The University of Wyoming College of Business, in cooperation with UW's School of Energy Resources and College of Law, is launching two new energy-focused tracks this fall in conjunction with its full-time MBA program.
The initiative features the design and implementation of two new optional energy management degree programs:
-- MBA with an energy concentration. Available to students completing a regular 16-month, full-time MBA program -- three academic semesters, plus a professional summer experience -- with new energy-focused electives in the program's final semester.
-- MBA in energy management. Available to students completing an additional full semester of specialized coursework -- four academic semesters, plus a professional summer experience in an energy-related enterprise.
The energy-focused tracks will provide even stronger career opportunities for MBA graduates, says MBA Program Director Martin Saffer.
"The energy MBA concentration will enhance, rather than supplant, the general management MBA program," Saffer says. "This concentration option will be available to full-time MBA students as part of the curriculum during their third and final academic semester."
Both student groups will benefit from a program-long series of on-campus energy seminars to be presented by invited leaders and experts in their fields.
"We have leveraged UW's well-recognized strengths in energy research, environmental economics, environmental management, energy-related science, engineering and law," says Brent Hathaway, UW College of Business dean. "We believe energy management graduates will be highly sought after by energy producing and consuming corporations, and are likely to be long-term leaders in the energy industry."
Energy, in the context of the UW energy MBA programs, refers to traditional hydrocarbon energy businesses (coal, oil and natural gas), the power industry and alternative energy (renewables, nuclear and co-generation). The programs will address the extraction and production, processing and conversion, and marketing and delivery in each industry segment. The legal and regulatory framework surrounding these processes also will be covered.
"We believe developing and executing energy-focused MBA courses, concentrations and degrees is both strategic and timely from a variety of perspectives," says Mark Northam, UW School of Energy Resources director. "It is widely accepted that the long-term growth outlook for global energy production and consumption will be robust well into the 21st century. Most sectors of the energy industry are facing well-documented shortages of young managerial talent and are forecasting a significant shortfall in the management ranks over the coming years."
UW addressing the needs of the industry is good news, says Sinclair Oil President Peter Johnson.
"With two refineries, 1,800 independently owned service stations, a thousand miles of pipeline, exploration operations and a trucking fleet, I can tell you with great certainty that we have a need for MBA graduates with a strong understanding of the energy sector," Johnson says. "We look forward to enhancing our relationship with UW's energy MBA program from a recruiting perspective as well as through educational opportunities for our current employees."
"It makes sense that Wyoming -- a leading producer of both traditional and alternative energy -- and its university have created a program that combines energy industry expertise with excellence in business management," says David Emery, chairman, president and CEO of Black Hills Corporation and a UW College of Business Advisory Board member. "No place in the country is better positioned to be a leader in this sector."
The UW College of Business offers two MBA programs, which are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International and dedicated to preparing students for career success at an affordable price, Saffer says.
Providing quality instruction completely online, the Executive MBA Program is for professionals who need a part-time program that fits their schedules. Offering intensive classroom instruction on campus, the full-time MBA Program is for students looking to launch their career or round out their education with business experience.
"Both MBA programs concentrate on honing decision-making techniques on real business problems, developing managerial skills for successful leadership and improving interpersonal skills," Saffer says. "By the end of the program, graduates are consummate professionals equipped for success in many different business environments."
For more information, contact Saffer (307) 766-2449 or email msaffer@uwyo.edu.
A 90-second promotional video for the program is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8XEVULZv84.
