Why earn an EER degree?

The current and historic strength of the EER program is in the area of oil and natural gas. The Jackson School of Geosciences and the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, which jointly administer the EER program, have nationally recognized programs in this area. Students enroll in the EER program to add expertise in two or more of the following disciplines—geosciences, engineering, business, finance, economics, law, policy, and environment—to that they gained in their undergraduate degree program or subsequent employment experience. Most students entering the EER program plan on subsequent careers in the business, finance, planning, or management areas of resources. In addition to oil and natural gas, the EER program offers the opportunity for coursework and research in alternative energy resources, mineral resources, and water similarly tied to relevant courses in business, finance, economics, law, policy, and the environment.

Jackson School Academic Rankings

Source: U.S. News & World Report, March 31, 2006 (published as America's Best Graduate Schools: 2007 Edition).

No. 9—Overall Graduate Program, Earth Sciences
No. 5—Earth Sciences Specialty, Geology
No. 8—Geology Specialty, Geophysics & Seismology
No. 9—Geology Specialty, Paleontology

Note: In 2006, U.S. News & World Report changed the taxonomy of their geoscience rankings. The category name changed from geology to earth sciences. Geology became one of the four specialty categories and three of the former specialty categories were deleted from the ranking: sedimentology/stratigraphy, hydrogeology, and tectonics/ structure. The Jackson School had top ten rankings in all of the deleted areas, including a No 1. ranking in sedimentology/stratigraphy.

Petroleum Engineering Academic Rankings

Source: U.S. News & World Report, March 31, 2006 (published as America's Best
Graduate Schools: 2007 Edition).

No. 1—Overall Graduate Program, Petroleum Engineering

LBJ School of Public Affairs

Source: U.S. News & World Report, March 31, 2006 (published as America's Best
Graduate Schools: 2007 Edition).

No. 10—Overall Graduate Program, Public Affairs