Master's in Power Systems Management Online

Master of Science
Student of WPI's Power System Management program.

WPI’s master's in Power Systems Management online combines essential topics in power systems engineering with technology-focused business courses, preparing graduates for careers in engineering management within the power industry.

Value Proposition Description

As a student in our part-time online power systems management program, you will learn to:

  • Develop expertise in distributed and renewable power generation with the current and evolving interconnection standard (IEEE 1547)
  • Analyze power flows in delivery networks—both for steady state and transients
  • Understand electro-mechanical energy conversion and power system operations and planning
  • Design power delivery networks—both transmission and distribution
  • Analyze dynamic system response to disturbances
  • Design protection and control systems
  • Evaluate design alternatives, including both technical and economic analysis
  • Lead projects using a full suite of management tools
  • Understand group and individual dynamics leading to more effective interactions
  • Identify and mitigate operational risks
  • Understand the impact of EVs on power systems

Learn from Power Industry Experts

WPI students work closely with WPI’s renowned Power Systems faculty: real-world, power industry experts who enrich the curriculum with decades of experience. 

Read the faculty biographies

On-Demand Webinar

Power Systems Info Session

View our on-demand webinar to be introduced to WPI's online graduate programs in Power Systems. Get an overview of program logistics, what online learning looks like, the application process, and more!

LIVE WEBINARS

Graduate Studies Series

Team members from Graduate & Professional Studies host quick and convenient webinars designed to highlight popular topics when starting grad school. Take a deep dive into specific areas of interest such as how to secure funding, how to ace your application, an overview of student services, and more!

Admissions Qualifications for Online Master's in Power Systems Management

Excellent candidates have an ABET accredited undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Engineers from other disciplines may be successful in Power Systems with coursework in AC Circuits and Signals as well as significant mathematics including Linear Algebra and Differential Equations.

If you do not have a bachelor's degree, please view our list of undergraduate programs.

For specific application requirements, visit our admissions for online programs page. Have additional questions? Please contact our WPI Online team to review individual situations.

The program gave me more technical background in both power and business... It's all in one package.
  • Bobby Sandler
  • Power Systems Engineer
  • Unitil Corporation

Curriculum

Program Requirements

10 courses, 30 credit hours. You will work with a faculty advisor to develop a customized and relevant plan of study selected from the courses below.

Required Courses

  • At least 12 but no more than 15 credits in ECE Power Systems Engineering courses.
  • 12 credit hours of management classes.
  • Remaining credit hours may be taken in:
    • Any graduate level course work in engineering or science
    • No more than 15 of the total degree credit hours may be in ECE Power Systems Engineering. No more than 12 credits may be in Management.

Thesis option: Currently, WPI’s online graduate programs do not offer a thesis option, as theses cannot be completed online. If you wish to pursue a thesis on campus, it is the student’s responsibility to find an advisor. Please note that depending on the project’s subject and timeframe, there might not be a faculty member willing or able to advise.

View academic term start dates for online power systems courses.

Course Schedule
FALL TERM
EARLY SPRING TERM

(January Start)

  • ECE 5500. Power System Analysis
  • ECE 5511. Transients in Power Systems
  • ECE 5520. Protection and Controls (not to be taken with ECE 5521)
  • ECE 5522. Advanced Applications in Protective Relaying
  • ECE 5531. Power System Operations and Planning
  • ECE 5540. Power Transmission
  • MA 501. Engineering Mathematics
LATE SPRING TERM

(April Start)

  • ECE 5511. Transients in Power Systems
  • ECE 5530. Power Distribution
  • ECE 5532. Distributed and Renewable Power Generation
  • SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation:  Managing Complexity

SUMMER TERM
  • ECE 5522. Advanced Applications in Protective Relaying (as needed)
BUSINESS COURSES
  • MIS 576. Project Management
  • OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making
  • OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation

For additional course offerings to satisfy your degree requirements, click here. Please note, additional business courses do not qualify for EPCE membership rate.

Course Offerings are subject to change. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact us for the most up-to-date information.

Corporate Graduate Programs in Power Systems

 Could your company benefit from a customized power systems graduate program? Learn more about our corporate graduate programs.

See all the events and webinars that the Graduate Studies team are hosting and attending.

View the Calendar




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Preview

Energy Education Program

WPI and the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) are partners in providing quality online education to the energy industry. If you work for an organization that is a member of EPCE, you receive a 10% discount on your online WPI tuition. Contact EPCE to determine if you qualify. 

Earn a Power Systems Engineering Certificate Online

Interested in gaining a foundation in key disciplines related to power systems engineering like protection and controls and power transmission? WPI’s power systems engineering certificate online is perfect for those interested in elevating their career in the power industry.

Looking to Gain Deep Technical Knowledge? Explore Our Master's of Engineering in Power Systems Engineering Online

Our master’s in power system engineering online graduate program prepares electrical engineers for professional practice in the electric utility industry. The program is a great option for experienced engineers or those who want to reshape their careers with a program composed entirely of technical power systems engineering courses.