UNCW has received a prestigious external accreditation from the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation to offer both an undergraduate and graduate certificate in geospatial intelligence starting this fall. This accreditation came after a significant self-study report, site visit and external peer review of UNCW’s program. With this accreditation, UNCW becomes one of only 17 USGIF-accredited colleges and universities in the nation.
“Accreditation acknowledges the great work done by our faculty in this area and expands our professional network and opportunities for our students, staff and faculty,” said Aswani Volety, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We are pleased to be among the very select group of universities recognized and are happy to contribute to the security and intelligence of this great country.”
With accreditation at both the undergraduate and graduate level, UNCW can offer students enhanced educational opportunities and more marketable skills, providing them with a competitive edge in today’s workforce.
“Our students will now have access to critical networking opportunities with industry, government and other academic partners that will open career pathways that would otherwise not have been available,” said Narcisa Pricope, associate professor in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences. “A GEOINT certificate prepares students for careers in the growing field of geospatial technologies. Upon graduating, students will have the skills to do everything from assisting communities on how to predict and react to natural disasters to helping respond to migration crises and environmental refugee flows.”
UNCW is also the first USGIF-accredited institution with an ocean and coastal GEOINT focus, providing program graduates with additional career opportunities. Advancing academic programming and preparing students for post-graduate success are both key priorities of the university’s Strategic Plan.
Originally published August 17, 2018.