2027
Tuition (2026–27)	$847 per credit, all states; about $9,317 total
GRE	Not required
M.S. in Digital Mapping	Admissions paused
Accreditation	SACSCOC

Curriculum

Course	Credits	What you learn
MAP 671 Introduction to New Mapping	3	Social and technical foundations of digital mapping: file types, data classification, projections, coordinate systems and analysis, on desktop and web platforms
MAP 672 Programming for Web Mapping	4	Web development and programming through web mapping: map structure, style and behavior, basemaps, thematic data and interaction
MAP 673 Design for Interactive Web Mapping	4	Combining cartographic design and web programming to build interactive maps for visual storytelling

UK lists desktop GIS, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, D3, Leaflet, Carto and Mapbox among the program’s tools, and student projects also use GitHub, Python and Mapbox GL JS. UK expects roughly 10 to 12 hours of work per week for a 3-credit course.

The Paused M.S. in Digital Mapping

The 30-credit M.S. added courses in spatial data analysis, collaborative geovisualization, critical cartography and a two-part final project. The New Maps Plus site says admissions are temporarily paused, and UK Online’s program list shows only the certificate. UK says certificate credits can count toward the M.S. if it reopens, so the certificate is not a dead end.

How the Online Format Works

Asynchronous: no set class times. Students work to syllabus deadlines on their own schedule.
8-week courses: shorter than a standard 16-week semester.
Open-source focus: most tools are free or web-based, so students do not need an Esri license.
Financial aid: federal aid is not available for certificate-only enrollment.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completed before enrollment
2.5 undergraduate GPA and 3.0 on any graduate work (per UK Online)
No GRE and no prior GIS or mapping experience
Transcripts, plus TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants
$65 application fee ($75 international)

Apply through the UK Graduate School portal. Sources: New Maps Plus apply page and UK Online program page.

Tuition

UK’s 2026–27 program-specific tuition table sets the online professional certificate rate at $847 per credit, mandatory fees included, for Kentucky residents and nonresidents alike. Eleven credits come to about $9,317. For comparison, the on-campus rate is $882.50 per credit for residents and $2,150 for nonresidents. UK says all fully online students pay the online rate no matter where they live.

Faculty and Department

UK’s Department of Geography dates to 1944. Its research clusters include Digital Geographies, Critical GIS and Mapping, and it runs the Gyula Pauer Center for Cartography and GIS. New Maps Plus launched its certificate in 2015 and reports more than 115 certificates awarded. A program student won first prize in the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) Dynamic Map competition.

Careers

New Maps Plus points graduates toward geovisualization design, data science, local government GIS and data journalism. UK Online adds that the certificate suits professionals in geography, urban planning, environmental science, transportation, natural resource management and public health.

Pros and Considerations

Strengths

Rare focus on web mapping and interactive cartography
Fully asynchronous, 8-week courses
Same rate for all states, about $9,300 total
No GRE or mapping experience required

Things to Consider

Only three courses; no online degree currently admitting
Little Esri desktop training, which many GIS analyst jobs list
No federal financial aid for the certificate
Two start terms a year

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Kentucky digital mapping certificate online?

Yes. All courses are online and asynchronous, in 8-week terms.

How much does UK’s online digital mapping certificate cost?

For 2026–27, $847 per credit for all students, or about $9,317 for 11 credits, with mandatory fees included.

Is UK’s online M.S. in Digital Mapping available?

Not currently. New Maps Plus says M.S. admissions are paused. Certificate credits can count toward the M.S. if it reopens.

Do I need GIS experience for New Maps Plus?

No. UK says no prior GIS or mapping experience is necessary.

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

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.