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Online M.S. in Spatial Informatics

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100% Online

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30 Credits

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$608/cr.

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Rolling Admissions

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No GRE/GMAT Required

About the Program

UMaine is ranked #50 in Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

The online M.S. in Spatial Informatics teaches you to utilize location information, geographic information systems, sensors, and mobile technologies to accomplish day-to-day tasks. By providing a foundation in geographic information science, the program creates a path for those from diverse academic backgrounds to transition to an information systems career.

Students will explore topics such as:

  • Cognitive science
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Spatio-temporal phenomena
  • Intelligent spatial information systems design
  • And more

Contact Us

Have questions about earning your M.S. in Spatial Informatics online with UMaine? Contact a UMaineOnline advisor.

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Kimberly Lai, M.A.

UMaineOnline Advisor

661.544.8675
kimberly.lai@maine.edu

Schedule a Meeting

Student Experiences

This program has exceeded my expectations in terms of knowledge gained and the caliber of courses and teachers.
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Shanna H.
I’ve…been able to capitalize on these fresh approaches to the material to make immediate improvements at my job.
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Toby S.

Curriculum

Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with the Steering Committee to develop a program of study that reflects your personal and professional goals.

For new students starting Fall 2024 or after, the following courses are required (15 credits):

  • SIE 505: Formal Foundations for Information Science (3 credits) Fall
    OR SIE 580: Ontology Engineering Theory and Practice(3 credits) Every other Spring
  • SIE 507: Information Systems Programming (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 509: Principles of Geographic Information Systems (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 510: Geographic Information Systems Applications (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 550: Design of Information Systems (3 credits)
  • SIE 557: Database System Applications (3 credits) Spring

For current students who started before Fall 2024, the following courses are required (15 credits):

  • SIE 505: Formal Foundations for Information Science (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 507: Information Systems Programming (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 515: Human-Computer Interaction (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 525: Information Systems Law (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 550: Design of Information Systems (3 credits) Fall

Choose five courses from the following (15 credits):

  • SIE 508: Object-Oriented Programming (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 516: Interactive Technologies for Solving Real-World Problems (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 517: Spatial Interaction Design (3 credits)
  • SIE 554: Spatial Reasoning (3 credits) 
  • SIE 555: Spatial Database Systems (3 credits) Fall (even years)
  • SIE 558: Real-Time Sensor Data Streams (3 credits) Fall (uneven years)
  • SIE 559: Geosensor Networks (3 credits) Fall (uneven years)
  • SIE 590: Information Systems Internship (3-6 credits) Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • SIE 693: Graduate Seminar (1 credit)

Admissions

We have rolling admissions, so you can apply and be accepted into the program anytime. However, the following priority deadlines are recommended:

  • Fall Semester: August 1
  • Spring Semester: January 1

Applications will still be reviewed after these dates, but acceptance may be deferred for the next semester.

Those applying for campus-wide research assistantships or scholarships should complete their application packets by January 1 for Fall admission.

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    A GPA below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered case-by-case.
  • College-level algebra
  • Programming courses or experience
    Recommended but not required.

We have rolling admissions, meaning you can apply and be accepted anytime. The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. Before you apply, please review the application instructions. When you’re ready to apply, please submit the following:

  • An online application
  • Current résumé or CV with the contact information for three professional or academic references
  • Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended
  • An essay of less than two pages describing your motivation for pursuing an M.S. in Spatial Informatics
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Careers

Graduates are self-employed and employed in various spatial information management and system development positions throughout business and government. Jobs are numerous, varied, and well-paid. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for the spatial informatics field was $76,210 in May 2023. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 1,000 new jobs expected yearly. 

Notable Companies Employing Alumni

  • Artisan Global, LLC
  • Bentley Motors Limited
  • Esri
  • Gallup International
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
  • Intuit
  • iPointer, Inc.
  • Microsoft
  • Miramap B.V.
  • Netcetera
  • Promag Systems, Inc.
  • Starbucks
  • Verisk Analytics
  • ViacomCBS
  • Willauer Consulting
  • WilmerHall