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Energy is a critical component of modern society, playing a pivotal role in powering homes, businesses, and transportation systems. It is a vital element in quality of life, economic growth, and technological advancement. Energy is crucial for meeting the increasing demands of a growing global human population. However, fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, driving the disastrous consequences of a warming planet.
To avoid worst-case out-of-control climate change scenarios, the world needs to discover and deliver more sustainable energy sources to reduce GHG emissions. To meet this demand, the need for professionals with advanced knowledge in energy-related fields has never been more essential, leading to an increase in the number of master’s degree programs in energy-related disciplines.
This guide aims to provide a broad overview of master’s degrees in energy, exploring the different types of programs available and whether pursuing this degree is worth the investment. In addition, the guide also serves as a directory of all master’s degrees in energy offered at schools around the country.
Takeaways
- The energy industry is undergoing seismic changes. Now more than ever, energy experts are needed to handle advances in areas like smart grids, energy AI, energy conservation, and renewables.
- MS, MEng, MBA and LLM programs in our listings are typically geared towards students who wish to build on their undergraduate training in energy, qualify for higher paying jobs, or redirect their attentions to an energy field.
- With an average cost of $62,650, a two-year master’s degree in energy can be an expensive undertaking. Take the time to research your options before you make the leap.
The Role of Master’s Degrees in Energy
The growing global concern over climate change and the need to reduce GHG emissions is propelling the energy industry toward a dramatic transformation. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, are experiencing rapid growth and becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels.
Energy storage solutions, smart grids, and electric vehicles are emerging as key components of the evolving energy landscape. Advancements in artificial intelligence and data analytics are revolutionizing energy management and optimizing energy efficiency. Overall, the industry is moving toward a diversified and decentralized energy system that prioritizes sustainability, resilience, and decarbonization.
As the energy industry evolves, master’s programs in energy have adapted in parallel. In the past, energy programs primarily focused on traditional energy sources and conventional energy engineering. In comparison, current degree programs have expanded to encompass a broader range of disciplines, such as renewable energy technologies, energy policy and economics, energy management, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.
In general, these programs equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the diverse opportunities in the energy sector. Master in energy programs allow students to focus on specific areas of interest and understand the complexities of the energy system, enabling them to develop innovative solutions to address sustainability and energy-related issues.
Additionally, there has been a greater integration of practical experience, research opportunities, and industry partnerships to provide students with real-world exposure to the skills used when navigating the complex challenges of the evolving energy landscape.
By providing specialized training and expertise, master’s programs in energy produce professionals who can contribute to the advancement and transformation of the energy industry and play a vital role in shaping a sustainable energy future.
The Most Common Types of Energy Master’s Degrees
Master’s programs in energy differ significantly from one another, primarily depending on the technical- versus business-oriented nature of the studies. However, there are some commonalities among them.
Broadly, master’s programs in energy focus on five key areas: renewable energy, sustainable energy, engineering, energy management, and policy.
- Master in Renewable Energy: These programs are broad, ranging from the application of renewable energy to the scientific and technical aspects of energy systems, engineering and design, business and management, policy and regulation—and the practical application of these technologies in energy management, sustainability, and project management.
- Master in Sustainable Energy: These programs provide holistic knowledge and skills to develop and implement environmentally-friendly and efficient energy solutions for a more sustainable future.
- Master in Energy Engineering: This degree focuses on the specialized knowledge and technical skills required to design, optimize efficiency, and manage all energy systems, including both fossil fuel and renewable energy generation.
- Master in Energy Management: These programs offer expertise in effectively overseeing and optimizing energy projects and resources, developing energy conservation strategies, and navigating the complexities of energy policy, markets, and finance.
- Master in Energy Policy: These programs teach the policy and regulatory aspects of energy, including policy development, analysis, and implementation.
Is a Master in Energy Worth It?
In most cases, earning a graduate degree pays off with higher salary and lower unemployment. However, a master’s degree is a significant investment of time and money—with an average cost of $62,650 for a two-year program—and its impact varies dramatically from person to person.
With a growing global population and an increased focus on renewable energy to solve the impact of climate change, there is no doubt that the energy sector will continue to grow. Alas, the question of investing in your future career with a master’s degree in energy still looms.
For some people with a little bit of industry experience, gaining the specialized education of a master’s degree can provide the opportunity to get their foot in the door to a higher paying career in a new and rapidly growing industry. For others who already have a specialized degree—such as a master in engineering or an MBA—a master in energy can help redirect the focus of their career into the energy field, although it may not offer a significant salary increase from other sectors.
And finally, for those without any energy experience the investment of time and money for a degree may not move the needle of salary growth to the extent where the return on investment makes financial sense. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that two of the fastest growing occupations in the country over the next decade will be wind technicians and solar installers. While these positions do not offer the highest median salary, $56,000 and $47,000, in most cases, they also do not require a master’s degree.
Regardless of your personal situation and interest in a master’s degree in energy, it is imperative that you do ample research on the types of jobs you desire, their salary ranges, education requirements, and costs of specific master’s programs in this field before making your decision.
All Master's in Energy Degree Programs
67Schools Found
Arizona
Arizona State University
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Tempe, Arizona
California
Santa Clara University
School of Engineering
Santa Clara, California
Stanford University
Doerr School of Sustainability
Stanford, California
University of California-Berkeley
Department of Energy and Resources
Berkeley, California
University of California-Davis
Graduate Studies
Davis, California
University of San Francisco
College of Arts and Sciences
San Francisco, California
University of Southern California
Viterbi School of Engineering
Los Angeles, California
Colorado
Colorado School of Mines
Engineering Department
Golden, Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder
Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering Department
Boulder, Colorado
University of Denver
College of Continuing and Professional Studies
Denver, Colorado
Connecticut
University of Connecticut
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
Storrs, Connecticut
Yale University
Yale School of the Environment
New Haven, Connecticut
Delaware
University of Delaware
Biden School of Public Policy & Administration
Newark, Delaware
District of Columbia
George Washington University
GW Law
Washington, District of Columbia
Georgetown University
Georgetown Law
Washington, District of Columbia
Howard University
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Washington, District of Columbia
Florida
University of South Florida-Main Campus
Patel College of Global Sustainability
Tampa, Florida
Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology
School of Public Policy
Atlanta, Georgia
Illinois
Eastern Illinois University
Department of Sustainability
Charleston, Illinois
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Chicago, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering
Champaign, Illinois
Indiana
Indiana University Bloomington
O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Bloomington, Indiana
Iowa
Iowa State University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Ames, Iowa
Kentucky
University of Louisville
Speed School of Engineering
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Department of Economics
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
School of Law
New Orleans, Louisiana
Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
School of Advanced International Studies
Baltimore, Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College Park, Maryland
Massachusetts
Boston University
Department of Earth & Environment
Boston, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Boston, Massachusetts
Master of Science (MS) Energy Systems
Offered Online
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Department of Chemical Engineering
Lowell, Massachusetts
Michigan
Michigan Technological University
Department of Social Sciences
Houghton, Michigan
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
College of Engineering
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Missouri
Washington University in St Louis
McKelvey School of Engineering
Saint Louis, Missouri
Montana
Montana Technological University
Biology Department
Butte, Montana
New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth Engineering
Hanover, New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Newark, New Jersey
Rutgers University
Rutgers School of Engineering
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New York
Clarkson University
Coulter School of Engineering
Potsdam, New York
Columbia University in the City of New York
School of International and Public Affairs
New York, New York
New York Institute of Technology
Department of Energy Management
Old Westbury, New York
New York University
School of Law
New York, New York
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Department of Environmental Science
Syracuse, New York
University at Buffalo
Department of Electrical Engineering
Buffalo, New York
North Carolina
Appalachian State University
Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment
Boone, North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
College of Engineering
Raleigh, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Charlotte, North Carolina
North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Department of Energy Studies
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Ohio
University of Dayton
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dayton, Ohio
University of Toledo
College of Engineering
Toledo, Ohio
Wright State University
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Dayton, Ohio
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Watson Graduate School of Management
Stillwater, Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Price College of Business
Norman, Oklahoma
Oregon
Lewis & Clark College
College of Arts and Sciences
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Institute of Technology
Department of Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
University Park, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Environmental, Social, and GOvernance Initiative
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Villanova University
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Villanova, Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Clemson University
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Clemson, South Carolina
South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Mining Engineering and Management Department
Rapid City, South Dakota
Texas
Texas A & M University-College Station
Texas A&M Energy Institute
College Station, Texas
Master of Science in Energy
Offered Online
Texas Christian University
Neeley School of Business
Fort Worth, Texas
Texas Tech University
Graduate School
Lubbock, Texas
University of Houston
School of Law
Houston, Texas
Vermont
Vermont Law School
Institute for Energy and the Environment
South Royalton, Vermont
Master of Energy Regulation and Law
Offered Online
Master of Law (LLM) in Energy Law
Offered Online
West Virginia
West Virginia University
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Morgantown, West Virginia