Renewable Energy, Graduate Certificate

I. Contact Information

Jill Y. Wallace, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Graduate Renewable Energy Certificate Program
College of Engineering/
jwallace@unr.edu
(775) 682-7774

II. Brief Introduction

The multidisciplinary Graduate Renewable Energy Certificate (GREC) is designed for professionals in the energy industry, including administrators, engineers, business entrepreneurs, and others impacted by new policies and practices related to renewable energy. It is also designed for people whose goal is to prepare for employment in an energy-related field. The online certificate in renewable energy covers renewable energy technologies, markets, business, and policy. 

Note: Students who are enrolled in this program solely are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

The intent of the renewable energy certificate program is to prepare students for employment and/or advancement in a renewable energy profession, including administrative, engineering and other positions whose employment is affected by new policies and practices relating to renewable energy.

The following are Student Learning Outcomes addressed in the program:

• Students will be able to describe the public policy process in relation to alternative energy development and consumption.
• Students will be able to apply basic engineering principles to alternative energy systems.
• Students will be able to describe and compare different alternative energy systems and their respective political and economic factors related to their production and consumption.   
• Students will be able to integrate the technical, economic, political, and social parameters of renewable energy to advance renewable energy development.
• Students will be able to apply their course discussions and content knowledge to communicate about renewable energy across technical and political boundaries.

IV. Admission Requirements

Application to the GREC program is a two step process:

• Step 1: Students are required to submit the following five application materials to apply to the GREC program: Renewable Energy Certificate Application, Written personal statement indicating educational and career objectives, Resume detailing professional experience, Transcript copy of Bachelor’s degree, and a Program of Studies.
• Step 2: Students apply to the university as a non-degree graduate student.

V. Program Requirements

The Graduate Renewable Energy Certificate (GREC) program is open for application to all students who hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, liberal arts or a related field.

To complete the certificate, students must successfully complete four 3-credit GREC courses, 12 credits total, with a B (3.0) or better grade point average in their four courses selected for the certificate. These four courses must be completed within two years of matriculation.

GREC students will select their four courses from one of the following tracks: engineering, business, or policy. These tracks allow students to choose an emphasis within the field of renewable energy while also allowing them to customize their renewable energy program to meet their professional and educational goals.  At the time of their application to the GREC program, students submit a Program of Studies, which asks them to select their emphasis track and four courses.

VI. Total Units (12 units)