Program Overview

Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES)

The Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES) is an interdisciplinary program offered by Northwestern University. The program is administered by the university-wide Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy, while the degree is conferred by Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering.

Program Overview

The MSES program is designed for students seeking a public or private sector managerial or leadership role in the energy and/or sustainability fields. The program is unique with its one-year timing, providing strong professional training to deliver energy & sustainability solutions but limits time out of the workforce. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing on strengths from multiple schools, and is located in the Chicago area with close programmatic and physical connections to industry.

Curriculum

The rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum spans technology, finance, and public policy, combined with a student-selected specialization track. A cohort-based classroom experience is complemented by the practical application of MSES curriculum through field visits with industry and a capstone spring consulting project. World-class teaching teams comprise faculty and industry practitioners.

Curriculum Structure

• The program is designed to provide a concentrated learning experience that allows students to earn their degree in just 10 months.
• Students take four credits each quarter: three as part of a prescribed core curriculum, and the fourth for the elective specialization.
• Coursework culminates in the spring quarter with a consulting capstone project.
• Field visits to energy and sustainability facilities take place year-round.

Admission Criteria

• Applicants should have (at least) a bachelor's degree with demonstrated competence in quantitative and/or analytical expertise.
• Ideal applicants will be early/mid-career or have graduated with distinction in their field of study and have a demonstrable commitment to energy and sustainability through academic achievements, volunteer or summer work experience, student research and leadership activities, or other comparable experiences.

Application Process

• Prospective students can save their application progress and return to it at any point in the process.
• GRE scores are accepted but are not required for application.
• International applicants are required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score report.
• Applicants must score at least a 100 on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS to demonstrate language proficiency.

Career Outcomes

• MSES exposes students to industry and practitioners, yielding diverse skills across competency areas.
• Access to MSES faculty, field visits, and a capstone consulting project create a powerful professional network for graduates.
• Graduates take diverse roles, including those in renewable project development, energy and sustainability consulting, sustainable food, built environment, supply chain and corporate sustainability, public policy, and more.

Cost and Financial Aid

• The program cost is available on the Tuition page.
• Limited amounts of merit- and needs-based scholarship funding are provided by the MSES Scholars Fund.
• Information related to University and external financial aid resources is available.

International Students

• International students are welcome to apply to the program.
• International applicants have a special final deadline which is earlier than for domestic students.
• The MSES Program is STEM-OPT certified, qualifying international students to apply for a 2-year extension on their visa.

Additional Information

• The program is not suitable for someone looking to continue on to a PhD/doctoral program.
• Rather than an individual research project, the MSES Program culminates in a capstone project, where teams of students complete a 10-week consulting project for a real client in an energy or sustainability organization.