Why Study EST&P at CMU

A Distinctive and Interdisciplinary MS Degree in Energy

Few fields have seen the magnitude of global change that energy has in the past decade, and the pace of this change shows no sign of slowing. A graduate degree in energy can bring your education in line with this changing world, and prepare you to take a leadership role in the changes to come.

The decision to pursue an MS engineering degree in energy is significant, and it can have a major influence on your career path. There are many reasons to consider a master’s degree in EST&P; you'll gain access to the world-class faculty at CMU and the resources of its Top Ten engineering college. You have opportunities to network with energy leaders and the ability to customize your interdisciplinary degree program to align with your career objectives. EST&P graduates have gone on to exciting careers in both public and private sectors, so if you are an ambitious individual with a passion for energy, this is the right choice for your graduate studies.

EST&P delivers a technical education with depth that builds upon a core energy curriculum with technical courses plus breadth options that include: policy, business, engineering and science electives. 

Please take some time to explore our website and connect with us to see if the EST&P degree programs align with your aspirations; we'll provide you with the information and details you need to guide you through the admissions process.

As you evaluate your graduate degree options, here are a few of the reasons that students choose EST&P:

An Excellent Carnegie Mellon Education

As an EST&P graduate student, you have the resources of a top 25 university in the U.S. at your disposal. Carnegie Mellon University's (CMU) selective student body of more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students pursue specialty programs that are considered among the best and brightest. EST&P is an interdisciplinary degree offered by the CMU College of Engineering, which consistently ranks among the Top 10 engineering colleges in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. At EST&P, you will be learning from some of the best in the energy field and studying together with future world leaders.

Interdisciplinary and Customizable EST&P Curriculum

We believe that effective solutions to energy problems will come from engineers and technical managers who understand the interdisciplinary challenges of energy, and who are well informed on the broad issues of energy supply, demand, storage, utilization, policy, sustainability, and the environment. As a result, the EST&P curriculum offers flexibility in breadth elective selection inside and outside the College of Engineering, in choice of disciplinary concentration, and in choice of advanced study that aligns with personal and professional objectives. EST&P graduate students collaborate and team with fellow students in a learning community embracing diversity in: engineering disciplines, energy interests, academic experiences, country of origin, prior work and internship experiences, and so on.

Opportunities with the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation

EST&P is an educational initiative of the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation; a university-wide initiative at CMU focused on “improving energy efficiency and developing new, clean, affordable and sustainable energy sources”. Students have many opportunities to attend a wide variety of energy topic seminars, and to meet and network with the many world-class experts who visit the Scott Institute. There are also project opportunities to work in collaboration with the research groups of some of the Scott Institute faculty. Further, EST&P students participate in and support the CMU Energy Week activities managed by the Scott Institute, which includes the Energy Career Fair that is co-sponsored by EST&P.

Strong Professional Development & Career Preparation

Unique to the College of Engineering, CMU has a team of Career Consultants dedicated to support the engineering graduate student population. Consultants provide job search support before and during the program, and also to the alumni. They have created a novel career service model specific to the needs of engineering master’s students. Students who are most successful in their career pursuits actively engage with their consultants and the resources available at CMU, including numerous job fairs, employer events, and energy seminars. Students also have access to a broad alumni network and numerous industry connections, you'll have a direct line to multiple career resources.

Energy Project Opportunities

EST&P graduate students have the opportunity to apply their classroom concepts to real-world energy challenges. Energy project work is one path through the Advanced Study degrees, an Energy Internship is required for Applied Study degrees, and both are optional to all students. The energy project requirement can be met by either: a regularly scheduled project intensive course and/or for exceptional students there is the possibility of working with an engineering faculty member by making a project contribution to their research group. During the summer semester some EST&P students have done projects working in cooperation with a CMU faculty member and their research group.