Eastern Launching 3 New Undergraduate Certificate Programs For Fall 2026

WILLIMANTIC, CT — Eastern Connecticut State University continues to expand its academic offerings.

Eastern announced Monday the start of three new undergraduate certificate programs beginning this fall — geospatial technology, emergency services and public safety, and victim services and advocacy.

The programs are designed to complement a bachelor's degree or serve as standalone credentials for working professionals by providing students with specialized, career-focused skills that strengthen resumes and expand professional opportunities.

"Undergraduate certificates provide Eastern students with the opportunity to further distinguish their degree by acquiring and practicing skills in a specialized area," said Cheryl Wilson, Eastern's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Our current suite of undergraduate certificates allows students to dive deeply into the field through applied learning and close connections with faculty mentors in a liberal arts context."

How to apply:

• Prospective students interested in beginning a certificate program in fall 2026 should apply for admission by Aug. 1 in order to register for classes.
• Apply to Eastern: https://www.easternct.edu/admissions/

Geospatial Technology

Eastern's Geospatial Technology Certificate prepares students to use geographic information systems (GIS), spatial data, and mapping technologies to solve real-world problems across a variety of industries.

The 14-credit certificate features hands-on, project-based coursework in spatial analysis, mapping, and remote sensing. Students will develop portfolio-ready projects and gain experience using technologies relevant to fields such as environmental science, urban planning, transportation, emergency management, public health, and business analytics.

The program is open to current Eastern students, working professionals and community members seeking skills in a rapidly growing technology field.

"Geospatial skills are increasingly valuable because nearly every sector - environmental consulting, resource and conservation management, sustainable energy, public health, business analytics - relies on location-based data for decision-making," said Bryan Oakley, professor and chair of environmental earth science. "Students who can analyze and communicate spatial information are well-positioned for a workforce that is becoming more data-driven and interdisciplinary."

Oakley added that the certificate offers students highly marketable technical skills that complement a wide range of academic majors and career interests.

"What excites me most is that this certificate gives students hands-on, career-ready skills while complementing a wide range of majors, as well as nontraditional students and professionals already working in the field," he said. "It creates a clear pathway for students to apply geospatial technology to real-world problems and graduate with a highly marketable, practical skill set."

More information:

• Website: https://www.easternct.edu/environmental-earth-science/programs-of-study/undergraduate-certificate-geospatial-technology.html
• Contact Meredith Metcalf (metcalfm@easternct.edu) or Bryan Oakley (oakleyb@easternct.edu) for more information.

Victim Services and Advocacy

Eastern's Victim Services and Advocacy Certificate prepares students to work with and advocate for victims of crime through interdisciplinary coursework in criminology, sociology, and social work.

The 15-credit certificate is designed for students interested in victim services, advocacy, social services, and law enforcement, as well as professionals seeking to strengthen their knowledge and preparation in these areas.

Students will develop skills in communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and ethical decision-making while learning to support individuals and communities affected by victimization.

"There is a real need for victim advocates in the workforce," social work Professor Sarah Nightingale said. "I am excited to train students in a way that will meet the needs of our community partners and help connect those partners with students who are prepared to do this important work."

The program was developed in response to growing student interest in victim advocacy and support services.

"The share of students reporting that they are interested in working with victims of crime has increased over the years, and we wanted to create an interdisciplinary curriculum that would better prepare students for this work," criminology/sociology Professor Racheal Pesta said while noting that the certificate also benefits students interested in policing.

"Working with victims is an often overlooked but critical aspect of law enforcement," she said. "We hope this certificate will help students interested in policing develop the interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with victims of crime."

More information:

• Website: https://www.easternct.edu/sociology/programs-of-study/undergraduate-certificate-victim-services-and-advocacy.html
• Contact Sarah Nightingale (nightingale@easternct.edu) or Racheal Pesta (pestar@easternct.edu) for more information.

Emergency Services and Public Safety

Eastern's Emergency Services and Public Safety Careers Certificate prepares students for meaningful work in public safety, emergency services, and related professions. The 12-credit program is open to students across all majors and focuses on helping students connect their liberal arts education to real-world public service careers.

Students in the program will explore professional pathways in emergency services, law enforcement, corrections, forensic services, emergency communications, and related fields while developing durable skills such as communication, leadership, collaboration, and resiliency.

The program includes employer presentations, site visits, career-focused coursework, and a yearlong internship designed to provide students with hands-on experience and professional networking opportunities.

The certificate is part of Eastern's larger Career Pathways Program in emergency services and public safety (ESPS), which was developed in response to growing workforce needs in the field.

"Employers that we spoke with were struggling to connect with quality candidates for job openings," said John Fournier, the coordinator of the Career Pathways Program. "At the same time, we saw students waiting until their final semester or two to begin career development. By bringing employers and students together earlier, we can help students build future-oriented skills while helping employers identify strong candidates."

Fournier emphasized the value of the program's networking opportunities and internship experience.

"By making these connections between students and employers and building in time for them to work side by side with each other, employers have an opportunity to make an investment in a candidate they know well," he said.

More information

• Website: https://www.easternct.edu/sociology/programs-of-study/undergraduate-certificate-emergency-services-and-public-safety-careers.html
• Contact John Fournier (journierj@easternct.edu) or William Lugo (lugow@easternct.edu) for more information.