How long does it take to complete the ESTP degree?

The ESTP program takes 2 - 3 full-time semesters to complete, depending on which study option you choose. Students in the Applied Degree Programs will also be required to complete a summer internship in addition to their coursework.


When can I start the program?

All degree programs are eligible for either fall or spring start dates, with the exception of the MS AIE programs, which must start in the fall, and the ESTP Applied Study program, which must start in the spring semester.


What is the tuition and total cost to complete an ESTP MS Degree?

The current graduate tuition and fees are posted on the HUB website Graduate Tuition & Fees page. Students are billed each semester for one-half of the academic year's graduate tuition. Tuition rates are subject to change before each fall semester. 

The full cost of attendance is estimated by including activity & technology fees, transportation, off-campus housing, health insurance, etc., on the itemized College of Engineering Cost of Attendance page.

What type of jobs do ESTP graduates have?

ESTP alumni work in various positions of responsibility in many energy-related job markets, including traditional utility companies and energy suppliers, alternative and renewable energy companies, power generation and distribution equipment companies, energy-intensive manufacturing and operating companies, consulting companies, NGOs, non-profits, government, and academic institutions, and in areas all around the world. Approximately 10% of our alumni have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees.

Visit our Alumni page to learn more about EST&P graduates.


Are there opportunities for project or research work in the program?

Yes, there are project and independent study opportunities in all ESTP degrees. Depending on which program you choose, project coursework can be applied towards partial fulfillment of the Breadth Elective requirement or as part of the Energy Projects Concentration in the Advanced Study Programs.

Students typically do not have the opportunity to obtain a research or teaching assistantship; however, they may hold a part-time (<10 hours) teaching or research position that is not program or degree-related.


Must I have a specific undergraduate major to be admitted to ESTP?

Most EST&P students have an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or one of the hard sciences (e.g., Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, etc.) Exceptional students with non-engineering degrees or technical-related degrees, and/or appropriate technical work experience, will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.


Can I attend ESTP as a part-time student?

The ESTP degree was developed as a resident instruction program to be completed in two or three semesters of full-time study. However, part-time study is permitted for local US residents and, as permitted by their visa status, for non-residents. Please be advised that only a limited number of courses within the program are available in the evenings. Students taking less than 36 units during a semester will be billed at the College of Engineering per-unit part-time tuition rate.


Can I transfer in from another university?

Up to 12 units of graduate work completed at other universities, with a grade point average in each course of 3.0 or better, may be considered for transfer credit, provided that such coursework is part of a graduate program leading to the degree sought.  Transfer credit is not granted prior to admission to ESTP and must be approved after the student has satisfactorily completed at least 36 units of graduate courses at Carnegie Mellon. Transfer credit requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with special consideration given to whether the transfer credits can be applied toward the ESTP degree requirements. Approval of transfer credits to CMU is no guarantee that courses can count towards the ESTP 96-unit requirement, and transfer credits will not substitute for ESTP’s core classes.


How do I select my engineering concentration?

EST&P students most frequently choose an engineering concentration that either aligns directly with their engineering bachelor’s degree work or is related to their reasons for pursuing a master's degree.  Changing engineering disciplines from your undergraduate major is acceptable. The admission committee reviews such requests carefully to determine if the applicant has either sufficient coursework or employment experience to make such a shift realistic. ESTP students take the majority of their courses together with the graduate engineering M.S. and Ph.D. student body at CMU, and must be able to perform at that level to succeed.


Does ESTP require a Master's Thesis?

No, EST&P is a coursework-based professional master's program and does not require a thesis.