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Northwestern to Launch Master’s Program in Energy and Sustainability

EVANSTON, Ill. (September 23) - Northwestern University will offer a new Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES) degree beginning in fall 2020. Graduates of the full-time, one-year program will be prepared to navigate the complex intersection of technology, economics, and regulation in the growing industries associated with sustainability and energy innovation and leadership. MSES expands Northwestern’s internationally recognized strengths in energy sciences research to accelerate the University’s contributions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The new graduate program will leverage a unique combination of core academic expertise and professional, clinical instruction, ensuring students are at the cutting-edge of developing industry trends. Curriculum is complemented by the practical application of energy and sustainability education through field visits and a capstone spring practicum project with an industry, not-for- profit, or civic partner.

The master’s interdisciplinary focus is designed for early-to-mid industry professionals who are interested in expanding their professional skillsets and selected high achieving, recent college graduates. Each student cohort will represent diverse academic backgrounds across engineering, finance, and natural and social sciences.

The new Master’s program will be led by the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN). It builds on a decade of coursework offered by ISEN in partnership with academic departments and schools across the University, including engineering, arts and sciences, business, law, and communication. The MSES degree will be conferred by the McCormick School of Engineering.

The interdisciplinary nature of the new Master’s program is well-aligned with the core values of Northwestern says Jonathan Holloway, University Provost. “For complex, global issues like climate, environmental sustainability, and clean energy, the engagement of core, complementary University strengths will truly make this a world-class program.”

As governments and companies set increasingly aggressive carbon footprint and clean energy goals, the energy and sustainability industries are becoming a key source of employment growth in the United States. “The one-year program is designed with a student’s professional trajectory in mind,” says Bradley Sageman, professor of earth and planetary sciences and MSES Academic Director. “This master’s program fast and focused philosophy will provide critical, hands-on
professional training while minimizing time out of the workforce. These interdisciplinary skillsets are in high demand for an industry experiencing disruption and driving innovation.”

Interested individuals can find out more information at the MSES website, or by reaching out to MSES Program Director Holly Benz at Holly.Benz@northwestern.edu. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of December 15, 2019, however, applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until March 15, 2020.