MSCEP - Students

Start Your Journey 

as a Climate Policy Leader

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.

Policy-First Orientation

Start with Policy. Lead with Purpose.

Policy-first Data and Economics at the Core

For informed, data-driven policy decisions.

Scientific and Technical Fluency

Bridge science and strategy.

Integrated Experiential Learning

Theory Meets Practice with a Global Perspective.

Accelerated, High-Impact Format

One Year. Lasting Impact.

Interdisciplinary Breadth, Focused Application

Climate, Policy, and Science Intersect

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Ryan Kellogg

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. We prepare students to operate at the intersection of data science, economics, and policy design—equipping them with the analytical tools, interdisciplinary perspective, and intellectual rigor needed to craft serious solutions to the global climate and energy challenge.

Ryan Kellogg

Ralph and Mary Otis Isham Professor and Deputy Dean for Academic Programs, Harris School of Public Policy; Faculty Director, MS Climate and Energy Policy

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.

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Core Coursework | Build Your Foundation

Gain the analytical, scientific, and technical skills to lead in climate and energy policy from day one.

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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.

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Capstone |  Collaborate. Integrate. Solve.

Work on a real-world climate or energy challenge, combining your skills in policy, economics, and technology to deliver practical solutions.

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Electives | Customize Your Path. Deepen Your Expertise. 

Choose courses from machine learning to utility regulation to shape your focus and sharpen your skills.

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Core Domains

Career-Ready Skills

The 11-month 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.

01

Data & Analytical Tools

Statistics, programming, data visualization, machine learning, program evaluation

02

Economics & Policy Analysis

Climate economics, energy markets, regulatory policy, cost-benefit analysis 

03

Climate Science & Systems

Earth systems science, climate modeling, carbon cycle dynamics, climate attribution

04

Energy Technology & Innovation

Grid decarbonization, electrification, carbon capture, storage, renewable integration, geoengineering, nuclear, emerging technologies

Chicago Curriculum

Recognizing both the critical nature and complexity of the climate and growth challenge, the University of Chicago formed the Chicago Curriculum on Climate and Sustainable Growth—a pioneering new approach to energy and climate education led by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth.

The unparalleled Chicago Curriculum recognizes that to understand the climate and sustainable growth challenge, students must grapple with its foundational elements, complexities, and tradeoffs using a 360-degree approach.


Learn more at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

Michael_Greenstone,_UChicago

A game change is needed in the climate fight—one that works with humanity’s aspirations for economic growth by relentlessly identifying how economics, policy, and markets can be used to pursue cheaper clean energy technologies. That’s exactly what the MSCEP is focused on addressing.” 

Michael Greenstone

Founding Faculty Director, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

Master the Tools 

of Climate and Energy Policy.

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Global Insight

University Connections

MSCEP Students have the opportunity to connect with global stakeholders through participation in treks and major climate gatherings like the United Nations’ climate conference (COP) and CERAWeek, the “Superbowl of Energy.” 

UChicago at COP

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth sends a delegation of students to the annual United Nations international climate conferences (COP).

UChicago at COP

UChicago at CERAWeek

CERAWeek is recognized as the foremost annual gathering in the energy sector, rated among the top five “corporate leader conferences” worldwide.

UChicago at CERAWeek

UChicago at Climate Week

Climate Week NYC is a world-leading global climate event, bringing  together leaders from the world of business, tech, politics, academia, and civil society.

UChicago at Climate Week

Career Development

Anchored in Community

To advance students’ career opportunities, the Harris School and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth support a wide range of opportunities to build lasting connections with alumni through a dedicated climate and energy alumni network.

Alumni Community

The alumni community provides those working in  climate-related careers with the opportunity to network with peers and become mentors to UChicago students.

The Alumni Community

Distinguished Fellows

Through several visits over the course of an academic year, Distinguished Fellows share perspectives and expertise in a series  of lectures, workshops, and public discussions, as well as serve as resources for students, faculty, and staff.

Distinguished Fellows

Climate & Energy Career Fair

The Climate & Energy career fair is an opportunity for students to learn about the various career paths they could take in the climate, energy and environmental sectors. It is also a chance for students to meet and network with prospective employers.

Climate & Energy Career Fair

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Quantitative Minds

Climate Leaders

The MSCEP is designed for individuals who are analytically minded and ready to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Whether you're already working in climate or energy and looking to deepen your policy and data skills, or you're eager to pivot into the field from another sector, this program offers a powerful launchpad.

You’re a great fit if you:

Have a strong foundation in a quantitative discipline such as economics, engineering, statistics, computer science, or the natural sciences

Are motivated by impact and want to shape practical, data-informed solutions to climate and energy challenges

Thrive in rigorous academic environments and value the precision of evidence over ideology

Seek a fast-paced, professional program that blends technical training with real-world application

Want to work across sectors—public, private, or nonprofit—to drive change

Gain Real-World Experience.

Build a Network that Lasts.

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World-Class Scholars

Real-World Impact

Learn from world-renowned scholars from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) whose research is shaping the future of climate and energy policy.  At Harris, your faculty aren’t just leading academics—they’re industry leaders tackling today’s most urgent global challenges.

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Assistant Professor

Fiona Burlig

Read Fiona Burlig's Bio

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Assistant Professor

Eyal Frank

Read Eyal Frank's Bio

michael-greenstone

Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor

Michael Greenstone

Read Michael Greenstone's Bio

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Professor

Koichiro Ito

Read Koichiro Ito's Bio

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Assistant Professor

Amir Jina

Amir Jina's Bio

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Ralph and Mary Otis Isham Professor

Ryan Kellogg

Read Ryan Kellogg's Bio

Hyuk-Soo_Kwon

Assistant Professor

Hyuk-soo Kwon

Read Hyuk-soo Kwon's Bio

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Assistant Professor

Shaoda Wang

Read Shaoda Wang's Bio

Kim-Wolske

Research Associate Professor

Kim Wolske

Read Kim Wolske's Bio

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Policy is serious work for serious people—and there are few issues more pressing than the global climate and energy challenge. The Harris MS in Climate and Energy Policy is designed to prepare students to confront it with analytical rigor, clarity of thought, and a deep sense of responsibility for shaping effective policy. Rooted in Harris’s core principles of open inquiry and respectful debate, the program equips students to lead across sectors with precision and purpose.”

ETHAN BUENO DE MESQUITA

Dean and Sydney Stein Professor,Harris School of Public Policy

Embedded in a World-Class Policy Ecosystem

As part of the Harris School of Public Policy and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, students are immersed in a professional environment shaped by the University of Chicago’s legacy of free inquiry and intellectual rigor.

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