Program Overview

Energy plays a crucial role in today’s world, yet energy production and consumption pose serious risks to the environment and international security. Decision-makers in industry, government, and environmental organizations are increasingly challenged with balancing tradeoffs among these multifaceted energy issues.

For the most part, professionals working in energy — from engineers to lawyers, researchers to business leaders — have been trained in a single specialization, whether technical, scientific, or social science. Our program offers a powerful option to add value to, but not replace, disciplinary graduate degrees.

Energy Analysis and Policy (EAP) is graduate-level certificate that can be completed by students in nearly any graduate program* at UW–Madison, usually without adding time or cost to their graduate degree program.

EAP’s interdisciplinary curriculum gives students the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders in industry, government, consulting, non-profits, and other roles in the energy field. EAP’s interdisciplinary curriculum considers scientific, technical, economic, political, and social factors that shape energy policy formulation and decision-making. It examines topics in energy resources, market structures, public utilities, technology, linkages to the environment, demand for energy services, and public policy. Every EAP student also gains experience in designing, conducting, and communicating analysis for real-world clients in the energy sector.

Since the program began in 1980, our 250+ alumni have gone on to great things, advancing energy and related fields across the U.S. and the world. Employers of our graduates include energy producers, environmental organizations, consulting companies, universities, research labs, state public service commissions, and many more.

Many of our students apply to UW–Madison specifically to be part of the EAP program, and choose a degree that best fits their career and learning goals. For MS or PhD students who want a fully interdisciplinary energy degree, the Nelson Institute’s Environment and Resources program provides complete curriculum overlap with the EAP certificate. Our students also complete degrees in the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Agriculture and Applied Economics, Urban and Regional Planning, Electrical Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering (Solar Lab) among others. Although these degrees are the most common partners to an EAP curriculum, we welcome students from nearly any graduate program* on campus.

*Some degree programs may prohibit students from enrolling in certificate programs, because the degree program’s curriculum cannot accommodate courses outside the program. Please check with your graduate advisor or coordinator to determine whether you are eligible to pursue the EAP certificate in conjunction with your degree program.