\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fullerton College\u00a0recently welcomed\u00a0the\u00a0new Geospatial Technologies\u00a0Certificate\u00a0to its curriculum.\u00a0Developed by Department of Geography\u00a0Professors Joseph\u00a0Diminutto and Aline Gregorio, this\u00a0fully\u00a0online\u00a0certificate\u00a0teaches\u00a0students\u00a0the core foundation of\u00a0geospatial science\u00a0with the focused goal of gaining\u00a0a\u00a0professional,\u00a0competitive edge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Students who\u00a0enroll in\u00a0the\u00a0four-semester certificate program learn how to think spatially\u00a0and\u00a0conduct data analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)\u00a0while\u00a0developing\u00a0the knowledge and fluency of\u00a0data entry, management and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGIS continues to be instrumental in helping leaders address environmental hazards, track disease outbreaks, improve public transportation and safety and inform policy decisions,\u201d said Gregorio. \u201cStudents earning this certification recognize that GIS is much more than mapping: it is a powerful framework for understanding the intersections of data, geography, technology and society.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
So far,\u00a0Fullerton College students Alison Cover, Daniel Lee and Pete Plass have\u00a0earned the certificate, forming\u00a0the program\u2019s first-ever cohort.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided to pursue this certificate to formally develop technical skills in GIS and spatial analysis to complement my professional background in legal research and litigation,\u201d said Lee.\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0was interested in how geospatial technologies can be applied to real-world problem-solving, data\u00a0visualization and regulatory or investigative work. The certificate provides a structured pathway to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical application.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The program\u2019s\u00a0online\u00a0modality is also\u00a0an example of Fullerton College\u2019s strategic efforts\u00a0to\u00a0provide\u00a0flexible options for students with busy schedules.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe remote flexibility has allowed me to take this class when I normally wouldn\u2019t be able to,\u201d said Plass, a professional who earned the certificate in efforts to advance his career.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve\u00a0enjoyed\u00a0the\u00a0gradual encouragement of creativity in our projects. They parallel the work assignments I have.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAsynchronous online courses allow GIS education to be more flexible by allowing students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. It may also be considered more accessible and inclusive compared to traditional face-to-face modalities because asynchronous formats often provide more accessible learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities,\u201d said Diminutto. \u201cEach of the GIS courses offered at Fullerton College provide hands-on training with industry-standard tools like ArcGIS Pro, allowing students to gain practical experience with geospatial software, as well as geographic data collection, analysis, modeling and presentation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GIS Technologies Certificate is\u00a0unique to\u00a0the California Community College\u00a0system\u00a0due to its online presence, pushing the boundaries of\u00a0traditional academic pathways. While\u00a0the certificate program\u00a0is\u00a0available\u00a0to current Fullerton College students, it is also open to working professionals looking to\u00a0advance\u00a0their careers and expand their capabilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Students who complete the certificate go on\u00a0to\u00a0careers in public health, law enforcement, urban\u00a0planning\u00a0and\u00a0much\u00a0more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis certificate will increase my success\u00a0and make me a more valuable employee. I can also command a higher salary,\u201d said Cover.\u00a0\u201cI intend to continue earning certificates at Fullerton College to become more well-rounded and support my\u00a0career.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n