Youngstown State University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics has expanded its academic offerings with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science, now available both on campus and fully online.

YSU is the third institution in Ohio to offer a standalone bachelor’s degree rather than a specialization. The program is open for enrollment.

The degree prepares students to collect, analyze, visualize and manage spatial and nonspatial data using advanced mapping technologies. By applying geographic data to real-world challenges, graduates gain skills that can be used in environmental science, urban planning, public health, emergency management and business logistics.

“It’s a high-tech skill set applied to a wide range of content areas,” said Bradley Shellito, professor and coordinator of GIS. “Students not only learn how to work with data, but how to solve real-world problems using location-based insights.”

With growing demand for GIS professionals, the new degree offers students the flexibility to pursue either the traditional in-person experience or a fully online pathway. Career opportunities for GIS graduates include cartographer, geoscientist, forester, surveyor and data engineer, as well as positions in government agencies, nonprofits and private industry. The median salary for GIS professionals ranges from $47,000 to $164,000 as of 2024.

“Our graduates are highly qualified but missing one critical component to elevate them in their careers — GIS experience,” said Peter Kimosop, associate professor and coordinator of GIS. “By creating this program, backed by clear evidence from employer expectation, we’re ensuring students graduate fully prepared for today’s data-driven careers.”

Mahoning County offers a free GIS website that allows residents to enter an address to access property boundaries, tax information, land cover and more — demonstrating how widely the technology is used in everyday life.