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What Our Former Students Say:

"This is truly an interdisciplinary program that has helped me find and shape my passion for energy. Through this program, I was introduced to the real-life problems and inefficiencies of the current energy systems, which has become my motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree."

Seungyeon L., 2018 Graduate

 

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Interested in the Texas A&M Energy Institute’s academic programs? Complete this form and we will be in contact with you.

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The following is a series of frequently asked questions and answers that provide further detail on the Texas A&M Energy Institute’s Master of Science in Energy (MSE) and Certificate in Energy.

Click on a question for an answer or click Expand All to see all answers.

Costs and Funding

Estimated costs for the full academic year, including tuition, fees, program fees, and other university academic costs are listed below. This estimate covers university costs for a student’s full program completion of the Face-to-Face Master of Science in Energy for either Track 1 or Track 2, and the same costs apply whether completed Face-to-Face in College Station, Texas or Online via distance learning.

Master of Science in EnergyResident /
In-State
Non-Resident /
Out-of-State
Total Estimated Cost$30,000$40,000

Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are available for many Texas A&M students. For more information on these opportunities, visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website.

Estimated costs for the full academic year, including tuition, fees, program fees, and other university academic costs are listed below. This estimate covers university costs for a student’s full program completion of the Certificate in Energy, and the same costs apply whether completed Face-to-Face in College Station, Texas or Online via distance learning.

Certificate in EnergyResident / In-StateNon-Resident / Out-of-State
Total Estimated Cost$15,000$20,000

Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are available for many Texas A&M students. For more information on these opportunities, visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website.

The same costs apply whether the programs are completed Face-to-Face in College Station, Texas or Online via distance learning.

Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are available for many Texas A&M students. For more information on these opportunities, visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website.


Timing

The starting dates for the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) Track 1 or Track 2 and the Certificate in Energy are mid-August and early January of each year. Students choosing either the Face-to-Face in College Station, Texas or Online via distance learning methods can start the program on either start date.

The Master of Science in Energy (MSE) degree is offered in two tracks. Track 1 is with a research thesis, and Track 2 is with only course work (i.e., without research thesis). Tracks 1 and 2 take approximately 10 months to complete.

The Certificate in Energy takes a minimum of approximately 10 months to complete.


Courses and Modules

For more information on the modules and courses, visit the Curriculum and Modules page.

Each module is 1.5 weeks long and has 5 teaching days, including a total of 22.5 hours of lecture/lab material (22.5 contact hours) with 4.5 hours of lectures per teaching day. Therefore, two modules are equivalent to a semester-long course, and correspond to 3.0 credits.

Students pursuing the Master of Science in Energy are free to select from the entire set of Elective Modules to design a custom array of courses. The Texas A&M Energy Institute suggests three Elective Course Themes in the following topical areas: Resilient and Sustainable EnergyEnergy Policy and Management, and Energy Digitization.


Career Opportunities

The explosive growth of shale gas, the increased production of petroleum, and the elevated interest in renewable energy sources, represent very strong emerging markets that promise to deliver many new job opportunities in the U.S. and aim at making the U.S. energy independent. The majority of advertised positions available for industrial, government positions, as well as for academic positions are for individuals with proper energy-related background. Therefore, the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) and Certificate in Energy programs enhance educational opportunities currently unavailable to students and prepare the new class of leaders in energy.

The United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, identifies Energy as a High Growth Industry, noting that many companies prefer to hire individuals with a master’s degree for professional jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has identified careers in fields such as Wind Energy, Biofuels, Solar Power, and Geothermal Energy as growing, as the United States continues to develop sustainable sources of renewable energy. While entry into these professions can be accomplished with a bachelor’s degree, a significant number of jobs (along with opportunities for advancement) require additional education, such as a master’s or doctoral degree. 2 3 4 5

The Master of Science in Energy (MSE) and Certificate in Energy provide the interdisciplinary education that fills a gap in available educational opportunities and provide employers with employees possessing the skill sets needed.

Students are encouraged to pursue career opportunities, including internships and full-time jobs, after the completion of the 10-month Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy.

Job placement is not guaranteed, and job placements or internships are not a part of the curriculum or degree plan of either the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy.

International students on F-1 visas will not be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy. These students are encouraged to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Further information on this option is available through the Texas A&M University’s International Student Services Office.

The Master of Science in Energy offered by the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, has CIP code: 30.9999.04 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. According to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, this code is not among the codes on the 2016 STEM designated list. The majority of the courses within the Master of Science in Energy at Texas A&M University are individually designated as STEM courses, but that factor alone is not sufficient to merit a full designation as a STEM program. Therefore, students who graduate with a Master of Science in Energy are not eligible for the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT).

International students on F-1 visas will not be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy. These students are encouraged to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Further information on this option is available through the Texas A&M University’s International Student Services Office.

The Master of Science in Energy offered by the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, has CIP code: 30.9999.04 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. According to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, this code is not among the codes on the 2016 STEM designated list. The majority of the courses within the Master of Science in Energy at Texas A&M University are individually designated as STEM courses, but that factor alone is not sufficient to merit a full designation as a STEM program. Therefore, students who graduate with a Master of Science in Energy are not eligible for the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT).

International students on F-1 visas will not be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy. These students are encouraged to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Further information on this option is available through the Texas A&M University’s International Student Services Office.

The Master of Science in Energy offered by the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, has CIP code: 30.9999.04 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. According to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, this code is not among the codes on the 2016 STEM designated list. The majority of the courses within the Master of Science in Energy at Texas A&M University are individually designated as STEM courses, but that factor alone is not sufficient to merit a full designation as a STEM program. Therefore, students who graduate with a Master of Science in Energy are not eligible for the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT).


Admissions

Instructions are available at energy.tamu.edu/education/apply.

A detailed explanation of components of a complete application for academic programs is available on the Application page.

Students must have completed a bachelor’s or professional degree (or equivalent) to be able to apply for either the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy.

For further information on application components, visit the Texas A&M Graduate Application Information website.

International applicants are required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test scores.

Further information on proof of English proficiency requirements can be found on the Texas A&M University Graduate Admissions website.

GRE test scores are not required for the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy. Applications will be reviewed with or without GRE scores.

The Master of Science in Energy (MSE) program is a highly competitive program, and students from both technical and non-technical backgrounds apply. There are no specific undergraduate major requirements.

No work experience is required for successful admission into the Master of Science in Energy (MSE) or Certificate in Energy programs.

Upon receipt of completed application packets, each submission will be thoroughly reviewed.

The Master of Science in Energy offered by the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, has CIP code: 30.9999.04 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. According to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, this code is not among the codes on the 2016 STEM designated list. The majority of the courses within the Master of Science in Energy at Texas A&M University are individually designated as STEM courses, but that factor alone is not sufficient to merit a full designation as a STEM program. Therefore, students who graduate with a Master of Science in Energy are not eligible for the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT).

Apply

Find out more about application requirements and components on our Apply page.

Application Information

 

What Our Former Students Say:

"This is truly an interdisciplinary program that has helped me find and shape my passion for energy. Through this program, I was introduced to the real-life problems and inefficiencies of the current energy systems, which has become my motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree."

Seungyeon L., 2018 Graduate

 

Academic Program Interest Form

Interested in the Texas A&M Energy Institute’s academic programs? Complete this form and we will be in contact with you.

Go to Academic Program Interest Form