Master of Energy Economics

The Master of Energy Economics (MEECON) is a 12-month, full-time professional master’s program designed to educate future leaders and strategic thinkers in the energy sector. Students develop skills to provide insightful analysis of energy markets in order to inform future market orientation, capital asset decisions, and firm strategic direction. Built upon programs in the Economics Department and the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies (CES), the Master of Energy Economics provides a new avenue for energy professionals to develop human capital relevant for business development and/or strategic planning roles.

About the Program

The Master of Energy Economics (MEECON) trains participants to provide insightful analysis and to inform such things as capital asset decisions, firm strategic direction, and future market orientation by combining the disciplined study of the market and economic principles with a deep understanding of the functioning and interconnections of the energy industry.

We are particularly proud to offer the program here in Houston, the widely recognized energy capital of the world. Our program collaborates with reputable scholars from around the country to teach program electives and impart a deeper understanding of specialized fields as well as give participants an opportunity to network and field questions directly to the experts.

More specifically, participants will:

• Learn to analyze energy markets and the micro and macro impacts of various stimuli;
• Develop quantitative skills to better utilize data to inform strategic decisions;
• Obtain insights into commercially-oriented analysis through internships;
• Gain a better understanding of the factors that contribute to dynamic and perpetually changing energy markets.

2019-2020 Current Student Profile

• Class Size: 26
• Average age: 28
• Age range: 22-47
• Average work experience: 5 years

Countries Represented: Algeria, Brazil, Canada, China, Ghana, Mexico, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Turkey, United States, Venezuela

Undergraduate Majors Represented: Accounting, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Electronic Commerce, Finance, Government and Public Relations, Industrial Engineering, Mathematical Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering

Most recent role in the energy sector: Research Analyst, Strategic Planning, Product Development, Production Engineer, Investment Advisor, Broker, Securities Analyst, Government Affairs, Investment Banking, Consultant, Project Coordinator

Professional Resources

Although the program provides assistance with career counseling, employer visits, and networking events throughout the academic year, it is the sole responsibility of each Master of Energy Economics to obtain his or her own internship and employment. All Master of Energy Economics students have full access to Rice’s Center for Career Development (CCD) and receive a one-year complimentary membership to the James A. Baker, III Institute for Public Policy Young Professional Roundtable (RYP).

Students are encouraged to begin supplementing their academic tenure with professional development opportunities and taking advantage of the multitude of resources available as soon as they matriculate at Rice. Whether students are looking for entry-level positions or for upward mobility within their current organization, successful students have found it essential to maintain a systemic approach to efficiently balance the program’s academic rigor and an effective job search.

Our School

Rice University's School of Social Sciences is a vibrant, inclusive community of scholars, students, and educators committed to connecting our teaching and research with policy for the betterment of society. We are seven departments with one mission: to tackle society's greatest challenges with an unconventional vision toward shaping a future that we can all thrive in, both individually and collectively.

Our Students

Rice University’s School of Social Sciences is located on a 300-acre forested campus in the heart of Houston, Texas. Rice University boasts the amenities and expertise of a large research university, but our modest size means true interdisciplinary collaboration and close working relationships between faculty and students.

We are renowned for our research and academics, but you’ll find that Rice is more than a place of study. It’s a diverse academic community, where our exceptional faculty takes a personal interest in your intellectual growth, the quality of your education, and your future. We inspire each other to be our best and work across traditional boundaries to increase our foundational knowledge of the world, as well as develop interdisciplinary, innovative solutions to the problems facing humanity.

Our location in Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States and one of the most diverse, means that you’ll have plenty of opportunity for interaction with industry in a hospitable city that has no shortage of things to do.

Our Faculty

Social Sciences faculty are finding evidence-based strategies and solutions to society's greatest challenges. Our faculty understand that their research has the potential to improve the lives of others through partnerships with the government, public schools, and local hospitals. Our faculty are creating opportunities for social entrepreneurship where none existed, discovering innovative approaches to reducing discrimination, and designing interventions to encourage educational opportunities for everyone. One of the many reasons students choose Rice is because of faculty who take an interest in students and enjoy teaching. Nowhere on campus is that more evident than the School of Social Sciences, where our faculty consistently exhibit their student commitment by winning teaching awards and creating a fascinating learning environment that engages students to think critically.