To understand the climate and sustainable growth challenge, students must grapple with its foundational elements, complexities, and tradeoffs from every angle.
Students have the opportunity to connect with global stakeholders through participation in treks and major energy gatherings like COP, CERA Week and Climate Week NYC.
Anchored in the Chicago Curriculum on Climate and Sustainable Growth, the program trains future leaders at the intersection of climate science, energy technology, data science, economics, and public policy.
The Master of Science in Climate and Energy Policy (MSCEP) at the Harris School of Public Policy is a one-year, full-time graduate program designed to train future leaders at the intersection of climate science, energy technology, data science, economics, and public policy.
Developed in partnership with the University’s Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, the MSCEP curriculum provides students with a holistic understanding of the climate and energy challenge, rigorous training in applying data and evidence to policy design, and opportunities to learn and apply skills outside the classroom. This approach equips graduates with the analytical tools, interdisciplinary perspectives, and intellectual rigor needed to craft serious solutions.
Rigorous Curriculum, Real-World Experience
The curriculum is anchored in data science, economics and policy, and blends academic rigor with applied learning, ensuring you graduate ready to lead.
Core Coursework: Build your Foundation
Gain the analytical, scientific, and technical skills to lead in climate and energy policy from day one.
Experiential Learning: Go Beyond the Classroom
Dive into a hands-on module where you’ll explore how real communities, organizations, and governments navigate climate and energy challenges to gain an authentic understanding.
Capstone: Collaborate. Integrate. Solve.
Work on a real-world climate or energy challenge, combining you skills in policy, economics, and technology to deliver practical solutions.
Electives: Customize Your Path. Deepen Your Expertise.
Choose courses from machine learning to utility regulation to shape your focus and sharpen your skills.
Ryan Kellogg
Ralph and Mary Otis Isham Professor; Faculty Director, MSCEP
“What distinguishes the Harris MS in Climate and Energy Policy is its principled approach to social science, grounded in an understanding of the underlying science and technology. With the analytical tools and interdisciplinary base of knowledge that our professional students will gain, they will be uniquely prepared to develop and implement real-world solutions across a range of professional environments.”
Core Domains, Career Ready Skills
The program provides a 360-degree understanding of the climate and energy challenge with a strong foundation in quantitative analysis, climate science, economics, and energy policy, progressing from fundamental data skills to advanced policy applications. The curriculum is anchored in 4 core domains and blends academic rigor with applied learning, ensuring students graduate ready to develop solutions that are scientifically informed, economically sound, and politically feasible.
Data & Analytical Tools
Statistics, programming, data visualization, machine learning
Economics & Policy Analysis
Climate economics, energy markets, regulatory policy, cost-benefit analysis
Climate Science & Systems
Earth systems science, climate modeling, carbon cycle dynamics, climate attribution
To understand the climate and sustainable growth challenge, students must grapple with its foundational elements, complexities, and tradeoffs from every angle.
Students have the opportunity to connect with global stakeholders through participation in treks and major energy gatherings like COP, CERA Week and Climate Week NYC.