Penn State is offering two new graduate certificates in its energy and sustainability portfolio that can help professionals seeking to play a role in the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions.
The two new certificates are energy transition strategies (ETS) and sustainable energy development (SED), both part of the online renewable energy and sustainability systems (RESS) master’s degree program at Penn State.
The RESS program is offered by the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME) in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State and delivered online by Penn State World Campus.
Students can now earn up to three certificates while completing an RESS master’s degree.
“We see this as an exciting opportunity to continue keeping the RESS program relevant to the needs of our contemporary energy workforce, which continues to grow rapidly to meet the energy security and climate stability challenges of the near future,” said Erich Schienke, assistant teaching professor in EME and co-lead of the RESS program. “Penn State offers one of the largest energy educational portfolios in the world, and we believe these new certificates will help continue to grow that reputation and representation.”
The ETS certificate equips students with the knowledge and skills to critically articulate the technical fundamentals underlying renewable energy systems and their significance within both local and global contexts of energy transitions.
Students taking the SED certificate will conduct nuanced ethical analyses to weigh the pros and cons of various energy development pathways and develop a clear understanding of the sustainability profiles of various energy types and their environmental impacts, efficiency, and long-term viability.
“The ETS certificate curriculum is designed to foster students’ understanding of the complex interconnections within the energy-water-food nexus as well as the intricate relationships between energy, climate, environment, and natural resources,” Schienke said. “While the SED certificate focuses on developing well-informed professionals capable of leading the transition toward more sustainable energy systems, grounded in ethical principles, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.”
The two new certificates were designed to complement the existing RESS Graduate Certificates in Solar Energy and Sustainability Management and Policy.
“All of these topics are core areas of research and proficiency within the college and a big part of its mission,” Schienke said. “Looking forward, I believe these new certificates will become ever more relevant regarding the long-term sustainability of the energy industry, particularly over the next 10 to 15 years.”
The certificates are part of the portfolio of stackable credentials being offered online through Penn State World Campus. Students can combine, or stack, three of the 9- to 12-credit certifications and complete the required 3-credit capstone course to earn the master’s in RESS.
“The benefits to both students and employers for creating more identifiable pathways of skill and knowledge development are continuing to expand,” Schienke said. “Now, offering these four certificates will allow the RESS program to address these growing demands, both from our adult learners and from their employers.”
The stackable credential program is tailored to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce so students can more quickly obtain credentials that show they developed the skills to help advance their careers.
Learn more about the graduate programs in energy and sustainability offered online through Penn State World Campus.