A program built for this moment

Geospatial technology is now critical infrastructure across the global economy, shaping decisions in every critical sector. As organizations increasingly depend on geospatial systems to operate at scale, they will need leaders who can bridge deep technical expertise with executive-level strategy.

Our DGEO program was built to close that gap: preparing experienced geospatial professionals not just to manage systems, but to lead the organizations and teams behind them.

We want you to have the vision to expand what geospatial technology can achieve.

Experience required:

7+ years of experience in the geospatial industry

Total credits/units:

40 units for those who have a related master’s degree

Program cadence and length:

About one class per summer, fall, and spring semesters. Designed for professionals working full-time. Finish in just over 3 years.

Format:

Highly flexible! Classes can be taken in-person or online and in real time or via recorded content. A few short in-persons visits to Los Angeles will be required for collaborative work with faculty and peers.

Inaugural cohort:

Summer 2027 (mid-May through mid-August)

Application deadline:

March 1, 2027

How does the program advance leaders through professional and technical skills?

Our program combines development in professional and technical geospatial leadership with rigorous coursework and a faculty-supervised dissertation project. The dissertation challenges students to investigate a significant question that combines elements of spatial science and leadership practice, resulting in a genuine contribution to the field.

Interested in applying?

Applications will open soon!

Applications are due on March 1, 2027. The application portal will open soon and will be linked on this page.

The inaugural class begins in Summer 2027, running from mid-May to mid-August. From there, students take courses across all three semesters: summer, fall (late August to early December), and spring (early January to early May), continuing throughout the academic year.

Questions? Email Dr. Robert O. Vos to start a conversation
DGEO application

Curriculum

The curriculum combines core coursework in geospatial leadership and geospatial technology project management with seminars on geospatial technology innovation. Students round out their training with electives drawn from advanced technical courses in areas such as geospatial artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and more.

Students who possess a master’s degree in spatial sciences (e.g., geodesy, geographic information science & technology, remote sensing and cartography) or a related field from an accredited institution, enter with advanced standing and may complete the program in 40 units.

Program outcomes

Graduates of our DGEO program will be prepared to:

  • Lead organizations toward fully scaled, innovative enterprise GIS systems
  • Apply executive-level leadership capabilities within geospatial contexts
  • Expand what geospatial technology can do to create value and address real-world challenges
  • Investigate and contribute original research at the intersection of spatial science and leadership practice
Catalina drone

FAQ

  • If you’re a working professional with leadership ambitions and a career that can’t be put on hold, the DG program was built for you. It offers executive-level education designed around a full-time schedule, drawing on a cohort of mid-career peers from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Most applicants bring some graduate training and 7-10 years of work experience, alongside a clear sense of where they want to go next.

    • Resume
    • Official Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, sealed by the institution. Full instructions are outlined on the USC Graduate Admissions Office – Transcript Requirements Page.
    • Statement of Intent: Explain your reasons for applying and what you hope to accomplish while enrolled. Describe your current role in the industry, the experiences that have shaped your career, and how a doctoral degree fits into your plans to develop as a leader in the geospatial industry.
    • Letters of Recommendation:  At least two letters from sources who can speak to your ability to work at the graduate level. Current and former employers and professors are preferred.

  • The DGEO combines the executive, real-world focus of an MBA with the depth and rigor of a doctoral degree, and it is purpose-built for the geospatial sector rather than borrowing generic business school classes. Coursework blends executive leadership training with advanced geospatial technical knowledge. The program is built specifically around the technical and strategic demands facing geospatial executives and is designed for working professionals who want to apply doctoral-level rigor directly to real organizational challenges, not step away from their careers to pursue higher education.

  • The curriculum combines core coursework in geospatial leadership and geospatial technology project management with seminars on geospatial technology innovation. Students round out their training with electives drawn from advanced technical courses in areas such as geospatial artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and more.

    Students who possess a master’s degree in spatial sciences (e.g., geodesy, geographic information science & technology, remote sensing and cartography) or a related field from an accredited institution, enter with advanced standing and may complete the program in 40 units.

  • Yes. Students work with a three-member professional advisory committee to complete a dissertation: an in-depth, original study of a business or innovation opportunity, public policy issue, or other significant dimension of professional practice in the geospatial field. It must demonstrate an original contribution to the success of the geospatial enterprise at local, state, national, and/or international scales, and meet the rigorous standards of doctoral-level scholarship.