I found this question and answer from the Master of Applied Science in Spatial Analysis for Public Health webpage at Johns Hopkins interesting. How do you see the relationship between spatial analysis and GIS this way?
WHAT IS SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT THAN GIS?
There are many definitions of spatial analysis; broadly, it is any use or interpretation of geographic information. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a component of spatial analysis, but it is more primarily focused on the mapping software as a tool for integrating, manipulating, and displaying spatial data. This program in Spatial Analysis covers a more encompassing set of skills, introducing and reinforcing the spatial science paradigm – a unifying comprehensive approach that includes components of spatial data, Geographic Information Systems and spatial statistics.Subscribe
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University of Maine
I noted the University of Maine online Masters last week and wanted to share the answers to a few questions I posed. Harlan Onsrud from the School of Computing and Information Science responded. (1) I asked about a reference in the press release to the program being "STEM certified." That, I've learned, is a designation of degrees (pdf) by the Department of Homeland Security. International students who attend those programs can receive special benefits, including staying in the U.S. to do follow up study/work. This designation can also be important to international online students since it can be used to secure funding. (2) I asked "How exactly does the university distinguish [the program] from all the other online Master of GIS Programs? What is unique?"