Energy Majors: Which Should You Choose?

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Wondering which energy major is right for your goals? We’ve got you covered! Use our comparison charts to match energy degree and certificate titles with your skills & interests. Find out which engineering major is the most popular for energy professionals. Explore academic routes in energy management, policy, and law. Or dive into energy technician training programs from community & technical colleges.

Takeaways

Energy students can choose to go straight into the workforce by completing a technical or vocational program or pursuing the more academic route of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
There are all kinds of energy majors available at the bachelor’s level, including hard-core engineering concentrations. Use our charts to compare traditional offerings (e.g. renewable energy) with related majors (e.g. environmental science).
At the graduate level, you’ll discover a number of master’s programs that build on undergraduate energy majors. However, you could also consider a specialist degree in an area like energy law, energy systems, or corporate leadership.

Technical & Vocational Energy Programs

How to Become an Energy Technician

Are you thinking about entering the energy workforce immediately? Eyeing installation, maintenance, and technician jobs? Take a good hard look at undergraduate certificates and associate degrees in energy, especially Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs.

These affordable offerings will mix theoretical courses in science, engineering & energy with hands-on training and fieldwork.
They’re usually offered by technical & community colleges in your local area. Online certificates and online associate degrees in energy are also available.
These training programs can be targeted at highly specific areas (e.g. HVAC/R energy management, utilities, wind turbines, nuclear energy, biofuels, etc.).

We’ve provided a quick breakdown of popular majors & career paths below, but we recommend you do a little digging on job sites and read through company postings for technicians to learn what academic qualifications you’ll be expected to have. For many employers, you will need to have specific workplace training and industry certifications.

MAJOR	PURPOSE	ENERGY INTERESTS	SAMPLE JOBS
Building Science & Energy Management	Improve energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality in buildings; manage energy needs & usage within structures.	Energy auditing, reduction of energy consumption, sustainable construction processes, efficient building design, energy storage, LEED standards, code compliance, etc.	Energy Auditor; Facilities Manager; Construction & Building Inspector & entry-level management jobs in building & construction. May need a bachelor’s degree for supervisory positions.
Energy Systems	Get schooled in the fundamentals of energy systems, including electricity, solar/photovoltaic (PV) electrical systems, wind generation, hydrogen energy, etc.	Electrical theory, principles of energy, PV system design & installation, wind & solar power, commercial wiring, systems control, industrial safety, etc.	Entry-level positions in energy generation, transmission & distribution (e.g. Energy Technician, Power Plant Technician, etc.). May need a bachelor’s degree for managerial & supervisory positions.
Engineering Technology	Learn how to apply science & engineering concepts to practical, real-world challenges; a wide range of energy concentrations will be available.	Engineering design, electrical circuits, programmable logic control (PLC) systems, electromechanical principles, applied mechanics, LabView, etc.	Engineering Aide; Field Service Technician; Maintenance Technician. May wish to transfer credits to a four-year engineering program. Could also consider an AS in an engineering field.
Renewable Energy/Wind & Solar Technicians	Gain an in-depth knowledge of renewable energy systems, including solar power, wind power, bioenergy & energy storage technologies.	Electrical power, electrical circuits, programming fundamentals, solar photovoltaics (PV) systems, solar thermal systems, wind power delivery systems, energy efficiency, etc.	Solar Technician; Wind Turbine Technician; Energy Audit & Efficiency Technician & entry-level jobs in installation, maintenance & repair.

Undergraduate Majors in Energy Fields

How to Choose Your Energy Field

Thanks to a growing awareness of the climate crisis, four-year degrees in all kinds of energy fields are available throughout the United States. You’ll find them listed in our complete directories of on-campus bachelor’s degrees in energy and online bachelor’s degrees in energy.

At the undergraduate level, you’ll need to decide if you want to go down the engineering route or focus on “softer” majors such as energy policy, sustainability, business administration, and urban planning. Once you’ve found a few possible degrees, don’t be afraid to talk to current undergraduates to find out if they’re happy with their major.

Energy Engineering

STEM lovers, take note! Earning an undergraduate engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program can set you on the path to a fascinating career in designing, building, and analyzing energy systems and solving critical energy challenges.

Check out our directory & guide to Bachelor’s in Energy Engineering Programs for more advice on this career path.
Examine LinkedIn profiles of energy engineers and their educational background. Electrical & mechanical engineering have been popular choices in the past, but dedicated energy engineering programs are growing in number.
A BS in engineering will give you a solid start in the job market, but you should also look into the requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.

Choosing a broad-based engineering degree gives you some options to pivot in the future. However, if you already have a strong passion, you could also explore BS degrees in niche fields such as biological engineering, architectural engineering, hydropower engineering, waste energy, etc.

MAJOR	PURPOSE	ENERGY INTERESTS	SAMPLE JOBS
Energy Engineering	Earn an interdisciplinary degree that explores how many engineering disciplines—including electrical, mechanical, civil, and more—can be applied to the energy sector.	Energy production, storage, distribution & usage, renewable energy systems, fuel cells & biofuels, green building, environmental engineering, energy markets, etc.	Energy Engineer; Energy Systems Engineer; Energy Efficiency Engineer; Energy Conservation Engineer; Clean Energy Specialist; Solar Energy Specialist & related titles.
Electrical Engineering	Explore the science behind the generation & distribution of electricity and its application to equipment, devices, and systems.	Smart Grid, utilities, grid technologies, EV technologies, battery storage, photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy efficiency, power generation transmission, etc.	Electrical Engineer; Power Systems Engineer; Power Supply Engineer; Transmission Engineer; Renewable Energy Engineer & related titles.
Mechanical Engineering	Study the design, construction, installation, and operation of mechanical systems & physical machines.	Power plant components, wind turbines, power generation, transportation efficiencies, hydropower infrastructure, HVAC systems, thermodynamics, PLC systems, etc.	Mechanical Engineer; Project Engineer; Power Plant Engineer; Quality Engineer; R&D Engineer, Energy Design Engineer; Energy Efficiency Engineer & related titles.
Chemical Engineering	Become an expert in the design, production & manufacture of materials & products using chemical processes.	Energy materials, biofermentation, fuel cell engineering, biomass-derived fuels, water & air purification, waste as resources, etc.	Chemical Engineer; Process Engineer; R&D Scientist; and related titles.
Civil Engineering	Learn how to design, construct & maintain physical structures and environments that serve the general public.	Energy-efficient infrastructures, construction engineering, power plant design & maintenance, energy distribution systems, etc.	Civil Engineer; Utility Engineer; Construction Manager; Renewable Energy Engineer; and related titles.
Computer Engineering	Discover how to combine the fields of electrical engineering and computer science to develop, built & test computer hardware, software, and network systems.	Power system design & operation, Smart Grid technologies, energy efficient electronics, power reliability & monitoring, energy system data, simulations, controls & testing, etc.	Technology-related jobs in the energy sector

Energy Management

Energy management is a field that’s primarily concerned with the lifecycle of energy production & consumption and the tracking & monitoring of energy usage. In particular, energy efficiency. There is a great deal of energy being wasted in our current systems & infrastructures. Plus it’s easier to reduce the demand for energy than increase supply. That means an expert in energy management or LEED analyst can be a huge asset to an organization.

For more info on this career path, explore our guide to Bachelor’s in Energy Management Programs.

Energy Policy

If you’re not interested in energy engineering or STEM fields, you might wish to explore undergraduate programs in energy policy. This major explores how governments and businesses address the economic, environmental & social aspects of their energy use. An energy policy degree can lead to roles in government bodies, think tanks, consultancy firms, major corporations, and political organizations. It can also serve as a stepping-stone to studying energy law.

For more info on this career path, have a look at our guide to Bachelor’s in Energy Policy Programs.

Renewable Energy

Are you committed to renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy? With this undergraduate major, you have the option to focus on either the technical/engineering side of renewable energy or the business/policy side. Some schools will offer renewable energy as a concentration in an engineering major (e.g. Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.). But others have developed specific Renewable Energy Engineering programs.

For more info on this career path, peruse our guide to Bachelor’s in Renewable Energy Programs.

Sustainable Energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that can naturally renew themselves (e.g. solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, wave, etc.). But sustainable energy must meet the short-term needs of our societies without compromising the world of future generations. Renewable energy sources can be sustainable if they’re not “over-harvested.” So sustainability experts need to be adept in thinking about long-term energy strategies & policies, as well as the science that drives renewable energy systems.

For more info on this career path, skim through our guide to Bachelor’s in Sustainable Energy Programs.

Closely Related Majors for Energy Lovers

Bear in mind that you don’t have to choose a major with the word “energy” in it! Energy intersects with a large number of academic fields, including ones with hyper-specific applications (e.g. Materials Science). You may discover that your skills & passions lie in energy-adjacent realms.

MAJOR	PURPOSE	ENERGY INTERESTS	SAMPLE JOBS
Environmental Architecture	Design sustainable buildings & structures that minimize negative effects on the environment.	Sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, energy management, etc.	Environmental Architect. Learn more by visiting the USGBC section on Architects.
Environmental Science	Solve environmental problems by applying your interdisciplinary knowledge of physical, life & earth sciences.	Energy provision, energy sources, environmental policies & protections, energy consulting, sustainability, etc.	Environmental Scientist; Environmental Consultant; Environmental Policy Analyst & related titles.
Geosciences & Geology	Study the processes and the materials that shape the Earth’s surface and create its natural resources.	Energy sources, sustainability, renewable energy, energy storage, energy exploration, etc.	Geoscientist; Geologist; Mining & Petroleum Geologist; Hydrologist; Alternative Energy Specialist & related titles.
Materials Science	Research the composition, properties & applications of innovative materials used in science, engineering & manufacturing.	Engineered materials, solar cells, fuel cells, battery construction, nuclear fusion reactors, smart building materials, etc.	Materials Scientist; Research Scientist; Materials Engineer; Process Development Scientist & related titles.
Urban Planning & Development	Design, plan & transform urban environments, including buildings, transportation networks & critical infrastructures.	Energy efficiency, energy usage, energy policy, energy planning, sustainability, energy resilience, etc.	Urban Planner; Regional Planner; Town Planner; Urban Designer & related titles.

Graduate Majors in Energy Fields

How to Build on Your Education

Once you start exploring on-campus & online master’s degrees and on-campus & online PhD programs, you’ll run into the same energy majors that are offered to bachelor’s students. We’ve corralled them into separate guides so you can see—at a glance—how the coursework has progressed beyond the undergraduate level. You can also use the program listings to learn more about admissions requirements & costs.

Graduate programs in energy are often interdisciplinary, so it pays to ask some tough questions about the curriculum. Is it technical enough for your aims? Does it include industry internships & capstone projects with energy companies or government bodies? Can you speak to recent graduates? What job titles do they now have? Firsthand advice will be the most valuable for career planning.

Specialist Energy Majors at the Graduate Level

As a final soupçon, we wanted to highlight a few graduate majors in energy that don’t neatly fall into the categories above. You’ll find them nestled in our listings of on-campus and online master’s degrees.

MAJOR	PURPOSE	ENERGY INTERESTS	SAMPLE JOBS
Energy Law	Earn a JD in Energy Law to become a lawyer or build on your existing JD by pursuing an LLM.	Energy laws & regulations, climate law, environmental law & policy, pollution & waste control, renewable energy laws, land use, etc.	Energy Attorney; Energy & Infrastructure Attorney; Environmental Advisory Lawyer; FERC Energy Attorney; Public Utility Attorney & related titles.
Energy Systems	Train for leadership positions by combining advanced technical coursework in energy systems with studies in business, planning & public policy.	Energy engineering, energy system integration, power systems, Smart Grid, green transportation, energy market analysis, energy planning, etc.	Senior Energy Engineer; Energy Systems Engineer; Energy Consultant; Energy Analyst; Project Manager & related titles.
MBA in Energy	Expand on your passion for business administration & leadership by choosing a specialization in energy.	Energy markets & policy, energy economics, corporate finance, energy accounting, energy regulations, risk management, impact investing, etc.	CEO; VP of Energy; Energy Asset Manager; Risk Analyst; Director of Operations; Energy Trader & related titles.

Which Energy Major Should I Choose?