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Energy Land ManagementMajor

This program melds natural resource management, business and development of energy resources. Our graduates emerge as highly trained and sought-after professionals, equipped with the skills needed to make an immediate impact in the energy industry.

By the numbers10

One of 10 programs in the U.S. accredited by the American Association of Professional Landmen

Overview

What is Energy Land Management at WVU like?

Description

Energy land managers are key players in the development of land resources. Our Energy Land Management program will prepare you for professions that are critical to the energy and regulatory sectors.

Your coursework will focus on the development of land resources for energy and related uses, with an emphasis on the management, coordination and development of surface, mineral and other interests. Thanks to our location and our many industry partners, you can expect internships, industry mentorships and intensive, hands-on experiences.

Our graduates are in demand. When you complete your degree, you’ll compete for the best land jobs in the U.S.

Potential careers include:

  • Land Manager
  • Land Services Representative
  • Land Development Manager
  • Landowner Relations Specialist
  • Land Acquisition Manager
  • Right-of-Way Agent
  • Lease Analyst/Land Administrator

Energy Land Management program highlights:

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At a Glance

Next Steps

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Fast Facts

What makes Energy Land Management at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Student enhancement grants: George A. Myles Natural Resources Undergraduate Student Enhancement Grant and Emory and Emma Thomas Student Fund
  • International travel opportunities to complete coursework or internships
  • Industry-supported research opportunities, such as industry statistic/analysis of production development, environmental impacts and permitting for companies
  • Interaction between students and professionals in many sectors of the energy industry encouraged and facilitated (e.g., guest lectures, networking events, mentorship match-ups)

3+3 Law Degree Program

This major is eligible for the 3+3 Law Degree Program that allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and law degree in six years instead of seven years.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

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Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Energy Land Management has a 100% job and graduate school placement rate. Graduates often go on to become professional landmen, lease analysts, title analysts, lease negotiators, energy permit professionals, division order analysts or registered professional landmen (RPL). To become a RPL, a test is required after only one year of working in the field (as opposed to five years of required field work if students graduate from a non-accredited program).

In addition to finding job placement in the energy industry, graduates have been successful in non-energy related fields, and some graduates have gone on to earn their MBA or have been accepted to law school.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Energy Land Management major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Energy Land Management at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Energy Land Management major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

BUSA 202:
Survey of Accounting

Overview of the accounting discipline. Utilization of accounting information for purposes of financial reporting, management control and decision making, and individual income tax reporting. (Students may not receive credit for ACCT 201 and BUSA 202.)

BUSA 330:
Survey of Marketing

Overview of the marketing discipline. Topics include the management of the product, communication, price and distribution variables as well as an introduction to buyer behavior and marketing research.

ENLM 150:
Introduction to Energy Land Management

Comprehensive review of the field of energy land management and how it relates to the natural gas and petroleum extraction processes with an emphasis on shale development. Examples of property transfers, mineral ownership, and leasing and the distinction between surface and mineral rights.

ENLM 200:
Principles of Energy Land Management

The science of energy land management with an emphasis on petroleum, natural gas, coal, solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass energy production. Complexities of energy systems and how surface and mineral management techniques compare and/or contrast to those found in traditional energy systems.

ENLM 300:
Ethics and Negotiations for Energy Land Managers

Basic negotiation components including negotiating positions, techniques, and styles, and how they are used in energy land management. Emphasis placed on the legal and ethical aspects of negotiation and include a complete review of the AAPL code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

ENLM 441:
Applied Geographic Information Systems and Energy Land Management

PR or CONC: RESM 440. Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) foundations to solve problems related directly to Energy Land Management. Incorporation of GIS skills in a holistic manner to develop spatial solutions to a real-world challenge in the planning, acquisition, and development of a petroleum/natural gas resource play.

WMAN 200:
Restoration Ecology

Principles and practice of restoring natural ecosystem function, structure, and integrity.

Cost and Aid

How much does Energy Land Management at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Energy Land Management can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Energy Land Management at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Energy Land Management major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

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Request Information

Want to know more about Energy Land Management at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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