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Online
Bachelor of Arts degree |
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Online Bachelor of Arts degree in Energy and
Sustainability Policy:
The Online Bachelor of Arts degree in Energy and Sustainability Policy
is currently open for registration online through Penn State’s World
Campus for adult learners who seek to complete a bachelors degree but
who are not free to participate in campus-based programs. The program
will prepare students to compete for new careers tied to policy and
planning in the growing and evolving energy field. Penn State faculty
members have designed a curriculum that addresses emerging labor market
needs identified by a program Advisory Board. Graduates will be prepared
to compete for professional careers related to foreign and domestic
policy analysis, legislative or regulatory affairs, sales engineering
and post-sales account management, permitting and compliance,
purchasing, and public relations in energy-related government agencies
and non-governmental organizations, public utilities, regulatory bodies,
energy trade organizations and businesses. Graduates may also pursue
advanced study leading to careers in education, law, or business
administration.
Five Core Program Objectives
The BA in ESP emphasizes five competency areas. Graduates should be able
to:
Energy industry knowledge
* Demonstrate broad and accurate business and technical knowledge of all
major sectors of the energy industry, including conventional,
alternative/renewable, and emerging technologies.
* Recognize and correct misinformation about the energy resources on
which society depends, the prevailing and emerging new technologies,
policies and associated rules by which energy is produced and supplied,
and the environmental and human implications of energy consumption.
* Explain the requirements of private and public sources of financing of
energy ventures in light of political, legal and regulatory
considerations, tax and accounting policies, and warrantied performance
of energy technologies.
* Cite case studies to explain principles of energy and environmental
economics, including pricing of non-market values, cap and trade, and
social discounting.
Sustainability ethic
* Embody the conviction that corporate interests can be reconciled with
social and environmental interests.
* Advocate public participation in decisions whose outcomes affect
environmental justice.
* Make a business case for sustainable practices in the context of a
particular energy business or utility.
Global perspective
* Illustrate and explain the geographic distributions of various energy
resources.
* Discuss case studies that reveal how global systems of energy
production, distribution and consumption are linked with social and
environmental systems in particular places (e.g. climate change, water
scarcity).
* Document pertinent insights gained from an overseas field trip,
internship, or other relevant international experience.
Analytical skills
* Find, read, understand, interpret and synthesize evolving energy
policy and regulations.
* Understand legislative processes within state, federal and
international governments, including the roles of regulators,
non-governmental organizations and other advocacy groups.
* Prepare and critique quantitative benefit and cost analyses of
proposed and existing energy business ventures.
* Assure regulatory compliance of utilities and related entities.
* Help identify advantageous sites and routes for energy generation,
transmission and distribution.
Communication skills
* Effectively explain to diverse audiences – orally, in writing, and
through maps and other information graphics – the intended and
unintended consequences of energy policy and regulation.
* Listen to and learn from other members of diverse teams.
* Demonstrate competence in a language other than English. |
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