University of Wisconsin–Madison

Master of Engineering: Sustainable Systems Engineering (Online)

solar panels
Build the skills to design cleaner, more efficient energy and infrastructure systems.UW–Madison’s online Master of Engineering in Sustainable Systems Engineering is a 30-credit graduate program for engineers who want stronger expertise in renewable energy, systems modeling, and sustainability strategy. Learn from faculty with industry experience through flexible online courses while completing the degree alongside full-time work.

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Degree awardedMaster of Engineering in Engineering
Credits30 graduate credits
Format100% Online, part-time
Duration2-4 Years (part-time)
Tuition$1,100/credit Wisconsin residents receive an automatic $100 per-credit scholarship. Learn more.
StartFall / Spring
Application DeadlinesSpring: November 1 Fall: July 1

Is This Program Right for You?

This sustainable engineering degree is designed for professionals who want to lead global change. Learn to develop and manage sustainable energy systems through coursework in science, engineering, and economics. Ideal for aspiring engineering leaders pursuing careers in sustainable technologies.
  • Learn through an interactive online format built for professionals
  • Network with peers, faculty, and industry professionals to extend learning beyond the classroom
  • Build expertise in sustainable systems engineering, energy efficiency, lifecycle assessment, and leadership
  • Prepare for roles in utilities, consulting, or as a sustainable engineer or clean energy consultant

How to ApplyRequest Info

Online by Design

Our courses blend applied activities, structured opportunities for interaction, and recorded instructor materials. This intentional design supports strong engagement, clear guidance, and meaningful results.

Why This Program?

27 years

of delivering interactive online education, reflecting deep experience designing high-quality online programs for working professionals.

#11 ranking

Online Graduate Engineering Programs U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Enhance your AI skills

with an optional 9-credit graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Data Analytics, available as part of your 30-credit program (no extra coursework needed).

Student Experience

This sustainable systems engineering program combines technical, policy, and leadership skills. You’ll explore renewable energy, energy efficiency, and systems-based thinking, essential for today’s energy and sustainability challenges.
  • Design of renewable energy systems
  • Energy efficiency in buildings and infrastructure
  • Integration of policy, engineering, and economics
  • Lifecycle and sustainability assessments
  • Climate and energy systems modeling
  • Communication and leadership for impact
  • Global trends in engineering sustainability
  • Applying systems thinking to environmental challenges
https://youtu.be/DIQz7ZMA9gE?si=cQSHPY0XYttDVVDL
“This program was set up in such a way that it would make it so easy for a working professional to take these courses. Being flexible, being able to do this from home, it was just very ideal and I was immediately attracted to it. Soon as I saw this, I just knew that I had to apply here and I’m so glad that I got in.” Lael LoRusso
 

Curriculum and Requirements

Complete 30 graduate credits, including a series of foundational and applied courses, business and professional courses and a capstone project.Live course web sessions are scheduled in the evening to accommodate working professionals. All other weekly assignments can be completed on days and times of your choice. Plan for roughly 3 to 4 hours of work per credit each week. For a 3-credit course, this usually means 9 to 12 hours, depending on the course and your professional background.
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BSE/ENVIRST 367 – Renewable Energy Systems
BSE/​ENVIRST 367 — RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS3 credits.Learn about the state-of-the-art in renewable energy applications including biomass for heat, electric power and liquid fuels as well as geo-energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power. Practice engineering calculations of power and energy availability of renewable energy sources and learn about requirements for integrating renewable energy sources into production, distribution and end-use systems.Requisites: MATH 112, 114, 217, placement into MATH 221, or graduate/professional standing
CIVENGR 723 – Energy Principles of Environmental Engineering
CIVENGR 723 — ENERGY PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING3 credits.Principles of energy applied to environmental engineering such as energy resources, sustainability concerns, work and power, thermodynamics, system and process efficiencies, energy production from waste, heat transfer, and heating and cooling of systems.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
CIVENGR 729 – Environmental Sustainability Tools
CIVENGR 729 — ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS3 credits.Environmental impact must be quantified systematically and rigorously in order to inform decision making, process improvement, and policy. Life cycle assessment will be utilized in a project-based framework to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and process across multiple environmental impact categories.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
EPD 639 – Plastics Recycling & Sustainability
EPD 639 — PLASTICS RECYCLING & SUSTAINABILITY2 credits.Examine sustainability and recycling practices for plastics and polymeric materials, including textiles. Analyze environmental impacts and plastic waste using life cycle assessment. Explore traditional and emerging recycling technologies, along with bio-based and degradable plastics. Critically evaluate media coverage to identify “greenwashing” and improve understanding of sustainability issues.Requisites: E P D 634 or 636
EPD 648 – Plastics Manufacturing & Sustainability Seminar
EPD 648 — PLASTICS MANUFACTURING & SUSTAINABILITY SEMINAR1 credits.Topics in sustainability and recycling concerns in plastics manufacturing.Requisites: E P D 634 or 636
EPD 660 – Corse Competencies of Sustainability
EPD 660 — CORE COMPETENCIES OF SUSTAINABILITY3 credits.Introduces real-world pragmatic skills and applications in sustainability competencies. Content reaches across engineering expertise, from chemical engineering to buildings to product design and energy. Modules cover ecological footprinting, lifecycle assessment, resource use and integrated engineering practice.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
GEOSCI/​ENVIRST 411 – Energy Resources
GEOSCI/​ENVIRST 411 — ENERGY RESOURCES3 credits.A critical examination of the full spectrum of renewable and nonrenewable energy options, from the unifying perspective of the Earth systems that govern their use. Energy conversion and efficiency, consumption patterns and trends, and environmental consequences of energy production and use.Requisites: Sophomore standing

CIVENGR/​GLE 535 – Wind Energy Balance-of-Plant Design
CIVENGR/​GLE 535 — WIND ENERGY BALANCE-OF-PLANT DESIGN3 credits.Wind Energy Development and Balance-of-Plant Design. Up-front coverage includes the science and mechanics of wind energy including turbine basics, wind resource assessment, energy production, and economic return. Balance-of-plant design aspects include site layout and micro-siting, foundation systems, collector systems and interconnection, site civil and electrical infrastructure, and structural tower analysis. Development includes environmental due diligence and permitting, stakeholder engagement, energy policy and markets, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE).Requisites: PHYSICS 201, 207, 247, E M A 201, graduate/professional standing, or member of Engineering Guest Students
EPD 699 – Independent Study
EPD 699 — INDEPENDENT STUDY1-3 credits.Under faculty supervision.Requisites: Consent of instructor
EPD 600 – Special Topics in Engineering Professional Development
EPD 600 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT1-3 credits.Topics vary.Requisites: None
EPD 730 – Sustainable Facilities
EPD 730 — SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES3 credits.Explore the environmental impacts of commercial and residential buildings, including energy, water, materials, transportation, waste, human health, and land use. All phases of a building’s life cycle will be considered, along with relevant case studies, benchmarking tools, public policies and emerging concepts.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
EPD 731 – Energy Efficiency in Buildings
EPD 731 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS3 credits.Core principles of energy use and efficiency in the building sector (residential, commercial, institutional buildings.) Factors that influence energy demand (design, equipment, controls, operation, maintenance). Review of engineering fundamentals of heat transfer, heating and cooling loads, psychrometrics. Topics include building envelope principles (climate, orientation, materials, massing), heating and cooling systems, ventilation & indoor air quality, plumbing & water heating, lighting & daylighting, and internal energy uses (plug loads, equipment). Zero energy building concepts, energy modeling, and energy benchmarking are also covered. Applications include existing building operation and improvement, and new building design and planning.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
GLE 401 – Special Topics in Geological Engineering
GLE 401 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING1-3 credits.Various topics in the field of geological engineering – refer to advisor for approved courses.Requisites: None
GLE 401 – Special Topics in Geological Engineering
GLE 401 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING1-3 credits.Various topics in the field of geological engineering.Requisites: None

CIVENGR 525 – Case Studies Exploring Infrastructure Sustainability
CIVENGR 525 — CASE STUDIES EXPLORING INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE3 credits.Critical evaluation of the sustainability of engineering projects, considering roles as designers, citizens, and collaborators in creating the infrastructure of the future. Consider the impact of climate change on sustainability, an urgent topic, through case studies in water supply, flood management, water quality, materials recovery and recycling, mobility, buildings and structures, and energy generation and distribution.Requisites: Junior standing and (MATH 217 or 221), graduate/professional standing, or member of Engineering Guest Students
CIVENGR 629 – Special Topics in Environmental Engineering
CIVENGR 629 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING1-3 credits.Topics vary – refer to advisor for approved courses.Requisites: None
EP 418 – Sustainable Energy Challenges & Solutions
EP 418 — SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS1 credit.Interdisciplinary survey of energy research topics. Understand how sustainable energy challenges are being studied and solved by different disciplines, from science and engineering to social sciences and humanities. Analyze energy sustainability using a multi-disciplinary, systems-based approach.Requisites: Declared in the Certificate in Engineering for Energy Sustainability or Engineering: Sustainable Systems Engineering, MEng
EPD 605 – Fundamentals of Technical Project Management
EPD 605 — FUNDAMENTALS OF TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT1 credit.Learn techniques to plan, execute, and deliver projects with desired scope on time and on budget. Document clear project objectives and goals, accurately estimate project time and costs, schedule and allocate time-critical resources, and establish feedback systems for optimal project control. Best paired with a work experience, such as an internship or co-op, where you can apply these project management skills.Requisites: Junior standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management. Not open to students with credit for E P D 612.
EPD 606 – Leading & Managing Technical Teams
EPD 606 — LEADING & MANAGING TECHNICAL TEAMS1 credit.Key team management concepts, principles, and practices. Team dynamics, team roles, leading and facilitating teamwork, and managing team conflict in the context of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)-related work.Requisites: Junior standing
EPD 611 – Engineering Economics & Management
EPD 611 – ENGINEERING ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT3 credits.Addresses principles and practices of interpreting financial information and performing engineering-related economic analyses. Focuses on the practical use of economic information for decision-making.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management
EPD 612 – Technical Project Management
EPD 612 — TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT3 credits.Learn key principles and tools of project management applicable to a broad range of engineering projects. Covers techniques for project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and project tracking, as well as the interface between projects and the organizations within which they are executed.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
EPD 616 – Engineering Law
EPD 616 — ENGINEERING LAW2 credits.Addresses important legal issues especially relevant to the practice of engineering. Gain awareness and ability to properly address patents, trade secrets, contracts, employment and non-disclosure agreements, as well as product and professional liability. Learn to avoid legal problems that often affect engineering projects and organizations.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
EPD 647 – Trends in Electrification Seminar
EPD 647 — TRENDS IN ELECTRIFICATION SEMINAR1 credit.Discussion of major trends in the automotive and transportation industry, focused on electrification for hybrids, fuel cells, and fully electric vehicles.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Powertrain Electrification
EPD 701 – Writing for Professionals
EPD 701 — WRITING FOR PROFESSIONALS1 credit.Preparation to produce effective written communication that is suitable for inter-professional and inter-disciplinary audiences in a variety of workplaces. Apply these strategies and tools.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management
EPD 702 – Professional Presentations
EPD 702 — PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS1 credit.Sharpen your ability to create, edit, review, and present information in an efficient, clear, and effective way for your audiences. Develop your presentation skills through a series of presentations related to your professional interests and work.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management
EPD 704 – Organizational Communication & Problem Solving
EPD 704 — ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION & PROBLEM SOLVING1 credit.Improve your problem solving within complex organizations, with a special emphasis on case studies and improving communication, using cross-disciplinary sources.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Foundations of Professional Development
EPD 706 – Change Management
EPD 706 — CHANGE MANAGEMENT1 credit.Provides emerging and practicing professionals foundational knowledge to develop a change management strategy and implement it using proven processes and tools. Become better prepared to deliver effective organizational performance. Applies contemporary concepts and methods in change management through student-selected projects.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Foundations of Professional Development
EPD 707 – Engineering Research & Professional Projects
EPD 707 — ENGINEERING RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS3 credits.Research question and project development; literature review techniques; qualitative and quantitative research methods; professional and technical writing standards.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management
EPD 708 – Creating Breakthrough Innovations
EPD 708 — CREATING BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATIONS1 credit.Explore innovation and how design thinking is a driver of innovation. Learn to use various design thinking methods and tools for analysis and decision-making.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Foundations of Professional Development
EPD 711 – Strategic & Ethical Communication for Engineers*
EPD 711 — STRATEGIC & ETHICAL COMMUNICATION FOR ENGINEERS3 credits.Builds communication expertise in engineering practice by emphasizing items such as clarity, audience awareness, and ethical judgment in the exchange of technical and managerial decisions and information. Treats ethics as a foundational element of effective and responsible professional communication, integrating behavioral science, ethical reasoning, and professional codes to support transparency, trust, and sound decision-making. Develops communication problem-solving for common workplace communication challenges.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing
EPD 712 – Ethics for Professionals
EPD 712 — ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONALS1 credit.Explores how our actions affect others and influence the choices we make within the workplace. Enhance ethical competencies by providing opportunities to discuss challenges to behavior and decision-making in different professional contexts.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management
EPD/​ACCTIS/​GENBUS 781 – Financial & Business Acumen
EPD/​ACCTIS/​GENBUS 781 — FINANCIAL & BUSINESS ACUMEN1 credit.This course is designed with a keen awareness for the needs of the non-financial student or professional. For this class, no previous financial training is required. The intent is to equip you with the essential concepts used to develop financial literacy. Content will cover basic financial terms and reports, analytical tools to help interpret financial data and using financial data in budgets and forecasts.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing. Not open to students declared in an MBA program
EPD/​GENBUS/​MHR 785 – Effective Negotiation Strategies
EPD/​GENBUS/​MHR 785 — EFFECTIVE NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES1 credit.Improves students’ negotiating skills, doing so by providing a theoretical underpinning that will help them to understand the sources of effective and ineffective approaches to negotiations.Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in graduate Business Exchange program
*Students cannot apply both E P D 711 and E P D 712 to satisfy requirements.

EPD 669 – Sustainable Systems Engineering Capstone
EPD 669 — SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CAPSTONE3 credits.Provides the opportunity to demonstrate ability to think globally, sustainably, and creatively. Gain real-world experience by applying theory, tools, and research to conceptualize, analyze, and design a solution to a real-world problem within a social and environmental context. Showcase the knowledge and analytical skills acquired, and integrate tools, science, and communication to address a community or industry need. Work with an industry mentor and customer throughout your project.Requisites: Consent of instructor

View full course descriptions

Tuition and Financial Aid

$1,100 per credit, payable at the beginning of each semester. Wisconsin residents receive an automatic $100 per-credit scholarship.* Students are responsible for paying their tuition bill in full by the due date. The scholarship is credited to their student account after the semester’s drop deadline and before the start of the next semester. There is no lump-sum payment plan.*Wisconsin resident tuition scholarship does not apply to students with tuition waivers.See Tuition & Fees for more information.
Employer Support Many students receive some financial support from their employers. Often, students find it beneficial to sit down with their employer and discuss how this program applies to their current and future responsibilities. Other key points to discuss include how participation will not interrupt your work schedule.Federal Loans Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to receive some level of funding through the Federal Direct loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least four credits during the fall and spring semesters, and two credits during Summer. Private loans are also available. Learn more about financial aid.

Admissions and Events

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All applicants must:
  • Have a Bachelor of Science in engineering or a related STEM field from an accredited institution.
  • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours of coursework.
  • Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. See the Graduate School Requirements for more information.
  • GRE is not required. Applicants who have taken the test are encouraged to submit their scores.
The admissions committee considers exceptions to standard requirements on an individual basis.

For complete application details visit UW–Madison’s Guide 

Application Deadlines by Term:

Fall 2026July 1, 2026
Spring 2027November 1, 2026
Online Graduate Programs Overview Tuesday, September 8, 2026 5-5:30 PM CTJoin program staff for a conversation about our online graduate programs, including curriculum, application process and career impact.Register Now
Program Overview: Sustainable Systems Engineering MEng Tuesday, September 29, 2026 12-12:30 PM CTJoin Program Director Joy Altwies to get more information about the Sustainable Systems Engineering Master’s Program including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.Register Now
Online Graduate Programs Overview Tuesday, October 13, 2026 12-12:30 PM CTJoin program staff for a conversation about our online graduate programs, including curriculum, application process and career impact.Register Now
Watch anytime on YouTube:Program Overview: Sustainable Systems Engineering Program Director Joy Altwies gives an overview of the master’s degree in Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE), including course options, degree structure, and requirements. Make sure to watch till the end to get a special offer!

Faculty and Staff

Joy Altwies Program Director

Joy Altwies, Program Director of the Master of Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) Email Joy

Karene Cary Graduate Student Advisor

Email Karene

Andrea Hicks, PhD
Najoua Jouini, PhD
James M. Tinjum, PE, PhD
Scott Williams

FAQ

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A: Yes. The MEng in Sustainable Systems Engineering is 100% online and designed for working professionals.

A: Most students finish in about two to four years while working full time, typically taking 1 to 2 courses per semester.

A: Tuition is charged per credit. See Tuition & Fees for more information.

A: Yes. Courses are designed for part-time study alongside a full-time job.

A: No. The diploma awarded is a UW–Madison graduate degree and does not reference online delivery. Courses are taught and assessed under the same academic standards used across UW–Madison graduate programs. The mode of instruction does not change the credential earned.

A: Submit your application through the Graduate School. See Admissions for details or click here.

Ready to lead with confidence? Advance your career with UW–Madison’s online MEng in Sustainable Systems Engineering.

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