Master of Business Administration - Accounting
The MBA program at the University of the Potomac typically consists of 12 courses, tota...
Master of Business Administration - Geospatial Intelligence
Washington, D.C., Virginia
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Program Overview
The MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration at the University of the Potomac typically requires 36 academic credits for completion. The program is structured to first build a strong foundation in core business administration principles. Students complete eight core MBA courses (24 credits) covering essential business functions such as managerial accounting, finance, marketing, and strategic management. Following this, they undertake four specialized courses (12 credits) specifically focused on Geospatial Intelligence. This integrated approach ensures graduates develop both the deep technical understanding of geospatial technologies and the broader business acumen necessary to lead and make strategic decisions in a world increasingly driven by location-based data. The program is generally designed for completion within approximately two years.
Curriculum: The 36-semester-hour curriculum for the MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration at the University of the Potomac commences with foundational MBA core courses. These typically include: "BUS 501 Managerial Accounting," "BUS 502 Managerial Economics," "BUS 503 Managerial Finance," "BUS 510 Strategic Management," "BUS 520 Human Resources and Organizational Behavior," "BUS 530 Marketing Management," "BUS 560 Management and Information Systems," and "BUS 570 Business Ethics." After establishing this strong business foundation, students transition to the four specialized Geospatial Intelligence concentration courses: "GIS 580 Geospatial Intelligence," "GIS 581 Geospatial Analysis and Modeling," "GIS 583 Geospatial Web and Mobile Programming," and "GIS 585 GSI Applications in IT, Business, Management, Health & Government Operation." This curriculum is crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding of geospatial concepts, analytical tools, programming, and real-world applications.
Research Focus: The University of the Potomac's MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration has a strong applied research focus, emphasizing the practical application of geospatial technologies to solve business and organizational challenges. While it does not typically require a traditional academic thesis, the curriculum is designed to enable students to "gain unique knowledge of Geospatial Thinking and get the opportunity to utilize top-notch ArcGIS software to operate in 2-D/3-D environment, become skilled in designing Smart Cities, Geospatial Mobile Apps for providing competitive advantage to IT companies, businesses, governments, and agencies." Courses like "Geospatial Analysis and Modeling" and "GSI Applications" inherently involve data analysis, problem-solving, and the development of evidence-based solutions using geospatial information. The program aims to train graduates who can critically analyze spatial data and leverage it for strategic decision-making and innovation.
Industry Engagement: The University of the Potomac's MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration demonstrates significant industry engagement by directly aligning its curriculum with the burgeoning demand for professionals skilled in geospatial technologies. The program explicitly aims to provide a "competitive advantage to IT companies, businesses, governments, and agencies" by training graduates in areas like "Geospatial Web and Mobile Programming" and "Geospatial Analysis and Modeling," which are highly sought-after skills in various sectors. The university's emphasis on utilizing "top-notch ArcGIS software" indicates a practical, industry-relevant approach. Furthermore, the existence of a "Geospatial Intelligence Club" at the university, which encourages students to attend "Geospatial meetups and geospatial conferences in the DMV area," reflects a proactive approach to connecting students with industry trends and professionals.
Global Perspective: The MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration at the University of the Potomac inherently incorporates a strong global perspective due to the universal nature and widespread applications of geospatial intelligence. Geospatial data, derived from satellites and other global sources, is inherently global in its reach and relevance, impacting everything from climate change analysis and disaster response to international supply chain logistics and global market analysis. While a specific course on "Global Geospatial Policy" might not be explicitly listed, the application-focused courses like "GSI Applications in IT, Business, Management, Health & Government Operation" would naturally involve global case studies and implications. The University of the Potomac's overall mission and diverse student body also contribute to fostering a learning environment that encourages a broader, international understanding of how geospatial intelligence influences global challenges and opportunities.
Location
Washington, D.C., Virginia
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 22250
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 59 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of the Potomac is dedicated to making education affordable and accessible for international students by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need, helping reduce the overall cost of education for deserving students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students demonstrating strong academic performance may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These awards reward high GPA, outstanding achievements, and exceptional contributions in previous educational settings. Merit scholarships can significantly lower tuition fees and encourage students to maintain high academic standards throughout their studies.
Need-Based Scholarships: The university also offers need-based scholarships designed to assist international students facing financial challenges. Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed financial information during the admissions process to be considered for these scholarships, which aim to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the student’s financial resources.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain academic programs at the University of the Potomac provide dedicated scholarships for international students, especially in fields such as business administration, information technology, and cybersecurity. These program-specific awards support students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.
Graduates of the University of the Potomac's MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration are uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between business strategy and spatial data analytics.
Geospatial Solutions Architect: Graduates design and implement complex geospatial solutions for businesses or government agencies, translating strategic needs into technical GIS and location intelligence architectures.
Geospatial Project Manager: These professionals lead and manage projects involving GIS implementation, data acquisition, spatial analysis, and the development of geospatial applications, ensuring successful delivery within budget and scope.
Business Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial Focus): Leveraging both business acumen and geospatial skills, graduates analyze location-based data to provide strategic insights for market analysis, site selection, supply chain optimization, and customer segmentation.
Geospatial Data Scientist: These roles involve applying advanced statistical, machine learning, and programming techniques to large geospatial datasets to extract valuable insights, build predictive models, and support data-driven decision-making.
Smart Cities Program Manager: Graduates can work for municipal governments or private firms, leading initiatives that utilize geospatial intelligence for urban planning, infrastructure development, traffic management, and public safety in smart city contexts.
Geospatial Consultant: These professionals advise various organizations on how to best leverage geospatial technologies and data for their specific business needs, often specializing in areas like environmental management, logistics, or real estate.
Defense/Intelligence Community Analyst (Geospatial Intelligence): Given the program's emphasis on "Geospatial Intelligence," graduates are well-suited for roles in government agencies (e.g., NGA, DoD) where they analyze imagery and spatial data for national security and strategic intelligence.
Sales/Business Development Manager (Geospatial Technology): Graduates with strong business and technical understanding can work for GIS software companies or geospatial data providers, identifying client needs and selling relevant solutions.
Disaster Response and Emergency Management Specialist (GIS focus): These roles involve using geospatial data and tools for situational awareness, resource allocation, and planning in response to natural disasters or other emergencies.
Urban Planner (Geospatial emphasis): Graduates can utilize their geospatial skills to analyze demographic trends, land use patterns, and infrastructure data to develop sustainable urban and regional development plans.
