UW-Madison Department of Geography

What UW-Madison Department of Geography does

The UW-Madison Department of Geography is a public academic unit within the University of Wisconsin-Madison that delivers undergraduate and graduate education in geography, cartography, and GIS, conducts research spanning physical, human, people-environment, and cartographic subfields, and operates several specialized research and outreach units. It serves prospective undergraduates, graduate researchers, working professionals pursuing GIS credentials, and Wisconsin communities reached through the Wisconsin Idea. Core educational offerings include two undergraduate majors (Geography; Cartography & GIS), research-based MS and PhD programs, an accelerated/non-thesis MS in Cartography & GIS, online capstone certificates in GIS Fundamentals and Advanced GIS, and a new undergraduate Certificate in Geospatial Data Science introduced in Fall 2025.

The department's technology portfolio spans geospatial data science, GeoAI, computer vision applied to historical maps, temporal graph neural networks for wildfire prediction, spatial computing, and large-scale georeferenced data analytics. Proprietary assets include the History of Cartography Project (a six-volume foundational publication operating since 1981), the State Cartographer's Office (statutorily defined and housed in the department since 1974), the Robinson Map Library with the GeoData@Wisconsin geoportal, the Cartography Lab (established 1953, supervising 650+ mapping projects), and applications such as Pronounce Wisconsin and the Statewide Digital Parcel Database.

As a state-funded academic unit, the department operates a non-commercial revenue model funded through a mix of state appropriations via the University of Wisconsin System, tuition, externally awarded research grants (NSF, WARF, National Geographic Society, Mellon Foundation), and alumni donations and endowments. Distribution occurs through on-campus instruction in Madison, 100% online programs reaching a global audience, and community-engaged outreach. No private equity, venture funding, or M&A pathway exists; tuition and fees are set by the UW System rather than by the department.

Name

UW-Madison Department of Geography

Legal name

UW-Madison Department of Geography

Website

https://geography.wisc.edu

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The UW-Madison Department of Geography is a public academic unit delivering undergraduate and graduate degrees in geography, cartography, and GIS, conducting research across earth system science and spatial computing, and operating specialized units including the State Cartographer's Office and the History of Cartography Project.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Geography and GIS

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms (BPAMANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geospatial Data Management & Enterprise GIS (Geodatabases, Web GIS, Spatial Analytics) (EUAHAKAC), Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB), Earth Science & Geoscience Programs (EDAMABAI), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Geography education
• Geographic information systems
• Cartography programs
• Geospatial data science
• Higher education research

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a public university department, core operations are funded through UW-Madison with support from state appropriations
2. Tuition Revenue: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate student tuition for Geography and Cartography/GIS programs
3. Research Grants: External funding from agencies including NSF, WARF, National Geographic Society, and other federal/state sources for faculty research
4. Donations and Endowments: Alumni donations and endowed funds (such as Carl Lindstrom MS'72 endowment) supporting student awards and travel

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UW-Madison Department of Geography delivers undergraduate majors in Geography and Cartography & GIS, graduate research degrees (MS and PhD in Geography; MS in Cartography & GIS), and professional certificates (including GIS Fundamentals, Advanced GIS, and the 2025-launched Certificate in Geospatial Data Science). The department operates specialized units (State Cartographer's Office, Robinson Map Library, Cartography Lab, History of Cartography Project) and conducts research via labs spanning paleovegetation analysis, biogeochemistry, geospatial data science, and spatial computing.

Product overview

The UW-Madison Department of Geography offers educational programs spanning undergraduate majors (Geography; Cartography & GIS), graduate research degrees (MS and PhD in Geography; MS in Cartography & GIS), and professional programs (accelerated/non-thesis MS and online certificates in GIS Development, Fundamentals, and Advanced GIS). The department also houses specialized research and outreach units including the State Cartographer's Office, Robinson Map Library, Cartography Lab, and History of Cartography Project. Research is conducted through multiple specialized labs covering earth system science, biogeochemistry, chemical ecology, geospatial data science, land use studies, paleovegetation research, and spatial computing. New in 2025 is a Certificate in Geospatial Data Science for undergraduates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geography Major Undergraduate major (BA/BS) covering physical, human, and people-environment geographies, designed for students seeking broad training in geographic analysis, environmental studies, and spatial thinking.
• Cartography & GIS Major Undergraduate major (BA/BS) focused on cartographic design, GIS technology, geovisualization, and geospatial analysis, preparing students for careers in cartography, GIS, and related fields.
• Certificate in Geospatial Data Science Undergraduate certificate teaching students to make sense of the world in a data-driven way using geospatial data science techniques. Launched in Fall 2025.
• MS in Cartography & GIS: GIS Development (Online) 100% online non-thesis professional master's program teaching programming, software development, and web map scripting for those who studied GIS before the rise of GIS software development and online map programming.
• MS in Cartography & GIS: Accelerated/Non-Thesis (On-Campus) On-campus accelerated/non-thesis professional master's degree that takes students from novice to expert, offering software development skills and tools to solve real-world spatial problems.
• Online Capstone Certificate - GIS Fundamentals Online professional certificate teaching cartography, spatial analysis, GIS programming, and technological skills, with credits that stack into the MS programs for working GIS professionals.
• Online Capstone Certificate - Advanced GIS Advanced online professional certificate teaching how to create GIS tools, solve big data and spatial analyses, and build interactive, mobile visualizations, with credits that stack into the MS programs.
• Research MS and PhD in Geography Research-based master's and doctoral programs covering human geography, people-environment, and Earth systems subfields, preparing graduates for academic and research careers.
• Research MS in Cartography & GIS Research-based master's degree in Cartography & GIS offered by the department, complementing the research MS/PhD in Geography and the professional MS tracks.
• State Cartographer's Office (SCO) A specialized position within UW-Madison defined in state statute and housed in the Geography Department since 1974, fostering development of Wisconsin's geospatial community via creation and exchange of geospatial data, services, and information. Manages partnerships and externally funded projects with state agencies.
• Arthur H. Robinson Map Library (RML) Large cartographic research collection focused on curation of and access to maps, aerial photos, and digital geospatial data, including digitization services and access to the GeoData@Wisconsin geoportal.
• UW Cartography Lab Full-service production facility conducting research and development on cartographic design and geographic visualization, providing apprenticeship-like experience with real-world client interaction for students; has supervised 650+ mapping projects.
• History of Cartography Project Six-volume comprehensive history covering prehistory to the twentieth century — the foundational publication in the field — viewing maps as cultural artifacts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 75 cartography students have established successful careers at major organizations including Apple, Bloomberg, Esri, Mapbox, National Geographic, New York Times, NPR, Washington Post
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Professor Jack Williams collaborated with scientists nationwide to present the NASEM report on 'A Synthesis Center for Paleoenvironmental Records of Extreme Events.' The report envisions a center to translate paleoscientific knowledge about past extreme events for policymakers and communities.
• Nelson Institute's Center for Climatic ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeography faculty including Jack Williams serve as core faculty in this interdisciplinary research center focused on climate studies.
• State Cartographer's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA specialized unit housed within the Geography Department since 1974, fostering Wisconsin's geospatial community via data creation, exchange, and outreach.
• Department of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy ManagementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASEM report was produced at the request of this federal agency, which requested the Synthesis Center for Paleoenvironmental Records of Extreme Events.
• Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCO collaborated with DOA on statewide parcel map initiative and broadband mapping project worth $168,000 in federal funding.
• Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCO received funding to develop address and parcel data for broadband mapping efforts of PSCW.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCO coordinates statewide land cover map update project with DNR.
• United Nations / International Cartographic AssociationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCartography Lab completed 'Mapping for a Sustainable World' partnership with UN and ICA, with students working on various aspects.
• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome institution providing core operational funding for Geography Department and its units including SCO, Cartography Lab, and History of Cartography Project.
• UW-Madison LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeography Library and Robinson Map Library are specialized units supporting cartographic research and access to maps, aerial photos, and digital geospatial data.
• Geography ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUndergraduate student organization that receives departmental financial support since 2006 for conference registration and travel to AAG meetings.
• Morgridge Center for Public ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Wisconsin Idea Fellowships for students conducting community-engaged projects including those in Geography Department.
• UW-Madison Center for Teaching, Learning & Mentoring (CTLM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with Cartography Lab to develop Wisconsin K-5 cartography education standards, the first dedicated cartography standards in the US.
• UW-Madison School of EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing K-5 cartography curriculum standards with CTLM and Cartography Lab.
• Urban Underground of MilwaukeemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in 2019 Design Challenge focused on Transforming Justice project documenting histories and experiences of policing.
• UW-Milwaukee Departments of GeographycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating departments on Transforming Justice project and Design Challenge events spanning both campuses.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Minnesota Department of Geography, Environment & Society: UMN Geography is a Big Ten public research geography department with broad human, physical, and GIS coverage including online master's options, comparable to UW-Madison's scale and portfolio.
• Ohio State University Department of Geography: Ohio State Geography is a large US geography department offering BA, BS, MA, and PhD programs and the Byrd Polar Research Center, comparable to UW-Madison's research lab portfolio and graduate training.
• University of Maryland, Department of Geographical Sciences: UMD Geographical Sciences is a top-tier US geography department with strong research programs in geospatial data science and remote sensing, comparable to UW-Madison's GeoDS Lab and spatial computing research.
• Johns Hopkins Online GIS Graduate Programs: Johns Hopkins offers online MS and certificate programs in GIS and geospatial intelligence, competing directly for working professionals in the same online credential segment as UW-Madison's GIS Professional Programs.
• University of California, Santa Barbara Department of Geography: UCSB Geography is a leading research department with strengths in physical, human, and people-environment geography and remote sensing, directly comparable across the same subareas as UW-Madison.
• UC Davis Graduate Program in Geographic Information Science: UC Davis Geography is a UC system geography department with notable GIScience and cartography graduate training, comparable to UW-Madison's Cartography/GIS MS and certificate programs.
• Penn State Online GIS Programs: Penn State World Campus is the established leader in online GIS graduate certificates and master's programs with global reach; directly comparable to UW-Madison's online MS and capstone certificates serving working GIS professionals.

Regional players

• University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Department of Geography: UWM Geography is a Wisconsin-based peer geography department that has collaborated with UW-Madison on Design Challenges and the Transforming Justice project, sharing Wisconsin student and faculty overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Esri Training and Esri Academy: Esri Academy is the dominant commercial provider of GIS training and certifications, including the Esri Technical Certification program; it operates alongside UW-Madison's online GIS credentials in shaping professional GIS upskilling.

Emerging players

• Coursera GIS Specializations (e.g., University of Toronto, UC Davis): Coursera hosts MOOC-based GIS specializations from universities including UC Davis and the University of Toronto, offering low-cost entry-level GIS credentials that compete for the same aspiring-professional segment as UW-Madison's online certificate programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UWMadisonGeography
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uwmadisongeography
• Instagraminstagram.com/uwmadisongeography
• Xx.com/uwmadisongeog

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UW-Madison Department of Geography