MS in Energy Policy and Climate
The MS in Energy Policy and Climate program will prepare the next generation of interdisciplinary professionals to address the challenges of climate change and a global transition to energy systems.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the science related to a changing climate, the impacts of current and future climate change on natural and human systems, the vulnerabilities of these systems to predicted changes, and a variety of possible legal, policy, and technological strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Graduates will also develop a comprehension of energy production, delivery, and consumption for both traditional systems and sustainable/renewable energy alternatives, and the implications of our energy choices for averting dangerous levels of climate change.
The program was originally designed by members of JHU’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and by industry and policy specialists. Courses are taught by distinguished instructors with valuable experience in the academic, public, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. The program seeks to build in students the technical and management skills needed to become highly competent and ethical professionals capable of leading societal responses to the challenges of a changing climate and the quest for a revolution in energy production. The curriculum is designed to help students develop an understanding of policy strategies employed at all levels, from the local to the international level, in response to these challenges. Graduates of the program will have an understanding of the current state of the U.S. response to climate change, as well as a familiarity with multilateral agreements and non-U.S.-based approaches to both mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. Additionally, students will develop expertise in energy production and policy making.
Admissions Criteria for all Advanced Academic Programs
Program Specific Requirements
In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs (see Admission Requirements), the Master of Science in Energy Policy and Climate program requires:
- One semester of undergraduate calculus and one semester of undergraduate statistics
- One semester of undergraduate chemistry or equivalent thereof
Students who do not have the necessary undergraduate training in calculus, statistics or chemistry may be offered provisional admission if their other credentials are strong. Students who are admitted provisionally due to lack of quantitative skills have the option to:
- Take appropriate courses at an accredited college/university.
- Take AS.420.301 Quantitative Methods.
- Pass a math placement test, administered by the EPC program.
Students who are admitted provisionally due to lack of training in chemistry have the option to:
- Take one semester of general chemistry at an accredited college or university.
- Take AS.420.302 Chemistry of Natural Processes.
- Pass a chemistry placement test, administered by the EPC program.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.425.601 | Principles and Applications of Energy Technology | 3 |
| AS.425.602 | Science of Climate Change and its Impact | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Climate Change Policy Analysis | ||
| Energy & Climate Finance | ||
| Introduction to Energy Law & Policy | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select five of the following: | 15 | |
| Understanding Public Attitudes for the Communication of Climate and Energy Policy | ||
| Renewable Energy and Climate Change Projects in California | ||
| Renewable Energy and Climate change Projects in Australia | ||
| Renewable Energy and Proactive Climate Change in Benelux | ||
| Transportation Policy in a Carbon-constrained World | ||
| Wind Energy: Science, Technology and Policy | ||
| Solar Energy:Science, Technology & Policy | ||
| Renewable Energy Project Development and Finance | ||
| Cities and Climate Change | ||
| Climate Change and Health | ||
| Emerging Energy Technologies and Applications | ||
| International Climate Change Policy | ||
| Adaptation to Climate Change | ||
| Principles & Applications of Energy Technology II | ||
| Global Energy Policy | ||
| US Offshore Energy: Policy, Science and Technology | ||
| Energy and Water Security in South Asia | ||
| The Electric Grid: Technology and Policy | ||
| Nuclear Energy: Technology, Policy, and Regulations | ||
| Energy and Environmental Graduate Seminar | ||
| Capstone | ||
| AS.425.800 | Research Design for Capstone Projects in Energy and Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Suggested Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Suggested Electives From Environmental Sciences and Policy | ||
| AS.420.608 | Oceanic & Atmospheric Processes | 3 |
| AS.420.651 | Environmental Risk in Decision Making | 3 |
| AS.420.654 | Environmental & Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| AS.420.656 | Environmental Impact Assessment & Decision Methods | 3 |
| AS.420.659 | Management for Environmental Results with Performance-based Measurement | 3 |
| AS.420.665 | Climate Change on the Front Lines: The Study of Adaptation in Developing Countries | 3 |
| Suggested Electives from Geographic Information Systems | ||
| AS.430.601 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 4 |
| AS.430.602 | Remote Sensing: Systems and Applications | 4 |
| Suggested Electives from Global Security Studies | ||
| AS.470.734 | Organizational Leadership and Ethics in NGO Management | 3 |
| AS.470.773 | Energy and Environmental Security | 3 |
| Electives from Other Johns Hopkins University Divisions | ||
| Financing Environmental Projects | ||
| Sustainable Development and Next-Generation Buildings | ||
MS in Energy Policy and Climate Tracks (Optional)
Students wishing to further customize their degree can focus on one of the following tracks or combine them. These are suggested elective courses to illustrate how degree customization can take place. Students should consult with their advisor for further recommendations appropriate to their career and academic goals.
Possible Course Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change Track | ||
| AS.425.615 | Understanding Public Attitudes for the Communication of Climate and Energy Policy | 3 |
| AS.425.630 | Cities and Climate Change | 3 |
| AS.425.634 | Climate Change and Health | 3 |
| AS.425.637 | International Climate Change Policy | 3 |
| AS.425.638 | Adaptation to Climate Change | 3 |
| Energy Track | ||
| AS.425.624 | Wind Energy: Science, Technology and Policy | 3 |
| AS.425.625 | Solar Energy:Science, Technology & Policy | 3 |
| AS.425.636 | Emerging Energy Technologies and Applications | 3 |
| AS.425.644 | Principles & Applications of Energy Technology II | 3 |
| AS.425.646 | US Offshore Energy: Policy, Science and Technology | 3 |
| AS.425.651 | The Electric Grid: Technology and Policy | 3 |
| Policy Track | ||
| AS.425.615 | Understanding Public Attitudes for the Communication of Climate and Energy Policy | 3 |
| AS.425.623 | Transportation Policy in a Carbon-constrained World | 3 |
| AS.425.637 | International Climate Change Policy | 3 |
| AS.425.645 | Global Energy Policy | 3 |
Program Course Work
- Four core courses
- Five electives
- Capstone project
Core Courses
The core courses introduce the relevant body of knowledge in science and policy upon which students will base their studies. Some students may have covered most of the material of one or more of the core courses in previous academic work or through pertinent work experience. Such students should consider requesting that the appropriate core course(s) be waived (see Student Special Requests).
If approved, the waived core course must then be replaced with an additional elective. The core courses can be taken in any order, although it is recommended that students begin with AS.425.601 Principles and Applications of Energy Technology. Students must complete fulfillment of the four core courses within the first seven courses in the program toward their degree.
Prerequisite Courses
Provisional students who have not fulfilled the required courses for admission are required to complete one or more of the following prerequisites:
- AS.420.301 Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
Provisional students may also take appropriate undergraduate-level courses at an accredited university or successfully pass the math assessment test to fulfill this prerequisite. Provisional students should discuss these options with their advisor. - AS.420.302 Chemistry of Natural Processes (3 credits)
Provisional students may also fulfill this prerequisite by taking one semester of general chemistry at an accredited university. Provisional students should discuss these options with their advisor.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to demonstrate:
- Understanding of the scientific principles that explain current and projected changes in climate and the role of humans in this process.
- Knowledge of the impacts of current and future climate change on natural and human systems, the vulnerabilities of these systems to predicted changes, and a variety of possible strategies for adaptation.
- Comprehension of the principles and applications of energy technologies for the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.
- Business and management skills for designing and implementing carbon constraint policies and carbon offset structures.
- Understanding of policy options being considered at the local, state, and national level, including both regulatory and market-based approaches, for addressing long-term climate change.
- Knowledge of multilateral agreements and non-U.S.-based approaches to mitigate and adapt to climate change.