Lamar University’s College of Business has launched a new program. The Doctor of Business Administration in Energy Management is the first of its kind in the nation and the first doctoral program Lamar University has introduced in 15 years.
The program will provide graduates with knowledge of energy finance, strategic decision-making, business analytics, leadership and organizational transformation, according to a release.
An emphasis will be placed on imparting research skills to solve industrial problems that are of relevance to practitioners.
In an email interview, Soumava Bandyopadhyay, associate dean of graduate studies and research in the College of Business, said the DBA degree will provide a competitive edge to those who are currently in mid-management levels in energy-related companies, such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and utility companies.
“(It) should help them achieve accelerated career growth in their own organization or transition to a higher level position in another organization,” Bandyopadhyay said.
To be admitted to the program, students must have five to seven years of work experience, which must consist of progressively more intensive managerial experience in the energy or related industry, Joby John, Dean of the College of Business, said in an email.
“Strong candidates should have substantial work experience, ideally in leadership, management or decision-making roles, and experience related to the energy sector is especially valuable,” John said. “Applicants should come in with the maturity and professional background needed to connect academic study with real organizational challenges.”
The program consists of 36 hours of coursework, six hours of dissertation proposal development, and 12 hours of dissertation work. Students can complete the program in 2.5 years with 12-15 hours of work a week, Bandyopadhyay said.
Bandyopadhyay said the program is especially relevant for Lamar students.
“Lamar University is located in the middle of ‘energy country’ — the Gulf Coast and other areas of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico — a region with an abundance of energy-related businesses — oil and gas, petrochemicals and allied organizations. We anticipated a potentially high demand for a terminal degree in energy management given this fact,” he said.
For more information, visit lamar.edu/dba, or email dba-energy@lamar.edu.