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Certificate in Clean Energy

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Clean Energy

The clean energy sector is booming, and the demand for skilled professionals is expected to soar alongside it. Clean energy jobs are projected to experience a significant growth by 2030 and are anticipated to outpace the average job market growth, highlighting the increasing importance of clean energy expertise in the coming years. This rapid expansion is fueled by rising concerns about climate change, the growing cost of fossil fuels, increasing demand for electricity, and a rising public interest in sustainable solutions.

If you're looking for a career with purpose and strong growth potential, the clean energy sector offers exciting opportunities to make a real difference.

NYU Clean Start Program: Pivot To and Growth Within the Clean Energy Sector

The NYU Clean Start Program, a collaborative effort by the Center for Global Affairs and the NYU Urban Future Lab, equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate this dynamic field. Our curriculum delves into the core pillars of clean energy:

  • Understanding the Clean Energy Ecosystem: Gain a comprehensive view of the players, technologies, and trends shaping the industry and explore cutting-edge advancements in renewables, energy storage, and sustainable practices.
     
  • Demystifying Policy Landscape: Navigate the complex world of clean energy regulations and incentives.
     
  • Foundations of Finance and Economics of Clean Projects: Learn to assess project viability and explore project finance and commercialization within the clean energy sector.
     
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Understand and contextualize energy data and leverage data analysis and modeling to optimize clean energy strategies.

 

Beyond the Classroom: Practical Experience and Networking

NYU Clean Start Program goes beyond theory. Our capstone course pairs you with a leading clean energy company. This hands-on project allows you to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting, build a valuable portfolio piece, and forge industry connections.

Sample Projects include:

  • Microgrid Viability: Developed metrics and performed extensive primary and secondary research to better understand the potential market demand for microgrids in New Jersey, New York, the Philippines, and South Africa
     
  • Energy Management and Bench-marking Software: Through extensive stakeholder interviews, policy research, and data analysis, the team evaluated 37 potential market locations and came up with a set of market expansion recommendations.
     
  • Community Solar Opportunities: Analyzed incentive structures and policy and economic landscape for community solar projects in New York State to develop models for analyzing pricing structures and identifying opportunities for projects.

 

In addition to virtual classroom learning, you'll gain access to a vibrant network through:

  • Virtual Networking Events: Connect with clean energy professionals and employers to explore career paths.
     
  • In-person NYC Clean Energy Network Opportunities: Attend industry events and tap into New York City's thriving clean energy community. For students who are not local to NYC, we can work with you to identify local options that may be available to you.

 

Join our Clean Energy community! Sample of Job Titles held by former students:

  • Project Manager at a City Development Corporation
  • Managing Member at a Green Bank
  • Senior Project Manager at an Energy Management Company
  • Senior Marketing Specialist for a Utility Portfolio within a Management Consulting Firm
  • Manager of Market Segmentation & Growth for a large Utility Company
  • Senior Financial Analyst at a large Utility Company
  • Regional Development Manager at a Solar Development Company
  • Strategy and Development at a Commodities Group
  • Project Developer for a Solar Development Company
  • Business Development for an Energy Data Analytics Firm
  • Director of Operations for a Clean Energy Nonprofit
  • Senior Engineer for an Energy Data Analytics Firm

Clean Energy

Format

Online

Requirements

3 courses

Estimated Total Certificate Cost

$3,747*

*Based on course prices for AY 24-25, subject to change.

Wind turbines dot an expansive yellow, grassy meadow, in front of a clear blue sky.

Why This Certificate?

Advance Your Clean Energy Career

Gain in-demand skills to succeed in the clean energy sector. Whether you're looking to transition your career or enhance existing expertise, the program offers a rigorous curriculum, valuable industry connections, and a prestigious credential that will elevate your professional trajectory.

 

Learn From Industry Experts

Courses are taught by seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the clean energy sector. Their insights and practical expertise ensure you receive both academic depth and requisite knowledge and skills foundational to a successful career in the sector.

 

Practical, Hands-On Learning

The program incorporates real-world projects and case studies, allowing you to demonstrate knowledge and skills with practical scenarios. This experiential approach ensures you can immediately implement new skills and knowledge in your current job or future roles.

 

Build Your Clean Energy Network

Students engage with industry leaders through guest lectures, and work with a clean energy company on a real-world applied project. These experiences expand your professional network, open doors to new career paths, and provide invaluable insights into the inner workings of the clean energy sector.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Certificate Specifics

The Certificate in Clean Energy prepares professionals for positions within both the private and public sectors, offering opportunities to explore topics and projects related to sustainable energy systems, finance and development of energy projects, and energy and environmental policy. 

 

The program equips students with foundation skills and knowledge to navigate the evolving clean energy landscape to pursue jobs such as:

 

  • Policy Analyst: Analyze and develop policies that promote the transition to a clean energy economy.

  • Project Manager: Manage the development and implementation of renewable energy projects.

  • Energy Finance Analyst: Evaluate and structure financing for clean energy projects, such as green bonds or impact investing.

  • Business Development Manager: Identify and develop new business opportunities in the clean energy sector.

  • Energy Data Analyst: Analyze data to identify trends and inform decision-making in the clean energy sector.

  • Clean Energy Entrepreneur: Identify a solution and grow a clean energy company.

This program, with three required courses, is offered in sequence and designed to be taken in as few as two semesters. 

 

Courses are offered virtually in a synchronous instructor-led format. Students are required to attend at least 80% of the synchronous sessions per course.

 

Courses should be taken in the following order:

  • Foundations of Clean Energy

  • Energy Analytics, Modeling, and Cleantech Finance

  • Clean Energy Capstone


Those wishing to expedite their coursework can take the first two courses within the same semester. The Clean Energy Capstone should be taken last after the completion of the other courses.

Courses are designed for working professionals. Expected time commitments vary by course and familiarity with course content but students generally report that they spend 2-5 hours per week on coursework outside of class time on average.

 

Contact sps.global.affairs@nyu.edu