Energy Management Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Dec 7, 2024

Energy Management is the planning and logistics of managing an energy supply and supporting systems, including delivery and storage. With a growing population and growing energy needs at a time when there is a simultaneous need to reduce carbon emissions, management professionals are vital.

An Energy Management Graduate Certificate is designed for engineers, other STEM, and public policy graduates to enter the management of energy and energy supplies. It is a great qualification for a stable and important career with many career choices.

What Are the Online Energy Management Graduate Certificate Requirements?

When applying for an Energy Management Graduate Certificate, the schools offering the programs will expect you to meet all eligibility requirements. These will vary by school and by program, but most will ask that you fulfill the following:

A relevant bachelor's and master's degree, typically in a STEM or public policy and administration subject
A minimum GPA of 3.0. However, prestigious schools may ask for higher
Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended
Prospective students from a country where English is not the primary language will be expected to pass an accredited certification program. These include PTEA, TOEFL, and IELTS. Some also accept ELS112 and DuoLingo
Two or three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
Application fee
Personal statement supporting your application
Some schools will request an essay to answer a question about a current issue in the industry

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Energy Management Graduate Certificate Curriculum?

Energy management graduate certificate programs are made up of both elective and obligatory courses. The program in its entirety can typically be completed in just a few semesters, with part-time and full-time options available. Common course titles may include:

Fundamentals of Energy System Integration
Engineering Project Management
Economic Decision Making
Financial Management for Engineers
Fundamentals of Hydropower
Energy Storage Systems
Electrochemical Energy Storage
Power Plant Design and Analysis
Smart Grid
Wind Energy
Solar Thermal Engineering
Current Advances in Energy Engineering
Analytical Tools for Energy Management
Issues for Energy Policy
Risk Analysis and Environmental Management
Energy Markets & Policy
Introduction to Environmental Planning & Policy
Sustainable Cities
Public Finance and Public Policy
Public Economics
Energy Regulatory Law and Policy
Energy Engineering in Power Plants and Transportation Systems

What Type of Careers Can I Pursue with an Online Energy Management Graduate Certificate?

A graduate certificate in energy management opens the doors to many fulfilling careers. Popular career pathways include:

Energy Manager: You will be responsible for planning and monitoring energy use. This can be at the enterprise level or for a local area (as a government employee). You will evaluate energy use and develop policies and technologies.
Energy Engineer: With a background in engineering, you can work to design, implement, and oversee systems directly responsible for delivering or controlling energy.
Hydrographic Surveyor: You will observe and manage the properties of water. Though used primarily to plot sea lanes, you will have skills suitable for hydroelectric power management.
Sustainability Engineer: Sustainability concerns not just reducing carbon emissions but the continued delivery of energy needs. You will manage sustainable systems of energy delivery.
Energy Policy Advisor: Working with government agencies, either directly or independently, you will help government policymakers make the right choices about energy delivery and management.
Environmental Consultant: Help clients in the energy sector or government plan and manage their energy networks in line with environmental regulation and law.