Online
Skip the classroom and get right to the learning.
Online GIS Courses
Can't make it to campus? No problem. We offer flexible online courses that allow you to focus on the curriculum, not the commute.
Whether taking courses in the classroom, online, or both, all ACC GIS students are provided the same learning outcomes.
Level I Certificate
Online students pursuing the Level I Certificate complete the same 20 semester hours and 512 contact hours of Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum as classroom students. This program is great for students comfortable with online learning who wish to pursue a GIS certificate outside of the traditional classroom setting.
Level II Certificate
Students pursuing the Level II Certificate are able to attend some classes in a mode called Hybrid Flexible, or HyFlex. With HyFlex, out-of-district students are permitted to attend the live class remotely through web conferencing software. The Level II GIS courses are offered in the late afternoon to evening so they might fit into the schedule of students working full-time.
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Students pursuing the Associate's Degree will find that the core curriculum courses required outside the GIS Department are also offered online.
Complete the form at the bottom of this page to be contacted by ACC GIS Program Assistant Jennifer Black (jennifer.black@austincc.edu) for more information.
“
My experience with professors at ACC has been so much more personal and supportive than I ever knew in my Bachelor's degree. It really makes the difference in the quality of education.
-ACC Student C.V.
”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Competency Based Education (CBE)? Competency Based Education (CBE) allows students to advance in their coursework upon demonstrated mastery of a specific skill. Students are provided with timely, differentiated support based on individual learning needs, and assessments are a positive learning experience. Students must master these skills at a minimum pace.
How do I apply? All applicants must be an ACC student. If you are not an ACC student, you must apply to the college and obtain your ACC ID before enrolling.
How much will the online GIS Level I Certificate cost? The cost of the online program is the same as a classroom GIS Level I Certificate, approximately $1,700 total. (Out of district students incur higher fees.)
How long will it take to complete an online GIS Level I Certificate? The program as a whole could be completed in 1 calendar year.
Do students attend class? Not in person. Students access the course materials and assessments (e.g. quizzes, tests, assignments, projects) online through ACC's learning management system (the course website) and exams are proctored in a video call (web camera with audio is required). Weekly communication with the instructor and classmates is conducted online using Google Gmail or Chat.
Are there scheduled due dates? Students enrolled in a course develop their own custom schedule based on at least one topic per week.
What are the guidelines for students participating in ACC GIS CBE online courses?
Students must register for online courses during enrollment for the Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester in which they plan on taking the course;
Once they start a course, students should maintain a pace of 1 topic per week;
Students must receive a grade of 80% or better on each competency assessment before proceeding to the next competency;
Students should complete Fall/Spring courses within 16-weeks and Summer courses within 10-weeks of starting a course; and
If a student falls more than 3 topics behind, they could be withdrawn from the course.
What courses are offered? All courses required to complete a GIS Level I Certificate include: Introduction to GIS, Introduction to Geospatial Data, Intermediate GIS, Map Design and Use, Data Acquisition and Analysis, and the Capstone.
Do I need a computer? Yes. A desktop or laptop computer with a Windows Operating System and access to the Internet is required. The computer should be less than three years old and capable of running ESRI's ArcGIS Pro desktop software.
What course materials are provided to the student through our online format? All students are given lecture and lab slides with associated videos recorded by full-time faculty members, reading materials, quizzes, exercises, software demonstrations, tests, and projects. Students are also provided licenses to the required software used in each course.
Will I have an instructor? Yes. Each course is taught by an experienced GIS instructor who is available to answer questions, provide feedback, and grade assessments.
Who do I contact for more information? Please contact ACC GIS Program Assistant Jennifer Black (jennifer.black@austincc.edu) for more information or simply submit the form below. We look forward to answering your questions about this online program.