Missouri S&T offers the nation’s first master’s degree in Geospatial Engineering, a program which integrates geodesy, GIS, remote sensing, GNSS, and uncrewed aerial systems with a strong engineering foundation. These skills enable students to acquire, analyze, model, and interpret geospatial data for real-world decision making. Graduates are equipped for diverse career pathways including geospatial engineering, GIS and remote sensing analysis, geospatial intelligence, infrastructure and environmental monitoring, surveying and mapping, navigation and autonomous systems, and robotics development—supporting applications across government, private industry, defense, energy, transportation, and environmental sectors.

Students can earn their degree either on-campus or remotely through flexible, asynchronous course offerings that support working professionals and distance students. The curriculum equips graduates to advance and lead in a rapidly evolving, data driven workforce.

The MS program in Geospatial Engineering offers an in-depth curriculum that covers essential geospatial technologies, including:

  1. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and geodesy: Understanding satellite-based systems for positioning, timing, and navigation, as well as non-satellite-based positioning methods.

  2. Remote Sensing technology: Learning to interpret and analyze data from various imaging technologies.

  3. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data.

  4. Geomatics: Developing precision in mapping, surveying, and spatial data applications.

  5. Robotics and Autonomous systems: Integrating positioning and localization technology into robotic systems.

These core academic components are supplemented by hands-on training in industry-standard software and data analysis, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. Through interdisciplinary courses, students gain collaborative experience, equipping them to work effectively with professionals from diverse fields​.

Graduates of this program will be prepared for high-demand roles in several fields. Potential career paths include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Geospatial Engineer: Working in government agencies, tech firms, or private industry to design and manage spatial data solutions.

  • Remote Sensing Analyst: Using satellite and aerial imagery for applications in agriculture, defense, or urban planning.

  • GIS Specialist: Supporting city planning, environmental protection, and infrastructure development with spatial data insights.

  • Geospatial Intelligence Analyst: Working in defense or intelligence sectors to analyze spatial data for security and operational planning.

  • Robotics development: Design, develop, test, and deploy robots and unmanned vehicle navigation systems, integrating sensors (GPS/GNSS, LiDAR, cameras, IMUs), developing algorithms for localization, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and ensuring accurate spatial data acquisition.  
Program-Core Courses
Program Core Courses
Online Courses
Current Online Courses

Admission Requirements

  • BS in geological, civil, or environmental engineering, geological or environmental sciences, computer science, or a related field

  • No GRE required

  • Minimum GPA 2.5

Apply Here

Questions? Please Contact:

Dr. Jeremy Maurer

Associate Professor

Email: jmaurer@mst.edu

Dr. Steve Gao

Department Chair, Professor

Email: sgao@mst.edu