Learn GIS
GIS Associate Degree
The Geographic Information System Associate of Science Degree Program is a two-year program designed to prepare students to either enter the workforce at the technician level or transfer into a bachelor's’ degree program.
GIS Associate Degree
GIS Associate Degree
Number of Units Required for Degree: 24-25 units
The GIS degree option provides the student with dynamic educational opportunities that evolve with industry trends and simultaneously provides many career exposures to many subject areas including Health, Social Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Bio and GeoSciences, public safety and design. The Geographic Information System Associate of Science Degree Program is a two-year program designed to prepare students to either enter the workforce at the technician level or transfer into a bachelor's’ degree program. To acquire the Associate of Science Degree in Geographic Information Systems, it is necessary to complete (1) the academic course (be sure to include Physical Geography and Cultural Geography) requirements of the College along with (2) the following required core course units and the courses from one of the specialization areas to equal a minimum of 24-25 units.
The goal is to prepare students for employment in various fields including civil engineering, transportation, business, sciences, public safety, public health and social sciences as a GIS technician and if continuing (or currently have) BA with the potential for more advancement to an analyst position within their respective fields.
What if you have completed all courses (or by the end of the semester)
Upon completion of required Certificate of Achievement courses, students must file an application in order to receive the certificate. Deadlines change each semester to petition for Graduation (Degree and/or Certificate of Achievement). For more information visit the Rio Hondo College Graduation Page.
GIS AS Degree Required Courses
To acquire the Associate of Science Degree in Applied Geographic Information Systems, it is necessary to (1) complete the graduation requirements of the College and (2) complete the following Courses:
- (4.0) GIS 120 Intro to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
- (4.0) GIS 220 GIS Applications
- (4.0) GIS 221 Cartography Design and Geographic Information Systems
- (4.0) GIS 280 Geospatial Programming and Web Services
- (1.0) GIS 290 Cooperative Work Experience/Internship for GIS
Total Units 21 and then select 2 courses from within one of the capstone areas below
Civil Engineering Technician specialization track
- (4.0) ENGT150 AutoCAD for Basic CADD Applications or ENGT 170 Microstation for Basic CADD Applications
- (4.0) CIV 142 Introduction to Surveying and GPS
- (4.0) GIS 130 Field Data Applications for GIS
Environmental technician specialization track
- (3.0) GIS 230 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental Technology
- (4.0) GIS 130 Field Data Applications for GIS
Data Analyst specialization track
- (4.0) GIS 281 Crime Mapping and Analysis
- (4.0) PSY 190 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Note:
Courses are not listed in any order or sequence, consult the College Catalog or Course Schedule for any prerequisite requirements.
GIS Certificate
GIS Certificate
The GIS Certificate was approved November 2013 by the State Office. The new GIS Associate Degree was approved Fall 2019. Certificates of Achievement and the AS Degree are awarded through the State of California thru Admissions and Records Office and appear on student records/transcripts.
What if you have completed all courses (or by the end of the semester)
Upon completion of required Certificate of Achievement courses, students must file an application in order to receive the certificate. Deadlines change each semester to petition for Graduation (Degree and/or Certificate of Achievement). For more information visit the Rio Hondo College Graduation Page.
Please note: The GIS Certificate is currently under review in Curriculum with changes in required courses and will be current in fall 2021. Main change is to move the CAD courses to "Select one of the below" in addition to the required courses (newly added GIS 280 Programming). The reason for change is in part that some industries do not use CAD (ENGT) such as Public Health, Public Safety. If you are in the field of planning, public works, engineering, landscape architecture then you are recommended to select either ENGT 150 or 170 for "select one of the elective courses below"
Required Courses
- GIS 120 Introduction to GIS (fall, Spring, Summer Semester) 4 units
- GIS 130 Applied GIS (added in Fall 2021)
- GIS 220 Intermediate GIS (Spring & Fall Semester) 4 units
- GIS 221 GIS Cartography (Spring & Fall Semester) 4 units
- GIS 280 Geospatial Programming & Web Services (Spring & Fall ) 4 units (added in Fall 2021)
- ENGT 150 AutoCAD for Basic CADD Applications or ENGT 170 MicroStation for Basic CADD Applications (4 units). (moving to elective in Fall 2021)
Select one of the following elective courses** below:
- GIS 281 Crime Analysis & Mapping (Fall) 4 units
- GIS 222 GIS in Public Works (new Fall 2021) 4 units
- GIS 230 GIS In Environmental Technology (Spring) 3 units
- GIS 130 Applied GIS** (Summer only)
- CIVIL 142 Introduction to Surveying and Global Positioning Systems 4 units
Environmental technician specialization track
- (3.0) GIS 230 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental Technology
- (4.0) GIS 130 Field Data Applications for GIS
* In the fall 2021, the GIS Certificate required course ENGT will be provided an alternative option GIS 280 Geospatial Programming and Web Services.
** In the Fall 2021, the GIS Certificate will be revised with additional elective course offerings including (1) GIS 130 Field Data Applications for GIS,(2) GIS 150 UAVs and Photogrammetry and (2) GIS 222 GIS in Public Works
Spring Schedule 2023
GIS Associate Degree
Semester starts January 28th thru May 25th
Spring 2023 GIS courses are either hybrid or online. What is the difference between Online and Hybrid?
Hybrid is when the student is partially online and on campus (or in the field) at the scheduled time one day a week. However, students have the option to attend connect via zoom.
Online is asynchronous where the student meets at a scheduled live lecture and will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Students are provided with the software to perform lessons from off campus however you have the option to use our high tech campus computer labs
The goal is to prepare students for employment in various fields including civil engineering, transportation, business, sciences, public safety, public health and social sciences as a GIS technician and if continuing (or currently have) BA with the potential for more advancement to an analyst position within their respective fields.
What if you have completed all courses (or by the end of the semester)
Upon completion of required Certificate of Achievement courses, students must file an application in order to receive the certificate. Deadlines change each semester to petition for Graduation (Degree and/or Certificate of Achievement). For more information visit the Rio Hondo College Graduation Page.
GIS AS Degree Required Courses
To acquire the Associate of Science Degree in Applied Geographic Information Systems, it is necessary to (1) complete the graduation requirements of the College and (2) complete the following Courses:
- (4.0) GIS 120 Intro to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
- (4.0) GIS 220 GIS Applications
- (4.0) GIS 221 Cartography Design and Geographic Information Systems
- (4.0) GIS 280 Geospatial Programming and Web Services
- (1.0) GIS 290 Cooperative Work Experience/Internship for GIS
Total Units 21 and then select 2 courses from within one of the capstone areas below
Civil Engineering Technician specialization track
- (4.0) ENGT150 AutoCAD for Basic CADD Applications or ENGT 170 Microstation for Basic CADD Applications
- (4.0) CIV 142 Introduction to Surveying and GPS
- (4.0) GIS 130 Field Data Applications for GIS
Environmental technician specialization track
- (3.0) GIS 230 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental Technology
- (4.0) GIS 130 Field Data Applications for GIS
Data Analyst specialization track
- (4.0) GIS 281 Crime Mapping and Analysis
- (4.0) PSY 190 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Note:
Courses are not listed in any order or sequence, consult the College Catalog or Course Schedule for any prerequisite requirements.