Reaccreditation: University of South Carolina’s GEOINT Certificate

The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is pleased to announce the reaccreditation of the University of South Carolina’s (USC) undergraduate certificate program in Geospatial Intelligence. Following a rigorous evaluation, USC’s program has been reaccredited for a five-year term. This term is from October 1, 2024, through October 1, 2029. 

First accredited by USGIF in 2015, USC is 1 of 23 academic institutions offering USGIF-accredited GEOINT certificates or degrees. Since its inception, the program has prepared students with critical geospatial competencies aligned with industry and government needs. 

“USC continues to uphold exceptional standards in GEOINT education,” said Christine Devine, USGIF’s Director of Education and Professional Development. “We are proud to reaffirm their accreditation and celebrate their enduring contributions to the geospatial intelligence community.” 

The reaccreditation process recognized USC’s excellence in: 

• Advanced GEOINT competencies that align with workforce demands 

• Strategic partnerships with government and industry for hands-on learning opportunities 

• State-of-the-art facilities fostering experiential education 

• A dedicated, multidisciplinary faculty and strong institutional support 

Susan Wang, GEOINT Certificate Program Director and professor of geography at USC, emphasized  the program’s commitment to preparing students. “Our program aligns closely with USGIF’s GEOINT Essential Body of Knowledge, ensuring that students gain the skills needed to excel in their disciplines.” 

Interim Associate Dean Carl T. Dahlman further highlighted the program’s versatility, noting its value across disciplines such as remote sensing, GIS, and spatial data analysis. “The GEOINT curriculum enhances students’ analytical proficiency and career readiness in government agencies, nonprofits, and private industry.” 

USGIF’s accreditation underscores USC’s position as a leader in GEOINT education, equipping students to tackle critical challenges in this dynamic field. Interested academic institutions should visit the Education webpage for more information on the standards and guidelines and the steps to accreditation