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Students interested in kickstarting an energy career are likely already familiar with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in various energy-related fields. A multi-year commitment to a degree program, however, is just one of many options. As an alternative, academic certificates provide students with a lower barrier to entry, while also providing the opportunity to specialize in an energy career.
Academic certificates aren’t commonly discussed, so aspiring energy students may have overlooked their potential benefits. In this guide we cover what academic certificates in energy entail, their purpose, and how much they cost. And if an energy certificate program meets your needs, you’ll want to view the thorough directory of academic certificate programs in energy at the end of this guide.
Takeaways
- Looking to gain specialized skills in an energy field? Our listings contain undergraduate & graduate certificates in everything from Solar Energy Installation to Energy Investment Analysis.
- Academic certificates in energy are not the same as industry certifications. Energy certificates help students dig into a topic of interest; certifications like CEM® help energy professionals test their proficiency & workplace skills.
- Energy certificates from a university or college are designed to be short and focused (e.g. 4-5 courses). You can use them to trial a degree or buff up your résumé.
What Is a University Certificate in Energy?
Energy certificates are credit-based programs requiring fewer courses than full-time undergraduate or graduate degrees. While full degree programs require many courses (general credits, major coursework, electives), university certificates complete coursework that’s narrowly focused on a specific area of study. Certificate students can choose an elective or two but do not complete general education credits.
Academic certificates in energy include specialties across the industry, from renewable and sustainable energy to energy management and policy. Certificate programs are ideal for working professionals who don’t have time to invest into a full degree program but still want
- to learn specialized skills
- to attain deeper knowledge in specific energy subjects
- to bolster their résumé and advance their career
Most energy certificates can be completed in one year, making them shorter than associate (two years), bachelor’s (four years), and master’s (2 years) degrees. Students typically complete four or five courses, totaling 12–15 credits—credits which can be applied toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.
Academic Certificates vs. Professional Certification in the Energy Industry
Academic certificates are often confused with professional certifications in the energy industry. The difference can be summarized by the provider: academic certificates are offered by colleges and universities awarding academic credits, whereas certifications are available through industry associations or trade organizations.
Academic certificates are completed by students interested in a formal education, whereas certifications allow working professionals to demonstrate continued learning and proficiency in an energy subject. Examples of professional certifications include those from the Association of Energy Engineers or the Energy Management Association.
The differences between certificates and certification can be further defined by their purpose, cost, and value.
Purpose: Professional certifications teach professionals about advances in the field or specific skills they can use in their daily work. They’re sometimes mandated for continuing education requirements to be applied toward certification maintenance or renewal.
Academic certificates, on the other hand, serve as an academic qualification that demonstrates a person’s formal knowledge in an energy-related field.
Cost: Academic certificates typically charge the same per-credit tuition as an institution’s regular degree programs. For example, Florida Atlantic University charges $800 per credit hour, which for 12 credit hours (4 classes at 3 credits per class) comes to $9,600.
Professional certifications charge for study materials and exam fees. For instance, becoming a Certified Energy Manager (which requires a formal education and professional experience) costs $500, between application and exam fees.
Value: Professional certifications may be required for career advancement in certain fields, including becoming licensed for specific jobs.
Academic certificate programs are voluntary, meaning they’re not required for licenses or employment in general. They can be pursued before a professional is first exposed to the field, such as a student who’s interested in engineering but wants to learn whether energy engineering would suit them. These certificates can also come after their full-time education as a way to add new dynamics to their existing career, like an energy engineer wanting to learn about new renewable technology systems that have developed since finishing their education.
Types of Energy Certificate Programs
Energy certificates can be classified by level: undergraduate vs. graduate certificate programs.
Undergraduate certificates are earned prior to an associate or bachelor’s degree in energy, whereas graduate certificates are typically completed after an undergraduate program.
Undergraduate certificates are often designed to train students on technical subjects. For example, Raritan Valley Community College offers an undergraduate certificate in Commercial Energy Management Technology. Graduate-level certificates, on the other hand, are meant to build upon an assumed undergraduate level of understanding and steer into more academic specialties, such as the University of Pennsylvania’s graduate certificate in Energy Management and Policy.
When it comes to program focus, your energy certificate options are seemingly endless. Undergraduate and graduate certificates cover various energy sources (solar, wind, etc.) and roles (engineering, management, policy). For example
Energy Engineering Certificates. Find broad energy engineering graduate certificates at the University of Texas Arlington (Sustainable or Renewable Engineering) or specialized certificates at University of Massachusetts Lowell (e.g., Wind Energy Engineering).
Energy Systems Certificates. These programs range from the Certificate in Engineering Thermal Energy Systems from the University of Wisconsin–Madison to the undergraduate Certificate in Power and Energy from the University of Kentucky.
Energy Management and Policy. For a less technical route, consider business or strategic energy applications through management or policy programs, such as Portland State University’s Graduate Certificate in Energy Policy and Management.
Energy Technician Certificate Programs. Energy technicians are in demand, and technical certificates, like Northwestern Michigan College’s Construction Technology and Renewable Energy Technology – HVAC/R Certificate, lead to hands-on positions.
Energy Certificate Coursework and Program Structure
Students entering a university certificate program can expect to spend a full year completing the course requirements. They will finish four to five courses all focused on a specialized subject, such as energy engineering, energy management, energy policy. Upon completion of these requirements, students will be awarded a university certificate demonstrating their advanced knowledge in that field. What the student chooses to do next, whether enroll into a full-time degree program or pursue employment, is up to them.
Students may be wondering about the specific coursework they will complete within their certificate program. That depends on the program’s focus and how many electives students can select. The examples below demonstrate how varied energy certificate programs can be and the resulting differences in coursework requirements:
- Florida Atlantic University’s Energy Resilience Certificate addresses smart grids, solar energy engineering, and power system analysis and control.
- Sante Fe Community College’s Grid Modernization Certificate requires classes such as Distributed Energy, Introduction to Power and Energy, and Computer Security Fundamentals.
- San Juan College’s Tribal Energy Management Certificate has students study the oil and gas industry, instrumentation technology, and safety and health concepts.
- George Washington University’s graduate certificate in Environmental Systems Management offers more business-focused coursework in environmental management, environmental self-governance, and hazardous waste management.
All Energy Certificate Programs
131Schools Found
Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks
College of Rural & Community Development
Fairbanks, Alaska
Arizona
Arizona State University
College of Global Futures
Tempe, Arizona
Coconino Community College
Department of Skilled Trades
Flagstaff, Arizona
Estrella Mountain Community College
Energy Institute
Avondale, Arizona
Northland Pioneer College
Department of Energy & Industrial Technology
Holbrook, Arizona
California
Cabrillo College
Department of Construction and Energy Management
Aptos, California
College of the Desert
School of Applied Sciences and Business
Palm Desert, California
De Anza College
Department of Environmental Studies
Cupertino, California
Diablo Valley College
Department of Science and Health
Pleasant Hill, California
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Department of Construction, Maintenance, and Utilities
Los Angeles, California
Naval Postgraduate School
Energy Academic Group
Monterey, California
Rio Hondo College
Department of Industrial, Environmental, and Transportation Technology
Whittier, California
Santa Clara University
School of Engineering
Santa Clara, California
Santa Monica College
Department of Earth Science
Santa Monica, California
Colorado
Colorado Mesa University
Davis School of Business
Grand Junction, Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado Law
Boulder, Colorado
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Department of Electrical Engineering
Denver, Colorado
University of Denver
College of Continuing and Professional Studies
Denver, Colorado
Connecticut
Tunxis Community College
Department of Technology Studies
Farmington, Connecticut
University of Connecticut
School of Law
Storrs, Connecticut
Delaware
University of Delaware
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Newark, Delaware
District of Columbia
George Washington University
School of Engineering & Applied Science
Washington, District of Columbia
Certificate in Energy Resilience
Offered Online
Florida
Florida Atlantic University
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Boca Raton, Florida
Florida Institute of Technology
Department Of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Melbourne, Florida
Florida State University
Center for Environmental Energy and Land Use Law
Tallahassee, Florida
Gulf Coast State College
Department of Business, Industry, Technology, Manufacturing
Panama City, Florida
Miami Dade College
School of Engineering, Technology and Design
Miami, Florida
Palm Beach State College
Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Lake Worth, Florida
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
Department of Industry, Manufacturing and Construction
Bradenton, Florida
University of Central Florida
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Orlando, Florida
University of South Florida-Main Campus
Department of Electrical Engineering
Tampa, Florida
Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology
School of Public Policy
Atlanta, Georgia
South Georgia Technical College
Electronics Technology
Americus, Georgia
Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa
College of Engineering
Honolulu, Hawaii
Idaho
Boise State University
Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Department
Boise, Idaho
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Department of Trades and Industry
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Idaho State University
Energy Systems Technology & Education Center
Pocatello, Idaho
Illinois
Heartland Community College
Electric Vehicle - Energy Storage (EVES) Manufacturing Training Academy
Normal, Illinois
Kankakee Community College
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Kankakee, Illinois
Lake Land College
Department of Manufacturing
Mattoon, Illinois
Northern Illinois University
Department of Engineering Technology
Dekalb, Illinois
Triton College
Department of Business and Technology
River Grove, Illinois
Indiana
Ivy Tech Community College
School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, & Applied Science
Indianapolis, Indiana
Kansas
Cloud County Community College
Renewable Energy Department
Concordia, Kansas
Kansas State University
Graduate School
Manhattan, Kansas
Wichita State University
Mechanical Engineering Department
Wichita, Kansas
Kentucky
Gateway Community and Technical College
Department of Energy Technologies
Florence, Kentucky
University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment
Lexington, Kentucky
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Maryland
Hagerstown Community College
Division of Technology & Computer Studies
Hagerstown, Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College Park, Maryland
Graduate Certificate in Engineering
Offered Online
Massachusetts
Bristol Community College
Department of Engineering Technology
Fall River, Massachusetts
Bunker Hill Community College
Department of Sustainability
Boston, Massachusetts
Middlesex Community College
Department of Liberal Arts
Bedford, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Boston, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Department of Environmental Sciences
Boston, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Lowell, Massachusetts
Michigan
Alpena Community College
Workforce Development
Alpena, Michigan
Kellogg Community College
Department of Manufacturing, Skilled Trades & Applied Technology
Battle Creek, Michigan
Lansing Community College
Department of Utility & Energy Systems
Lansing, Michigan
Lawrence Technological University
Department of Mechanical, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering
Southfield, Michigan
Macomb Community College
Department of Applied Technology
Warren, Michigan
Monroe County Community College
Department of Applied Science and Engineering Technology
Monroe, Michigan
Mott Community College
Division of Technology
Flint, Michigan
Northwestern Michigan College
Technical Division
Traverse City, Michigan
Wayne County Community College District
School of Continuing Education
Detroit, Michigan
Minnesota
Century College
Department of Solar Energy
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Solar Assessor Certificate
Offered Online
Solar Sales and Marketing Certificate
Offered Online
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Cloquet, Minnesota
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Biofuels Department
Granite Falls, Minnesota
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Department of Liberal Arts and Transfer Studies
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Missouri
Crowder College
Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology Center
Neosho, Missouri
Montana
Montana Technological University
Highlands College
Butte, Montana
The University of Montana
W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation
Missoula, Montana
Nebraska
Central Community College
Department of Skilled and Technical Sciences
Grand Island, Nebraska
Southeast Community College Area
Department of Energy Generation Operations
Lincoln, Nebraska
Nevada
Truckee Meadows Community College
Division of Technical Sciences
Reno, Nevada
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
College of Engineering
Las Vegas, Nevada
New Jersey
Raritan Valley Community College
Career Training Division
Branchburg, New Jersey
Rutgers University
Graduate School
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Stockton University
School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Galloway, New Jersey
New Mexico
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
Department of Career & Technology
Alamogordo, New Mexico
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Department of Building Construction Technology
Las Cruces, New Mexico
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Department of Engineering Technology & Surveying Engineering
Las Cruces, New Mexico
San Juan College
School of Energy
Farmington, New Mexico
Santa Fe Community College
School of Trades, Advanced Technologies and Sustainability
Santa Fe, New Mexico
New York
Clarkson University
Coulter School of Engineering
Potsdam, New York
Clinton Community College
Department of Technology
Plattsburgh, New York
Farmingdale State College
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology
Farmingdale, New York
New York Institute of Technology
Department of Energy Management
Old Westbury, New York
New York University
School of Professional Studies
New York, New York
Certificate in Clean Energy
Offered Online
North Carolina
Central Carolina Community College
Department of Sustainability Technologies
Sanford, North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Department of Architecture
Raleigh, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Charlotte, North Carolina
North Dakota
Bismarck State College
National Energy Center of Excellence
Bismarck, North Dakota
University of North Dakota
College of Engineering
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Ohio
Sinclair Community College
Department of Energy Management Technology
Dayton, Ohio
Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
College of Law
Norman, Oklahoma
University of Tulsa
College of Law
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oregon
Clackamas Community College
Department of Industrial Technology
Oregon City, Oregon
Portland State University
Department of Public Administration
Portland, Oregon
Rogue Community College
Department of Electronics Technology
Grants Pass, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Community College
Department of Applied Technology
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Clean Energy Center
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
University Park, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Kleinman Center for Energy Policy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Community College of Rhode Island
Physics & Engineering Department
Warwick, Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Kingston, Rhode Island
South Carolina
Clemson University
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Clemson, South Carolina
Certificate in Renewable Energy
Offered Online
Midlands Technical College
School of Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades
West Columbia, South Carolina
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Building and Industrial Department
Beaufort, South Carolina
South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Mining Engineering and Management Department
Rapid City, South Dakota
Texas
Austin Community College District
Engineering Technology Department
Austin, Texas
El Paso Community College
Advanced Technology Center
El Paso, Texas
Texas A & M University-College Station
Texas A&M Energy Institute
College Station, Texas
Texas Christian University
Neeley School of Business
Fort Worth, Texas
Certificate in Energy Management
Offered Online
Texas State Technical College-System
Department of Construction & Maintenance
Waco, Texas
Texas Tech University
Rawls College of Business
Lubbock, Texas
The University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering Department
Arlington, Texas
University of Houston
C.T. Bauer College of Business
Houston, Texas
Certificate in Energy Finance
Offered Online
Certificate in Energy Risk Management
Offered Online
Utah
Salt Lake Community College
Department of Workforce Training and Education
Salt Lake City, Utah
Washington
Bellingham Technical College
Department of Engineering Technology
Bellingham, Washington
Cascadia Community College
Department of Continuing Education
Bothell, Washington
Centralia College
Department of Technology, Trades, & Manufacturing
Centralia, Washington
Shoreline Community College
Department of Clean Energy Technology
Shoreline, Washington
Western Washington University
Institute for Energy Studies
Bellingham, Washington
West Virginia
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Department of Engineering
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Wisconsin
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Energy Education Center
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Madison Area Technical College
School of Engineering, Science and Mathematics
Madison, Wisconsin
Certificate in Renewable Energy
Offered Online
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Department of Energy
Green Bay, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of Engineering
Madison, Wisconsin
Wyoming
University of Wyoming
School of Energy Resources
Laramie, Wyoming