Master’s in GIS

See the “Transcript Requirement” section on The Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on University transcript requirements.

Fall 2024 – Admissions will open August 1. International applicants are encouraged to apply by May 1 to ensure sufficient time for visa processing. We will begin reviewing applications on rolling basis beginning early May. The final Deadline to apply is July 1.
Spring 2025 – Admissions are now open. Deadline to apply is October 1.

*International applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications earlier due to the extended time for visa processing

Please check back for information on dates and times for future webinars!

The Master’s in GIS is an in-person program and is not currently offered online or in the evenings. Please click here for program requirements. 

We welcome students from all over the world to join are program!  Please check out the International Admissions page to learn more about applying to FSU as an International student.

MS-GIS students are typically self-funded for all or most of the program, and no departmental funding is guaranteed. However, when resources permit, we strive to offer some form of financial support to our students. Please check this page regularly for updated information.

Unofficial Transcripts are required for your application to be reviewed. Please submit ALL unofficial transcripts from each College and/or University attended. Unofficial Transcripts must be translated to English for review. 

*Applications will show as incomplete until official transcripts have been submitted. Applications with incomplete status due to missing official transcripts will still be reviewed. 

Official transcripts are required for admitted students and must be submitted prior to beginning classes. See the “Transcript Requirement” section on The Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on University transcript requirements.

FSU now requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for Fall 2024 applicants and beyond that have degrees from a non-U.S. institution. International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES approved evaluator for transcripts from a non-U.S. institution. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions

If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and the date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.

All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. 

To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted. 

FSU has waived the GRE requirement through Fall 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is recommended to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and GRE scores of at least 144 (Quant) and 153 (Verbal). However, Applications with lower GPA and GRE scores may also be accepted to the program.

Please describe the following in 1-1.5 pages, single-spaced:

If relevant, feel free to discuss obstacles or hardships that you had to overcome in order to succeed, and how you surmounted these obstacles.

What is your motivation for applying to this program? How does this program of study advance your career interests? What is your previous experience working with GIS, remote sensing, statistics, and computer programming?

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. The letters should be from faculty and/or employers familiar with your academic, research, or professional experience.  This may include but is not limited to education, work, volunteer, and/or internship experiences.

Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. Minimum scores required for admission and additional information can be found here. Applications are unable to be reviewed and will be cancelled if the minimum requirements are not met.

SPEAK EXAM: The Geography Department requires ALL International students receiving appointments as Teaching Assistants to pass the SPEAK Exam. The Speak Exam evaluates the English-speaking ability of non-native speakers of English and is administered free of charge (First time) at Florida State University. 

Exemptions: This requirement can be waived for students who have completed a Bachelors or Master’s Degree from a U.S. Institution or other Institution where English is the required language of Instruction. Exempt students who receive a teaching assistantship will still be required to take the Speak Exam, unless the citizenship is to a Native English Speaking country. 

Employers of graduates include many private software companies, as well as state and federal institutions such as:

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Transportation
• Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Water Management Districts
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• Census Bureau
• US Geological Survey

Check out current jobs at GIS Jobs Clearinghouse, GIS Jobs, My GIS Jobs and Geography Jobs. Learn more about data science jobs at DiscoverDataScience.