Program Overview

Introduction to the Petroleum Economics and Management Program

The Mines/IFP Dual Degree program in Petroleum Economics and Management is a unique graduate program offered by the Colorado School of Mines, Division of Economics and Business in Golden, Colorado, and the IFP School in Paris. This program is designed to provide students with the economic and business skills, along with international cultural experience, required to become leaders in government and industry in the area of petroleum.

Program Overview

The program enables students to earn the equivalent of two Master of Science degrees in approximately 16 months. Students will perform half their coursework at Mines and the other half at IFP. The two distinguished degrees are:

• Masters of Science Degree in Mineral and Energy Economics at Mines
• Diplôme d'Ingénieur in Petroleum Economics and Management from IFP

Admission Requirements

Qualifications for the program include:

• The equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree with a strong academic background
• A keen interest in an international career in the public or private sector relating to the petroleum and other energy industries
• A commitment to excellence and leadership For professionals working in industry, research, or government organizations, both experience and academic background will be taken into consideration.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The program consists of 48 semester hours, with 24 hours taken at each institution. The entire program will take 16 months if started in August. The program structure is as follows:

• First semester: Third week in August to mid-December at Mines
• Second semester: First week in January to third week in April at IFP
• Third semester: First week in May to third week in July at IFP
• Fourth semester: Third week in August to mid-December at Mines

Specialization and Elective Courses

While completing coursework at Mines, non-thesis students may choose from courses within their Field of Specialization and one elective in addition to the required core courses. Most classes at IFP are considered core courses and may not be changed. Students are encouraged to choose elective courses that build upon the core and specialization classes of the program by selecting additional graduate-level courses within EB or with permission from any other academic department at Mines.

Thesis Option

A thesis option is available for IFP students but would typically require an extra semester of work. Thesis students take 2 courses in their specialization instead of 3, no electives, but are also required to complete 12 credits of thesis work.

Language Requirements

Courses at both Mines and IFP are taught in English; however, to fully maximize the educational and cultural experience, it is recommended that students prepare themselves by taking a course in French.

Transfer Credits

Only transfer credits from IFP are allowed in this program. However, students will not have to retake any core courses they have already taken if the previous course is approved by the current instructor of the relevant course and their advisor.

Financial Aid and Tuition Fees

There is a limited amount of financial aid available, which is awarded competitively. Aid is usually in the form of teaching and research assistantships and is only available while at Mines. The latest tuition and fees for Mines can be found in the program's documentation. In addition to the normal tuition and fees, the Mines/IFP program charges an additional surcharge of $1,000 per semester. Mines students have about $500 in fees each semester to pay at IFP, and IFP students have about $800 in fees to pay each semester at Mines.

Housing and Visa Requirements

For housing in Golden, it is recommended to arrive early to secure appropriate housing. On-campus housing at Mines sometimes has a waiting list. For housing in Paris, single students can usually find accommodation through IFP at rates comparable to those in Golden. Non-IFP housing is typically secured after arrival in Paris. Most students will require a student long-stay visa for France, which will be arranged through the program.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are able to work in teams in an international environment and have developed strong economic, management, and decision-making skills. Thus, they are well-positioned to become leaders in the fast-paced petroleum industry. The program's international nature and its students also provide important intercultural experiences as preparation for work in a truly global industry.