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Geospatial program building military relations

The Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information Technologies at Delta State University continues to strengthen its relationship with the military through a proposed undergraduate degree in Geospatial Analysis and Intelligence.

“Graduating students will be well prepared to start careers with U.S. intelligence services, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, critical infrastructure operators such as electric and gas utilities, major insurance and investment brokerage firms, and the State Department,” said Talbot Brooks, center director.

The program of study is designed to meet two audiences, active duty military personnel and traditional online students.

Active duty military may complete the course of study by pursuing a Department of Defense compliant five-year, part-time online program of study. More traditional students may pursue either the online program or choose to attend Delta State and complete the course of study through a combination of in-residence and online study.

The proposed program seeks to provide students with a combination of academic study, preparation for professional certification and licensure, and practical experience gained through cooperative education.

Delta State’s efforts in this arena were recently recognized by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey, who selected the university’s program as one of 17 Centers of Academic Excellence. Other schools chosen included the Air Force Academy, George Mason University and Pennsylvania State University.

“Geospatial technologies have long been at the core of many decision-making processes, particularly in the intelligence, critical infrastructure, investment and insurance industries,” added Brooks. “The ‘where’ component is a key piece of information — ‘Where is the bad guy, Where is the competition, Where are risks the greatest?’ These and similar questions are all important and provide key insights about why, when or how something happens. The ability to analyze and apply spatial information to the decision-making process provides a significant competitive advantage, not just to our intelligence services and military, but American businesses.”

Delta State expects final approval for degree implementation by late March. Interested students are encouraged to contact Chris Smith in the center at cdsmith@deltastate.edu.

For more information on the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information Technologies at Delta State, visit https://www.deltastate.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/center-for-interdisciplinary-geospatial-information-technologies, or contact 662-588-8649.