General Information

Graduate Degrees

Additional Information

REES Certificate Program

The FREEDM Systems Center will offer a Renewable Electric Energy Systems Certificate Program that will be open to both degree and non-degree students starting in the fall of 2009. Please direct any questions or concerns to Amy Bailey, Education Program Administrator at the contact information listed below.

The Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems provides graduate students with the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable electric energy systems and advanced electric power grid technology in addition to their major area of graduate study. The certificate also provides non-degree graduate level students the opportunity to develop expertise in Renewable Electric Energy Systems and advanced electric power grid technology.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with appropriate background must meet one of the three following requirements:

  • Be a graduate of an accredited four-year college or university, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
  • Be a degree student in good standing in an NC State University graduate program
  • Have a Master’s degree

A student may obtain more than one graduate certificate in a different field. Each certificate must have at least nine (9) credit hours that are unique to it.

Program of Study

The Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems requires a minimum of 12 hours, and includes the following courses:

Core Course (3 hours)
  • ECE592C: Renewable Electric Energy Systems
Advanced Courses (Choose any three from the following)
  • ECE 550 - Power System Operation and Control
  • ECE534 - Power Electronics
  • MAE 503 - Advanced Power Plants
  • ECE592F - Power System Protection
  • ECE792E - Three-Phase Converters
  • MAE 421 - Solar Thermal
  • ECE736 - Power System Stability
  • ECE792B - Electric Vehicle Systems
  • MAE(ECE) 535 - Electromechanical Systems Design

Academic Performance

Award of a Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems (REES) requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. None of the required 12 hours may be taken for S/U or "credit only". No transfer credits from other institutions are allowed for the certificate. All students must be registered through NC State University. All REES requirements must be completed within the first four (4) calendar years beginning with the date the students begin the course work for the certificate. All Certificate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment every semester (excluding summer sessions) until all course work is completed. Under unusual circumstances, a one-semester leave of absence will be granted if the student is unable to enroll in a course. Written approval from the certificate coordinator must be obtained before the beginning of the semester.

Applying for the Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems

Students submit a Program Application, a resume identifying educational preparation and work experiences, and official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work and a timeline for certificate completion. After the application is reviewed, students will be notified of their acceptance to the program by the Certificate Coordinator.

Each semester, students may contact the Certificate Coordinator to determine registration procedures, course availability, and registration dates. At the end of each semester, students should submit documentation of Course Completion form to the Certificate Coordinator in order to maintain approved status in the Certificate Program.

Non-Degree Students

Those who wish to undertake academic work beyond the Bachelor's degree, but are not currently admitted to a graduate degree program, may enroll under the Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) classification in order to participate in the Certificate Program. This classification is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students who are sponsored by an agency of the U.S. government or are married to an NC State student.
The PBS classification carries with it no implication that the student will be admitted to the Graduate School in any degree classification or that courses taken will be accepted for degree credit.

For additional information please refer to the University Policies, Regulations & Rules Handbook in the Rules for Participation in Post-Baccalaureate Studies section located at http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/degree_requirements_grad/REG02.25.12.php.

Certificate Coordinator

Dr. Mesut Baran
Electrical & Computer Engineering Professor
Partners I 1250, Box 7571
NCSU Campus
Raleigh, NC 27695
(919) 515-5081
baran@ncsu.edu

Amy H. Bailey
Education Program Administrative Support
Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery & Management Systems Center
(FREEDM)
P.O. Box 7237
Raleigh, NC 27695
(919) 513-3435
ahbailey@ncsu.edu