PhD Geographic Information Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in geographic information science prepares you to be a part of the next generation of scientists and engineers, enabling you to excel in theoretical, computational, analytical and technical knowledge in transdisciplinary geospatial sciences.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (12 credit hours) GCU 585 Geographic Research Design and Proposal Writing (3) GIS 520 GIScience Issues and Debates (3) GIS 521 Geographic Information Science Programming (3) GIS 571 Spatial Statistics for Geography and Planning (3) Electives or Research (55 credit hours) Remote Sensing (3 credit hours) Other Requirements (2 credit hours) GCU 591 or GPH 591 Seminar: Geography Colloquium (2) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) GIS 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Students select electives, remote sensing and other requirements seminar coursework in consultation with their academic advisor.

Career pathways

Professionals with expertise in geospatial information science research, theory and practice are in high demand across sectors and industries, including in institutions of higher education, consulting firms and government agencies. Career examples: computer scientist, conservation scientist, geoscientist, geospatial information scientist or technologist, geospatial intelligence analyst, remote sensing scientist or technologist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in geography, geology, earth science, computer programming, GIS, environmental science, geomatics or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts three letters of recommendation written statement professional resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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