The RESS professional master's program (MPS-RESS) is an online, interdisciplinary master's degree program designed to prepare professionals in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability systems to lead the world's transformation from an unsustainable, fossil energy economy to a renewable, sustainable basis of operation. For example, attaining an ambitious national goal of 25% of energy from renewable resources by the year 2025 in the U.S. requires a tremendous increase in renewable energy production and use in ways that are sustainable, environmentally sound, and reliable. The MPS-RESS program is designed to address the critical need for professionals with relevant expertise in renewable energy and sustainability systems.
The program provides broad coverage of topics related to renewable energy and sustainability systems while providing in-depth coverage of related technologies and policies. Students are required to follow a focused curriculum that combines requisite rigor with flexibility appropriate to a rapidly changing field. Students take a number of core program courses that provide an in-depth understanding of the sustainability framework relevant to energy and sustainability systems and, in consultation with their program adviser, select additional courses from a broad array of electives designed to meet their individual learning goals. While not required to do so, students may choose from one of two program tracks: one which provides specialized technical instruction in various aspects of renewable energy systems while the other focuses on sustainability management and policy. A comprehensive Scholarship and Academic Research Integrity (SARI) plan embeds ethics and integrity training both at the start and at the end of the master's program. A capstone course or capstone research experience with an EME faculty member is required of all students that serves to aggregate the material learned and provide a summative educational experience within the framework of a semester long group-based project.