MBA with Certificate in Energy Business Program Overview
Our AACSB-accredited online Master of Business Administration with Certificate in Energy Business is a 36- to 45-credit program that provides highly marketable operational knowledge and leadership skills with an in-depth focus on the energy industry.
Our MBA with Certificate in Energy Business prepares you to work at different levels in the energy industry and can be completed in as little as four semesters. Each online course is taught by the same doctoral-level business professionals who teach on campus.
An Eye Toward the Energy Business
Our online MBA with Certificate in Energy Business program examines the intersection of energy and business from multiple perspectives. Through your choice of four energy specialty courses, you’ll explore some of today’s key industry topics, such as primary energy production, advanced accounting, energy finance, energy law, energy commodities, and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Our program allows you to focus on the energy business areas of greatest interest to you. You’ll complete the program equipped with a valuable certificate and the up-to-date knowledge you need to move into a professional leadership role.
Careers for MBA with Certificate in Energy Business
UT Permian Basin’s online program will prepare you for advancement in a wide variety of corporate careers in the energy industry, including:
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Budget Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Business Development
- Planning Analyst
Upon admission (regular and conditional), students will be evaluated for statistical literacy. Students who need additional skills in this area are referred to BUSI2342 until literacy requirement is fulfilled. Statistical literacy (BUSI2342) must be remedied in the first semester in which the student is accepted into the MBA program and must be taken before the student enrolls in ACCT 6301, BUSI 6302, FINA 6321, FINA 6320, MNGT 6366, or electives in accounting, finance, management, or marketing. Required 3 credit hours.
12 credit hours required.
21 credit hours required. MNGT 6366 must be completed last.
12 credit hours required. Select courses from the list below. To be approved by advisor. Internship cannot be used.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 credit hours
Conditional Admission
- Official transcripts certifying a bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited college or university
- GPA between 2.99 and 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- 2 letters of recommendation or professional email references
- Allowed to take up to 12 credit hours as advised and must earn a B or better
- If student earns below a B, GMAT is required for readmission
- No elective course may be taken by a student in conditional status
Conditional Admission With Dean’s Approval
- Official transcripts certifying a bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited college or university
- GPA between 2.49 and 2.25 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- GMAT with minimum score of 500 (based on GPA)
- Essay expressing interest may be requested
- 2 letters of recommendation or professional email references
- Allowed to take up to 12 credit hours and must earn a B or better
- No elective course may be taken by a student in conditional status
Students granted conditional status will be changed to regular status upon successful completion of a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of MBA coursework with a grade of B or better in each course taken.
Official Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and can be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Office of Admissions
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to admissions@utpb.edu.
Supporting Documents
All supporting documents related to a graduate program, such as letters of recommendation, essays, statements of interest, resumes, professional work experience, and awards should be sent to the Graduate Studies Office:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762-0001
Electronic versions of supporting documents may be emailed to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Waiver Policy
If you have an undergraduate degree in business, you may be able to complete the program with as few as 36 credit hours. If your undergraduate degree is not in business, you will have to complete all 45 credit hours.
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
Chair of the Accounting, Finance, and Economics Department
Associate Professor of Finance
PhD, The University of Texas at Arlington
MS, Texas Tech University
gormus_a@utpb.edu
Alper Gormus, PhD, is the chair of the accounting, finance, and economics department and an associate professor in finance. He is also a Jack D. Ladd Fellow and the coordinator of energy and finance programs. He has an MS in economics from Texas Tech University and a PhD in finance from The University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to his start at UTPB, he worked as faculty, teaching classes at The University of Texas at Arlington, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech University. On the corporate side, Dr. Gormus has worked for several high-profile companies in various roles related to investments and financial analytics. His research interests include energy investments and international markets. His work has been published in several global academic journals including Energy Economics, Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Economic Letters, and Global Finance Journal. Dr. Gormus teaches Energy Investments, Investments, and Corporate Finance.
“I strongly believe student success must be the driving factor for all we do in academia. In terms of how I contribute, combining my industry experience with academics has always served me well in the classroom. While I have worked in numerous projects across many areas in finance and economics, a large portion of my research has been in energy investments. I was fortunate enough to publish my research in some of the top academic journals in the field and I try to bring that expertise into the classroom.”
Director of Graduate Progams, UT Permian Basin
College of Business
Professor of Marketing
saran_a@utpb.edu
Anshu Saran, PhD, is a professor of marketing within the College of Business at The University of Texas Permian Basin. Graduating with his PhD from The University of Texas – Pan American, he joined UTPB in the fall of 2006. Prior to this, he served as faculty and taught at the APS University Rewa, Amity Business School Noida, and The University of Texas – Pan American. His research includes competing in the global marketplace, marketing strategies, social media ad marketing, and cultural differences in international business and marketing. His work has been published in the International Journal of Business Research, Journal of International Business Research, and Journal of Global Marketing. Accumulating work experience for 12 years in different parts of the world, he served as chief operating officer for Tata International Ltd. along with other accolades in India. Dr. Saran currently teaches the following classes within the MBA program: International Business (on-campus and online) and Marketing Strategy.
“My research interests and experience in international business and marketing have supported my academic endeavors and helped me incorporate industry examples in the curriculum, creating value for students and supporting their job and career progression.”
Assistant Professor of Finance
PhD, The University of Texas at Arlington
vafai_n@utpb.edu
Nima Vafai, PhD, is an assistant professor of finance in the College of Business at The University of Texas Permian Basin. He graduated with a PhD in finance from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2021 and joined UT Permian Basin in the same year. He has two graduate degrees: an MBA and a master's degree in economics. His undergraduate degree is in industrial engineering. Prior to teaching at UT Permian Basin, he served as an adjunct and instructor at The University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Tech University and as a business plan developer and product manager in the industry. His research interests include asset pricing, institutional investment, political finance, analysts' forecasts, and cryptocurrencies.
“I have taught various finance, economics, and statistics courses, including financial derivatives, microeconomics, and business statistics. My research is mainly focused on asset pricing and econometrics techniques associated with that area. I am passionate about teaching, not only because I enjoy teaching but also because I enjoy connecting my industry experience to course materials to give students a better learning experience.”
Assistant Professor of Finance
PhD, Florida International University
MBA, University of Florida
velazquez_m@utpb.edu
Marcos Velazquez, PhD, received his undergraduate degree in economics and MBA from the University of Florida. He also received his PhD in finance from Florida International University. Dr. Velazquez's research interests include corporate finance and governance, and he has received several research awards.
We’re pleased to offer program admission on a rolling basis.
Rolling admission refers to our process of accepting and evaluating applications as we receive them and moving any applications that miss the deadline to the next semester. However, if you want to enroll in courses for a specific semester, you will need to make note of the application deadlines found below. If you don’t complete your application and submit the required materials by the deadline, your application will be rolled over to the next semester.