The energy challenges facing our world require solutions from every discipline. Whether you are studying business, engineering, journalism, law, or any other field, the Sustainable Energy Systems Certificate gives you the tools to shape tomorrow's solutions. This 15-credit interdisciplinary program combines core coursework in energy fundamentals and environmental systems with flexible electives that let you explore everything from carbon management to strategic communications to policy. Open to all majors, SES prepares you to bridge energy's past and future—because the real world needs graduates who understand both the technical and societal dimensions of our evolving energy landscape. Join the next generation of Oklahoma's energy leaders!
The SES certificate is a 15 credit hour multidisciplinary curriculum that draws from a range of perspectives to equip students with vital knowledge and skills needed to address complex and pressing challenges in a dynamic energy landscape. The curriculum is structured to provide a common core of fundamental knowledge, while at the same time provide the flexibility to specialize in topics of interests though elective course options.
Please note this is not a stand-alone certificate. Students must be enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral program at OU to add the certificate.
Scroll down on ou.edu/gradcollege/apply to Addition or Change of Program Application (ACOP).
The Sustainable Energy Systems program has named Heather Bedle, Ph.D., as the inaugural director.
Bedle, an expert in advanced data science and machine learning applications in seismic analysis, will lead the new program that combines fundamental coursework with flexible elective options, allowing students to specialize in areas of interest. The program integrates perspectives from a range of disciplines, including engineering, Earth sciences, social sciences, business, humanities, data science, education, law, and journalism.
The SES certificates are 15 credit hour programs with 6 credit hours of core courses and 9 credit hours of elective courses, which are selected from the approved SES elective course list. The undergraduate and graduate SES certificates are open to all majors at OU.
Course Number | Course Title | Core Domains |
|---|---|---|
| SES 2113 | Fundamentals of Earth Systems, Energy, and Sustainability | Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, and Environmental Sustainability; Fundamentals of Energy |
| SES 2123 | Energy in Society: A Systems Perspective on Energy Transitions [III-SS] | Historical, Societal, and Economic Impacts of Energy; Systems Modeling, Analysis, and Tradeoffs |
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SES 5113 | Evaluation of Sustainable Energy Systems | 3 credit hours |
| SES 5121 | Seminar in Sustainable energy Systems x 3 | 1 credit hour, repeated 3 times |
