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Using GIS to Shape Growing Communities
The fields of urban and regional planning are expected to make complex decisions based on data and long-term sustainability. From transportation networks to land-use planning, climate resilience, and public safety, today’s challenges demand more than intuition — they require geospatial knowledge and analytical skills.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have grown increasingly important in modern practices. GIS allows planners to visualize trends, analyze spatial relationships, and evaluate policy impacts before decisions are implemented. As cities and other regions face growing pressure to balance infrastructure and environmental responsibility with growth, professionals with advanced GIS expertise are better equipped to lead in these fields.
Online MS-GIS Builds Planning Skills
The Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems (MS-GIS) at the University of Cincinnati, offered 100% online through UC Online, is designed to help working professionals build that expertise. The program emphasizes both theoretical study and hands-on application, preparing learners to apply GIS tools directly to real-world challenges.
Learners develop advanced skills in spatial analysis, geospatial modeling, analytical cartography, and remote sensing. Coursework explores how GIS can support land-use planning, transportation analysis, environmental assessment, crime mapping, hydrology, and decision-making in the public sector. Students gain expertise by working with industry-standard tools like ArcGIS and QGIS while strengthening their ability to interpret, visualize, and communicate spatial data to stakeholders.
Unlike introductory GIS programs, UC’s online MS-GIS degree focuses on advanced analytical problem-solving. Learners learn how to design and manage geospatial databases, automate workflows, and integrate GIS with other data sources to inform policy and planning decisions. The program culminates in a capstone project that allows learners to apply their skills to a professional or community-based problem — often directly connected to their current work in planning, government, or consulting.
Flexible Online Courses Advance Planning Careers
Flexibility is central to the program’s design. 100% online, the MS-GIS allows working professionals to balance graduate study with full-time employment. Courses are taught by experienced faculty with backgrounds in planning, geography, and applied geospatial research, ensuring that the instruction is both academically rigorous and practical.
Graduates of the program frequently pursue roles such as GIS analyst, GIS coordinator, urban planner, transportation planner, environmental analyst, and geospatial data specialist. In any position they choose, they gain the ability to translate complex spatial data into actionable insights — a skill that is increasingly necessary for planners navigating public engagement and evidence-based decision-making.
As planning and related fields continue to evolve in response to growing populations, climate change, and infrastructure demands, GIS remains a critical tool for shaping resilient communities. Advanced education in geospatial analysis is a tool that not only prepares graduates to respond to these challenges, but to anticipate them — turning data into more informed, impactful outcomes.
If you're ready for advanced knowledge in GIS, the University of Cincinnati is ready for you! Visit our program page to get in-touch with our team, who will assist you along the way from application to graduation. Your path lies ahead, and UC Online is here to help you on your way!
About the content Author and Sponsor: The University of Cincinnati Online
The University of Cincinnati Online delivers flexible, fully online degree programs designed for working professionals. Through industry-relevant coursework and expert faculty, UC Online helps learners advance in their careers without impacting their current work and life obligations.