Electrical Power Engineering PSM

Washington State University’s online Electrical Power Engineering Professional Science Master’s (PSM) prepares graduates for successful careers as leaders in this growing field. Students will be provided with technical background as well as the professional skills necessary for advancement in the electric power engineering industry.

Program Overview

The Electrical Power Engineering PSM provides core technical education in power systems analysis, transmission and distribution systems and power system economics and electricity markets. You can supplement this core technical work with elective courses in areas ranging from power electronics to power system protection to high voltage engineering.

Complementing this technical education is a wide selection of elective courses in areas ranging from law and finance, to project management and an industry based internship project. The goal is to produce graduates who have both a thorough knowledge of the electric power system and the professional skills needed to advance in both technical and management careers within the industry.

Careers

Graduates of the PSM degree program who are already employed in the electric power industry are expected to become more valuable to their companies. Others are expected to be in demand by electric utilities, supporting industries and government agencies.

Student Learning Outcomes

 

Students will be able to:

1. Show master level understanding of design of electric power generation and transmission systems to include the ability to:
   1. analytically describe generators of electric power
   2. apply theoretical principles to design of transmission/distribution lines
   3. analyze performance of transmission/distribution lines
2. Show master level understanding of analysis and operation of electric power transmission system to include the ability to:
   1. analyze performance of power systems under normal operation
   2. describe principles of operating power systems
   3. analyze performance of power systems under abnormal operation
3. Show master level understanding of one or more areas of electric power engineering. These options include:
   1. power electronics
   2. renewable energy
   3. power system protection
   4. high voltage engineering
   5. power systems operations
4. Show understanding of the intersection between technical and business aspects of electric power engineering to include the ability to:
   1. describe economic constraints on electric power system operation
   2. describe the operation of electric power markets
5. Describe and apply basic business principles related to the electric power sector. These will include:
   1. legal issues
   2. finance issues
   3. project management issues
   4. human resource issues
6. Be able to apply knowledge gained in coursework to realistic circumstances in the electric power industry.
7. Communicate effectively in both written and oral form. Students will be able to:
   1. demonstrate awareness of context, audience, purpose, and assigned task(s)
   2. use appropriate and relevant content to develop and present ideas
   3. demonstrate consistent use of credible and relevant sources to support ideas