Power Engineering and the Future of Energy

The world wants more energy, but less pollution. And electric power consumers want smart grids that distribute power and communicate with homes and businesses, equipment and appliances, even electric cars as they recharge. How can you build energy infrastructure that meets so many demands? The answer is also clear: The Clarkson master’s in electrical engineering with a concentration in power engineering.

As a graduate of this power engineering program, you will be known for your solid power engineering foundation and ability to apply advanced computer, communications, electronics, control and signal processing technologies to the power industry. We instill the willingness to work hard and contribute in areas including research and development, planning, design, operations, field services and construction. Faculty and students are involved in Clarkson's Center for Sustainable Energy Systems and prepare for careers developing renewable energy technologies and sustainable energy systems.

Request Info Apply Now

Power Engineering Curriculum

Electrical Engineering MS with Power Engineering Concentration

The Power Engineering graduate program consists of 30 total graduate credits and at least six electrical engineering courses, four of which are in the power engineering area. Coursework accounts for 21-27 credits, seminar accounts for 2 credits and a project accounts for 1-7 credits.

Course Offerings

Power Area Course Offerings:  Clarkson currently has seven graduate-level electric power engineering courses that are offered regularly in the distance format.  These courses are:

  • EE 534 Market Operation of Power Systems (even spring)
  • EE 430/530 High-Voltage Techniques and Measurements (even fall)
  • EE 537 Power System Protection (even fall)
  • EE 531 Power System Planning (odd spring)
  • EE 532 Advanced Electric Machines (odd fall)
  • EE 533 Operation and Control of Electric Power Systems (odd spring)
  • EE 439/539 Dielectrics (odd fall)

The tentative semester of offerings is also included in this list. The graduate power course offerings will be updated from time to time.  However, the number of graduate power courses and frequency of their offerings will be maintained.

Courses can be selected to meet ME degree requirements, with approval of the student’s academic advisor. Examples of distance ECE courses that may be of interest to distance power students includes EE 552 Optimization Techniques in Engineering, EE 553 Linear Systems, and EE 555 Nonlinear Systems.

The Clarkson School of Business offers a number of courses of potential interest to students in the Distance Power Engineering ME program. These courses may be offered on a different schedule and in a different format than the engineering courses.  Some will be offered during the summer. Courses of interest include:

  1. OS 666  Negotiations (Prerequisites OS 608 or OS 602 waived for Professional Power Engineering ME degree candidates.)
  2. OS609  Organizational Behavior and Performance Management (requires on-campus weekend)
  3. ES510/OM680  Project Management
  4. EC605  Managerial Economics (Permission of instructor granted for Distance Power Engineering ME degree candidates)
  5. FN608  Financial Management (Permission of instructor granted for Distance Power Engineering ME degree candidates)

With approval from their advisor, students can transfer up to 10 credits from other institutions.

Double Numbered Courses: The distance offerings include certain courses appropriate for both advanced undergraduate students and graduate students. These courses carry a senior level course number as well as a graduate level course number (i.e., EE 439/539 Dielectrics). Students with credit for this course material in their undergraduate programs cannot also get graduate credit for the same topical material. However, it is important to be able to offer these courses to ME students who do not have this background. 

Students can apply to switch to the thesis based Masters of Science program if they have identified a power engineering faculty member who has agreed to advise their thesis research.

Schedule of studies. Distance course offerings will be scheduled so that students who wish to do so are able to complete the distance ME degree in power engineering in 2 years. A typical program of study could involve students taking 2 courses per semester in both fall and spring semesters of each year, a summer business course, and completing a 1 credit hour project in the summer. Students planning to complete their studies in 3 years could, for example, take 1 engineering course each fall and spring semester, a business course in each of two summers, and complete a 4 credit hour project during their final year of study.

Admissions to the Power Engineering Program

A complete application consists of the following:

  • Online Application Form
  • Resume.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation.
  • Official Transcripts.
  • GRE Test Scores.
    • Required: Waived for Clarkson undergraduate applicants; for others, waivers are issued on a case-by-case basis (may not be needed for applicants with 5+ years of work experience, graduate degrees or other practical/applied skill sets).
  • For International Applicants, an English Proficiency Test is required.
    • Minimum Test Score Requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) and Duolingo English Test (115).

Prerequisites: Students should have a BS in electrical engineering or equivalent field.

Explore Careers in Power Engineering

How a Power Engineering Student is Taking His Career to the Next Level

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact
Professor Thomas H. Ortmeyer
ortmeyer@clarkson.edu
315-268-4035

If you are ready to apply or have admissions questions contact
Graduate Admissions Team

graduate@clarkson.edu
518-631-9831