The Top Energy MBA Online Programs

As more consumers become aware of the effect that large energy and manufacturing conglomerates have on our environment, many businesses are adopting new protocols to harness cleaner energy. Now more than ever, an online Master of Business Administration in Energy presents a varied list of job prospects across many industries. An accredited energy MBA online introduces students to emerging energy technologies that businesses today are utilizing to reduce their primary dependence on oil. Additionally, online MBA energy programs prepare students to manage and globally market businesses that use renewable energy sources.

A top online Master of Business Administration in Energy will follow the progression of energy usage on a global and domestic scale. These programs highlight how different environmental factors – including the scientific recognition of global warming – have led to the development of cleaner energy systems. An online MBA in energy familiarizes students with alternative fuel sources, such as hydropower, solar power and wind energy, and details how businesses can adapt to international environmental policies to grow globally.

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

Students who are passionate about business development and management, discovering new renewable energy technologies and global energy markets should enroll in one of the top online MBA programs in energy.

Other common traits amongst many online MBA energy students include:

• A capacity for handling and moving objects
• An aptitude for getting information
• A skill for updating and using relevant knowledge
• A knack for analyzing data or information
• A capability for performing general physical activities

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

Earning an energy MBA degree online is comparable to earning any other similar degree. To complete this degree it typically requires 2 years of full-time study. However, students are able to complete the degree at their own pace at some institutions that have part-time or accelerated programs.

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

An undergraduate degree is typically required before students can gain admission to online MBA energy programs. While having an undergraduate degree in areas like physics, renewable energy, energy management, and business administration may be ideal for those wanting to enroll in a good MBA energy online program, it is generally not required.

Many online MBA in energy programs also base admission on the following criteria:

• Personal interviews
• Academic transcripts
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• Work experience

What courses will I take in energy MBA programs online?

The best energy MBA online programs dedicate the first half of their curriculum to the basics of business management and energy policy. Online energy MBA schools like Beuth University of Applied Sciences in Berlin structure their course plan so that students develop basic business fluency with courses in accounting, investment, financing, market analysis and human resource management.

From there, MBA online energy programs typically transition to courses that cover advanced energy resources and business practices, culminating in a final thesis project. Energy MBA schools online usually dedicate the second half of their program for classes on energy management and efficiency, business plan development and advanced renewable energy technologies, which give MBA energy online students the knowledge and case study data they need to complete their master’s theses and pass their oral examination.

Students enrolled in online energy MBA programs often participate in internships in order to enhance their education. Internships are valuable. Through them, students not only make valuable business contacts, but they also get an opportunity to apply what they are learning in their classes.

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

For students wanting to pursue energy MBA careers, some insightful books are:

1. Carbon War: Global Warming and the End of the Oil Era (Jeremy Leggett) – Despite the recent growth within the oil industry, this book details the inevitable global transition to solar energy and other renewable resources through interviews with scientific councils, business leaders and governmental agencies.

2. Energy Autonomy: The Economic, Social and Technological Case for Renewable Energy (Hermann Scheer) – A book that will help students identify the signs of a global transition to cleaner fuel sources while exploring the consequences of a return to nuclear power.

3. The Clean Tech Revolution: Discover the Top Trends, Technologies and Companies to Watch (Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder) – Pernick and Wilder highlight potential businesses and individual investors that could greatly profit from new innovations in fields like solar energy, water filtration, wind power and biofuels.

4. Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era (Amory Lovins and Marvin Odum) – This book could influence the prospective energy MBA salary of many students because it highlights which industries – including transportation, manufacturing and electricity – are creating more jobs to discover comprehensive energy solutions.

5. Oil 101 (Robert Downey) – An important book that gives the global push for cleaner energy some context by discussing the historical progression of oil usage and the fluctuation of markets through the years.

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

The emergence of online energy programs and the growing importance of online energy MBA rankings are dictated by the unprecedented growth of alternative fuel source cultivation and employment. There are millions of jobs in this industry across all forms of energy including oil, shale mining, biofuel and hydropower, but some of the largest growth comes from the solar and wind energy sectors where, combined, 178,000 jobs were created within the last several years. As of October 2012 the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide salary data for green jobs.  Median salaries for professionals developing new technologies for energy usage are:

• Chemical Engineers – $90,300
• Mechanical Engineers  – $78,160
• Microbiologists  – $65,920
• Electrical Engineers – $57,000

Energy-related job forecasts are strong across all forms of resource development. 500,000 new jobs were recently created in the mining, oil and natural gas industries while shale gas cultivation jobs are expected to grow to 870,000 by 2015. As stated above, solar and wind jobs are experiencing the fastest growth, but wind energy employment trails slightly because the cost per kilowatt produced by this technology is nearly twice as expensive as solar and three times as expensive as natural gas.

Many employers favor graduates who have studied from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited energy MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

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

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