Strengthen your employment opportunities in the expanding field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications with VIU’s Advanced GIS diploma program. Almost every field of study has a spatial component and GIS specialists have a range of career opportunities in areas such as forestry, resource management, urban and rural planning, government, banking, transportation and many more.

VIU’s GIS Diploma program prepares students to capture, map and analyze geographic data using ArcGIS by ESRI GIS software.Students can choose between an 8-month in class program which also includes a work-study practicum and a 16-month online program.

The Advanced Diploma in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Applications Program
8-Month Diploma Program – In Class

The Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications provides skills training in geographic information systems (GIS) to university and college graduates who wish to strengthen their employment opportunities in GIS applications – an area that is in high demand around the world.

During this intensive program delivered over two terms, students will learn to use GIS as a spatial informational and problem-solving tool. Content is equally divided between developing hands-on competency in GIS technology and using GIS as a tool in resolving geographic problems through assignments and project work. Students in the program will be well positioned to secure employment upon graduation.

ESRI’s ArcGIS is the main software package used in the delivery of this program. Published materials and instructional courseware packages will provide support for each course. A select number of course modules, available through ESRI’s Virtual Campus, will be incorporated into the delivery of specific courses. Use of these modules enables students and instructors to keep pace with changes in the world’s most popular GIS package – ArcGIS.

All in-class students are required to complete a nine-week GIS project in the second term of the program. The project is intended to provide students with an opportunity to apply GIS knowledge and skills learned in the first term. Each student will be required to select a potential sponsor and develop a project proposal in consultation with the sponsor.

With its focus on GIS applications, the program will graduate students who are well qualified to assume employment as GIS applications professionals in any of the following fields:

Business – marketing, real estate, property development.
Education – primary, middle, secondary, colleges, universities, research institutes, libraries.
Engineering – surveying, civil.
Government – urban and regional planning, public administration, health, education, heritage.
Media – news papers, magazines, television, internet.
Natural resource management/environmental management – air, land, and water including forestry, agriculture, fisheries, mining.
Research – physical and biological, social sciences, humanities.
Security – public safety, law enforcement, immigration, national security, defense.
Transportation – planning, systems management.
Utilities – oil and gas pipelines, electrical transmission, telephony.