Clark University plans to launch the world’s first professional doctorate in geospatial technology in the summer of 2027, the Worcester school announced on Tuesday.
The degree, formally dubbed an executive doctor of geospatial leadership, will be largely low-residency and designed to be completed in as little as two years.
Geospatial technology refers to geographical data and information used for analysis and visualization, a sector experiencing shifts and leaps due to the advent of artificial intelligence. It stands to be relevant in sectors concerned with geography, including agriculture, energy, environmental studies and conservation, insurance, and more.
The new degree program was announced at a Tuesday event in London, hosted by the World Geospatial Industry Council, which worked with Clark on the program’s design. The degree is intended for mid- and senior-level professionals with at least seven years of experience working with geospatial technology or in related fields, including GIS, remote sensing, or GeoAI, according to a program description.
Those accepted will be required to travel to Worcester at least three times over the course of their studies, including an in-person orientation and two one-week in-person residencies.
“We are at the point where the scale and impact of the geospatial industry has expanded greatly, moving beyond traditional GIS and remote sensing to integrate AI, machine learning, and data engineering,” said Lou Leonard, dean of Clark’s School of Climate, Environment, and Society, in an announcement.
The University of Southern California is launching a similar degree at the same time, although Clark said the two programs are distinct.
Monica Benevides is a correspondent for Worcester Business Journal.
