The Top Energy Management MBA Online Programs

Energy management has advanced as a field of study with the advent of many alternative lines of energy production, especially with the increase of the need to find sustainable sources of energy. Traditional powerhouses in the oil and gas sector, as well as growth in alternative energies, are creating demand for talented management professionals. Obtaining an energy management MBA online teaches natural resource planning and a consideration for the future. Many reputable institutions of higher education with strong partnerships in the energy industry offer online MBA energy management programs.

The energy sector has need more qualified individuals with energy management MBAs, according to a report from CBS News. Students adept at learning about strategic resource management and global energy policies can obtain an online MBA in energy management to build a career in this growing industry.

How can I tell if an online MBA energy management degree is right for me?

Energy management students should be interested in sustainability, law and global economic policy.

Some additional traits that are common in many online MBA energy management students are:

• A capacity for getting information
• A propensity for updating and using relevant knowledge
• A capacity for analyzing data or information
• An ability for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• A skill for making decisions and solving problems

How long does it take to earn an MBA online energy management degree?

The time it takes to earn an energy management MBA degree online is comparable to the time it takes to earn other MBAs online. Two years of full time schooling is normally required to earn this degree. But, some schools have part-time or accelerated programs that give students the flexibility to finish the MBA at their own pace.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA Energy Management schools online?

Accredited online MBA energy management programs generally require students to have an undergraduate degree prior to gaining admission in the MBA program. While having a bachelor’s degree in related fields like sustainable design, sustainability, business administration, and environmental science may be ideal for those wanting to enroll in a good MBA energy management online program, it is generally not required.

The following criteria are also used by many online MBA in energy management programs in making admissions decisions including:

• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• Personal interviews
• References or Letters of Recommendation
• Work experience

What courses will I take in energy management MBA programs online?

Accredited energy management MBA schools online usually take two years to complete. Top MBA energy management online programs typically require 30 to 36 credit hours of accredited coursework, most of which is focused on core energy management studies. But in the first year of the program, the best online energy management MBA schools focus on early foundational coursework in business and accounting. Courses in global business environments are also typical at this phase of an energy management MBA online program.

In the second year, an online Master of Business Administration in Energy Management consists of classes like financing energy development, the energy economics and communication. Some MBA online energy management programs include capstone requirements that give students practical experience in handling energy management issues and developing solutions.

Students enrolled in online energy management MBA programs often do internships in order to enhance their education. Such an internship can prove helpful in that it not only gives students an opportunity to practically apply the business and energy management skills they are learning in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

What are the best online MBA in energy management books I should consider reading?

Books that might be on point for students interested in energy management MBA careers include:

1. Energy Management Handbook (Dr. Wayne C. Turner) – Currently in its fifth edition, this book is a major desk reference book for energy management professionals for more than 20 years.

2. Energy Management and Conservation Handbook (Frank Kreith; D. Yogi Goswami) – Explanations of HVAC control and design optimized for the advance of green energy technologies.

3. How to Finance Energy Management Projects: Solving the “Lack of Capital Problem” (Eric A. Woodruff; Albert Thumann) – An in-depth look at the financial practices and structure of any energy development project.

4. Managing Energy from the Top Down: Connecting Industrial Energy Efficiency to Business Performance (Christopher Russell) – This book offers a practical study of day-to-day operations in energy management and how daily decisions affect business outcomes.

5. Visions for a Sustainable Energy Future (Mark A. Gabriel) – Gabriel’s vision of our future in energy is based on expansive study into current deregulation in the energy industry and case studies on past industry issues.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue energy management MBA jobs?

The energy management MBA salary outlook is positive, as growth in alternative energy industries will spawn an increasing need for talented energy management professionals. An online Master of Business Administration in Energy Management can lead to lucrative positions within the industry, as follows:

• Management Analyst – $78,160
• Civil Engineers – $77,560
• Environmental Engineers – $78,740
• Geoscientists – $82,500

Job growth promises to be good in the fields of oil and gas management as well as alternative energy management. Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not yet track energy management job information, it indicates that geoscientist employment will increase by 21% between 2010 and 2020, faster than the national average. Attending a school with top online energy management MBA rankings will give a student a head start towards these careers.

Employers frequently favor students who have earned their degrees from AACSB accredited energy management MBA programs because accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business can serve as an indication that a business school provides a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Energy Management MBA degree?

• University of Phoenix
• Walden University
• Walden University International
• Green Mountain College