Robert M. Zinke Energy Management Program
Program Accreditation
The Michael F. Price College of Business has been accredited since 1926 by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The college’s undergraduate business program was recently ranked ranked as #31 by Research.com's list of Best Business and Management Universities in United States.
The Energy Management Program is one of 12 programs in this area and is accredited by the American Association of Petroleum Landmen.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Program
The Robert M. Zinke Energy Management Program (formerly the Petroleum Land Management program) was established in 1958 as the first of its kind and remains the largest program in the nation. As energy companies diversify their resource management in the 21st century, the Energy Management Program continues to adjust the curriculum to meet the needs of today’s students. Energy Management’s unique focus draws from the faculty and courses of four of OU’s best academic divisions - Geosciences, Engineering, Business and Law - to create curriculum that prepares students for diverse careers in Energy at both the domestic and global levels. Students choose from a wide variety of Petroleum Engineering, Geology, Finance, Management, Legal Studies, and other courses. Graduates leave OU with the skills to succeed in many areas of the energy business, including exploration and production, land negotiations, renewables and electric utilities, energy finance, gas marketing and trading.
An Energy Management student graduates with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Advanced degrees include Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration.
Energy Management students typically have interests in:
- Energy (fossil fuels and renewables)
- Business
- Finance
- Legal Studies
- Management
- Communication
- Accounting
Students in the Energy Management Program build business acumen to become future leaders in the the energy industry. A great balance between business courses and energy-related courses help prepare students to be successful in their chosen careers in the industry.
Join the Energy Management Student Association (EMSA). This is one of the most active associations on campus.
Students choose from a wide variety of Sciences, Finance, Legal Studies, Management, Petroleum Engineering, Geology and other courses. The program also emphasizes adjunct professors in numerous classes, so the students get taught by industry experts to complement the Ph.D. and other professors in the business school.
Yes, and it is recommended. The most common and encouraged minor or second major is Finance. Our advisors are focused on planning course load to maximize the benefits and efficient class schedule to achieve the student’s goals. Today 40% of Energy Management have a declared second major.
** Study Abroad for this program is temporarily suspended due to COVID.**
Visit the Steve Dolman Family Study Abroad Office webpage to learn more about the many courses and locations available to business students. Each year, a London study abroad program offers direct exposure to energy courses and international energy companies.
The first and oldest program of its kind (1958) continues to advance the major and the student’s capabilities. Faculty and staff continue to examine the program to be responsive to ever-changing energy needs. Just as the program was recognized at the national level for its change from petroleum land management to Energy Management, the program made national headlines again when Mike McConnell was announced as its seventh director. McConnell, who brings over 35 years of industry experience including leadership positions of CEO/president of public companies, also brings his passion, knowledge and experience to the students on a daily basis. McConnell, along with his son, are graduates of the Price College Energy Management program.
- Oil and gas upstream and downstream companies
- Midstream/Pipeline companies
- Renewables/Alternative Energy
- Energy trading firms
- Commercial and Investment banks
- Utility companies
- Government agencies
Our students are hired by many top tier domestic and international companies, including: Apache, Ascent, Chesapeake Energy, Chevron, Concho, Chisolm, ConocoPhillips, BP, Bank of Oklahoma, Encana, ExxonMobil, Federal Reserve, Marathon, Noble Energy, Southwestern Energy, ONEOK, Opportune, OXY, Phillips 66, WPX, XTO, Morgan Stanley, and Duff & Phelps.
In the last two years, our graduates have taken full-time positions in the following areas: land, corporate land, business development, lease brokerage, land analyst/administration, land technology, gas marketing, project developer, financial analysis, supply chain management, auditor, and consultancy.
There are many energy executives and business leaders who are graduates of the program, and many have started and manage their own companies.
Internships are a priority to the program and our students have excellent opportunities to gain work experience primarily via internships with energy companies.Over the last three years, more than 135 summer internships placed with our students. In the last 10 years there have been 994 internships.
Supporting our energy eanagement students is a priority. EM students received over $4,000,000 in scholarships over the last 13 years, including $185,000 in 2021 alone, the highest annual amount among any other EM programs across the country. In 2022 the energy managment program awarded $179,000 to students.
Graduates from this program can make the highest salaries in the business school. Fall 2021 and Summer 2022 graduates have an average starting salary of $77,000/yr Landman positions have an average more than $90,000/yr.
