Electric power engineering (PSM)

large dam with water coming through spillway

Apply by

Fall: July 1
Spring: November 15

Class begins

Fall: August 19
Spring: January 13

Degree Awarded

Professional Science Master’s
in Electrical Power Engineering

Enhance Your Skills. Energize Your Career.

WSU’s Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Electric Power Engineering combines advanced technical courses with professional management training to help students achieve high-paying employment.

Request electric power engineering PSM information

An innovative and relatively new type of degree program, a Professional Science Master’s, or PSM, trains students in an advanced scientific field while also teaching them the skills to be leaders and managers in a professional environment.

Icon: Electric Power Engineering.

What You’ll Learn

Graduates will gain both an in-depth knowledge of electric power engineering and the managerial skills needed to advance in the industry. Required technical courses cover power systems analysis, power system economics and electricity markets as well as transmission and distribution. Electives are available in the performance of power systems, power electronics, power system protection and high-voltage engineering. Business courses range from law to finance to project management.

The 30-credit program also includes an industry-based internship project, designed to provide you with real-world experience and valuable networking connections. This, plus the combination of core technical and business courses with flexible electives, means you will be uniquely qualified to meet the increasing demand for power engineering leaders with both technical skills and professional management training.

WSU Electric Power Engineering Program Strengths

WSU’s power engineering faculty includes recognized experts in all areas of power engineering, including a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and four faculty members who are fellows of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers.
PSMs are respected degrees that are highly valued by employers looking for skilled scientists who can also function as leaders and managers in their organization.

Photo: Wind turbines generating renewable energy.

Get Started

To apply for the program, you’ll need a BS degree in electrical engineering or the equivalent. Visit Admission Requirements. More information is on the WSU Graduate School website. Please note that the priority deadlines listed there do not apply to this degree.

If you have questions about the degree, please contact Patti Elshafei at pelshafei@wsu.edu or 509-335-0125.

Program of Study—30 semester credits

Required power engineering courses

9 credits

E E 521 – Analysis of Power Systems
E E 526 – High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines
E E 536 – Power System Economics and Electricity Markets

Power engineering electives

9 credits; limited to three 400-level courses

E E 439 – Critical Infrastructure Security: The Emerging Smart Grid
E E 486 – Power Electronics
E E 491 – Performance of Power Systems
E E 492 – Renewable Energy Sources
E E 493 – Protection of Power Systems I
E E 511 – Protection of Power Systems II
E E 522 – High Voltage Engineering
E E 523 – Power System Stability and Control
E E 525 – Advanced Power Electronics

Up to two other relevant courses may be substituted upon departmental approval.

Professional courses

9 credits, no more than two from each area

Quantitative Methods

E M 526 – Constraints Management
E M 545 – Technical Decision Analysis
E M 503 – Managing Variability and Statistics

Management

E M 501 – Management of Organizations
E M 564 – Project Management
E M 575 – Performance Management in Technical Organizations

Legal/Finance

E M 505 – Finance for Technical Systems
E M 508 – Legal Concepts for Engineering and Technical Management

Internship

E E 701 – Master’s Independent Capstone Project, Directed Study, and/or Examination