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Solar Energy Engineering and Commercialization, PSM

Solar Energy Engineering and Commercialization, PSM

- INACTIVE

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Solar Energy Engineering and Commercialization, PSM

Interdisciplinary, Renewable, Solar, renewable energy, solar energy

ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Please explore Degree Search for other similar program options.


Program description
Degree awarded: PSM  Solar Energy Engineering and Commercialization

The PSM program in solar energy engineering and commercialization offers advanced, interdisciplinary education in solar energy to students with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The objective of the program is to enable graduates to pursue careers that involve solar energy and its utilization, in industry, government or the nonprofit sector.

Students in the program must select courses from technical and nontechnical tracks, including solar energy policy, spanning a number of academic programs and schools. Opportunities exist for engagement with the solar energy industry or government policymakers, leading to a required applied research project that culminates the program.

The degree program is meant to be completed in 12 months by full-time students.

At a glance
Degree requirements

30 credit hours including the required applied project course (SEC 593)

Required Core (9 credit hours)
HSD 512 Solar Energy Policy Workshop (2)
SEC 501 Solar Engineering and Commercialization I (3)
SEC 510 Solar Energy and Policy (1)
SEC 588 Solar Energy Colloquium (3)

Electives (15 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
SEC 593 Applied Project (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
Of the electives, six credit hours must be selected from the list of technical courses and six credit hours must be selected from the list of nontechnical courses. An additional three credit hours are required and can be selected from either the technical or nontechnical course list. Students should see the academic unit for the approved course lists.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a field such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts from each institution from which a degree was earned
  3. general GRE
  4. three letters of recommendation
  5. personal statement
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. Other details regarding English proficiency requirements are described on the ASU admissions website at https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate/english-proficiency.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person Rolling
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person Rolling
Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Demonstrate understanding of solar energy engineering technologies and how they apply to various applications (utility, residential, operation and maintenance, etc).
  • Effectively communicate engineering and policy aspects of the solar industry
Career opportunities

Professionals with this Professional Science Master's degree can find employment in solar energy and commercialization in the residential, commercial and utility sectors. The skills learned in this degree prepares graduates for a career as a project manager or practicing engineer.

Career examples include:

  • engineer
  • field engineer
  • field lead
  • field project manager
  • project lead
  • project manager
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
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What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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