Graduate programs

Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability Management

Driving global impact in the energy sector

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Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Nine to 21 months

Overview

The pressure to create environmentally sustainable business solutions has expanded well beyond the energy sector to become a priority for all companies that want to maintain growth. The STEM-designated Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability Management (MSESM), with full-time and part-time formats, is designed to equip the next generation of business managers with the skills to meet these disruptive challenges head-on. Unlike many graduate or master's energy programs, this degree combines traditional energy business foundations with emerging sustainable business practices, vastly expanding career opportunities. It provides graduates with specialized industry knowledge and hands-on learning through dedicated tracks: accounting, finance or operations.

Designed to address the world’s pressing energy challenges, the curriculum drives innovation and fosters unbiased education and world-class research. The program equips future business leaders with the skills to develop environmentally sustainable solutions, meeting the growing demand for expertise in corporate sustainability, environmental impact reporting and innovation.


A Culture that sets us apart

At SMU Cox, you’ll join a community of driven peers, alumni who open doors, expert faculty and dedicated staff who support your goals as their own. Here, when you win, we all win.

Student success

Equipping students with a powerful blend of traditional energy business fundamentals and emerging sustainability practices, graduates are positioned for high-demand careers across industries.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Energy finance and investment analysis
  • Renewable energy development and project management
  • Corporate sustainability and ESG strategy
  • Energy consulting and advisory services
  • Energy risk management and trading analytics
  • Power and utilities management
  • Environmental and energy policy analysis
  • International energy and sustainability consulting

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

$2+ trillion

The global investment in the energy transition

BloombergNEF (2026)

96%

of the world’s largest companies report on ESG and sustainability targets, KPMG (2024)

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Connect with a Graduate Admission team member for answers to application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Current resume
  2. Written essays
  3. Unofficial transcripts or degree progress reports that show cumulative GPA and grades for each course taken
  4. Official transcripts from bachelor’s degree institution, institutions where 12 or more credit hours were taken and graduate degrees are required for candidates offered admission
  5. Two references (Name and contact information only. Recommendation letters are not required nor are they requested from references)

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Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

BUSE 6228

Energy Economics and Policy

Explores the economic principles that drive energy production and consumption across various energy sources

FINA 6228

Topics in Energy Finance

Through a combination of case studies, spreadsheet models, and class discussions, students learn about energy project valuation; techniques to recognize and measure the value of real optionality in project design; link between project structure and financial performance; hedging techniques to assess and manage commodity price risk, and the major industry players and the economics driving the energy value chain.

BUSE 6226

Energy Production, Infrastructure and Technology

Provides a broad introduction to the energy sector, covering its structure, operations, technologies, and business models. Explores traditional energy sources, focusing on fossil fuels and the value chain from extraction to end use. Also examines power generation, analyzing both high- and low-carbon technologies and their impact on the power grid.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Research

Our faculty dig deep into sustainability and energy issues within their research publications. Explore some recent pieces from faculty within the energy management sphere.

Faculty

In addition to their excellence in the classroom and in the field, Cox faculty participate in national and international conferences, collaborate with scholars across the globe and inform policy debates on topics such as market design and corporate governance.

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Xavier Tison

Director of Energy Innovation, Maguire Energy Institute
Bruce Bullock

Bruce Bullock

Jane and Pat Bolin Endowed Director, Maguire Energy Institute
Lale Guler

Lale Guler

Clinical Professor
headshot of Kathleen Smits

Kathleen Smits

Professor and Fellow
Kumar Venkataraman

Kumar Venkataraman

Professor
Maguire Chair of Oil and Gas Management
Academic Director, Maguire Energy…
Ruidi Huang

Ruidi Huang

Associate Professor
Corrigan Research Professorship
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J. Douglas Hanna

Associate Professor
Greg Sommers

Greg Sommers

Clinical Professor
Director, Master of Science in Accounting Program
Mukunthan Santhanakrishnan

Mukunthan Santhanakrishnan

Clinical Professor
Director, Master of Science in Finance Program

Facilities

Students in the MS in energy and sustainability management program at Cox can collaborate with the Career Management Center.

Cox Career Management Center

From personal branding and coaching to internship or job searches, the CMC’s mission is to help students achieve their professional goals.

The Maguire Energy Institute builds industry leaders through student events, classroom presentations and career advice.

Maguire Energy Institute

A deep network of contacts provides industry leaders for student events, classroom presentations, curriculum advice and career guidance.

Frequently asked questions

As companies increasingly document their sustainability efforts and environmental footprint, the STEM-designed program provides graduates with specialized industry knowledge and hands-on learning through dedicated tracks.

With this program, you will:

  • Position yourself for success within an in-demand field by mastering key skill sets. Learn to analyze and interpret energy footprint data, develop sustainable business strategies and manage climate-related financial and disclosure risks.
  • Deep dive into an area of interest in one of three tracks: accounting, finance or operations.
  • Apply what you’ve learned and gain resume-building experience developing real business solutions for a corporate partner via a capstone project. Some of these projects could include work in green energy, environmental sustainability or renewable practices/development to name a few.
  • Explore the global energy industry first-hand with the optional Global Energy Immersion elective. Learn from executives and business leaders in countries building game-changing energy solutions based on environmental sustainability management.
  • Build a strong foundation of essential business and financial acumen that can be applied to a variety of career paths in any industry.
  • Tap into a network of energy industry experts with the Maguire Energy Institute.

This program, offered in full-time and part-time formats, consists of 32 credit hours. Each 14-week term is divided into two seven-week modules with each module course being two credit hours. Students progress through the program as a cohort, fostering collaboration and a strong professional network.

Yes. The SMU Cox Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability Management was developed to meet corporate demand, and the curriculum designed to ensure our students gain the knowledge and skills to meet energy business needs.


M.S. in Energy and Sustainability Management graduates are prepared for roles as researchers, energy or sustainability analysts, portfolio managers, environmental scientists and much more.


Many. Graduates with an M.S. in Energy and Sustainability Management can find positions in such fields as analytics, consulting, energy finance, ESG operations, NGO management and more.


Through events, on-site visits, a capstone project in collaboration with a corporate partner and much more, this degree produces well-trained leaders who are ready for careers in the energy and sustainability industry of the future.

Both. Designed to address the world’s pressing energy challenges, the program addresses public policy, physical technology and infrastructure, and business.

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