Curriculum

The Cox School of Business MSESM coursework was curated by thought leaders in the energy and sustainability space, ensuring the curriculum meets real-world needs.

Overview of the SMU Cox Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability Management

A full-time program with a fall start; students will take 32 credit hours to complete the MS in Energy and Sustainability Management.

With support through the Maguire Energy Institute, the MSESM degree aims to prepare students for global impact in the energy sector. Curriculum for the degree was designed to address the world’s energy challenges by fostering innovation and advancing unbiased education and research. Its programs produce energy and sustainability leaders who are skillfully trained and well-prepared for careers in the energy and sustainability industry of today - and tomorrow. Some highlights of the degree include:

  • Preparation for students for careers in Analytics, Consulting, Energy Finance, ESG Operations, NGO Management and more.
  • Previous events have connected students with energy and sustainability industry leaders, such as BP, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, Evercore, HF Sinclair, Kinder Morgan, McKinsey and NRG.
  • Treks and visits to plants and energy-related locations, observing first-hand what corporations are doing to mitigate risk while strengthening practices around renewable energy.
  • A complement of business courses designed to strengthen your ability to navigate energy sector environments and complex sustainability management issues.

The MSESM degree can be completed as a full-time (9-month) or part-time (21-month) program. Both the full-time and part-time programs consist of 32 credit hours; classes are held daily on campus.

The full-time program consists of two terms, split into two seven-week modules (A&B). Most courses will conclude at the end of each module, but a few courses will continue across both modules. Toward the end of their first term, students will select their desired concentration track from these options: Accounting, Finance and Operations. Working with their program advisor, students will select elective courses that support their chosen track.

Note: The tracks for the Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability were created to align with global reporting requirements for companies in the energy industry. Companies now must identify their own environmental impact and report on findings. Each track in the MSESM will prepare students to master a particular skill around these regulatory requirements.

MSESM Courses/Curriculum

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Total Credit Hours: 32

See course details

Term 1 - Fall Credit Hours: 16
Fall Module A Courses
Financial Accounting I
Energy Economics
Managerial Finance
Management Decision Analysis
Managing Your Career
Fall Module B Courses
Sustainability Reporting
Traditional Energy
Sustainable Energy
Finance Theory and Practice

Term 2 - Spring Credit Hours: 16
Spring Module A Courses

Capstone Project
Energy Finance
Sustainable Operations
Managing Your Career
One (1) Course
Spring Module B Courses

Capstone Project (continued)
Four (4) Elective Courses

Electives and Tracks

The Program allows for 3 tracks: Reporting Track, Finance Track, and Operations Track. Courses required within each track will fulfill elective requirements. Tracks are detailed below:

       
Reporting Track   

  • ACCT 6205    Strategic Cost Analysis
  • ACCT 6211    Financial Statement Analysis
  • ACCT 6209    Sustainable Reporting II
  • ACCT 62XX    Other ACCT electives

Finance Track   

  • FINA 6211    Valuation and Analysis
  • FINA 6219    Derivatives
  • FINA 6209    Sustainable Finance
  • FINA 6XXX    Other FINA electives

Operations Track   

  • ITOM 6225    Project Management
  • ITOM 6226    Operations Analytics
  • ITOM 62XX    Other ITOM electives

Additional Electives can include:  FINA 62XX--Global Energy Immersion and MNO 6232--Ethical Leadership and CSR.

Faculty: Learn from the Best

The MSESM program at SMU Cox offers an immersive and transformative experience. Beyond teaching essential skills, we connect you with faculty who actively consult for Fortune 500 companies, engage in ongoing environmental and sustainability research, publish in the energy industry's leading journals, and bring specific sector expertise to the classroom. 


Meet the Faculty

faculty headshot of Greg Sommers

Greg Sommers

Professor of Practice, Accounting

Dr. Greg Sommers began teaching Accounting at SMU Cox in 2002. Prior to that, he taught at Ohio State and Fresno Pacific University. In Fresno, Dr. Sommers gained professional experience at multiple CPA firms. Since beginning teaching, he has won multiple professor recognition awards, published papers and in textbooks, and moderates at Accounting conferences.


R. Canan Savaskan-Ebert

Associate Professor, ITOM

Canan Savaskan-Ebert, an associate professor at SMU Cox School of Business, specializes in supply chain management, reverse logistics, and quality management, with research published in top-tier journals. She holds advanced degrees from INSEAD and Bogazici University and teaches operations management and supply chain management across MBA programs while serving as an editor and referee for leading academic journals.

Kumar Venkataraman

Professor, Finance

Maguire Chair in Energy Management, and Academic Director

Kumar Venkataraman, a Finance Professor at Cox School of Business, specializes in market microstructure, financial markets, and trading strategies. A former SEC advisor, his research is widely cited by regulators. He was named a top B-School professor, holds an appointment as an economist for the FINRA, and his research is often cited in regulatory filings.

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This graduate program at SMU Cox will have its first cohort in Fall 2025, contingent upon approval by the SMU Board of Trustees.