Creating a Pathway into the Clean Energy Industry
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 30, 2026) — The University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy has partnered with the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) to launch the NYS Clean Energy Program, which pairs specialized graduate coursework with paid, hands-on experience at DPS.
Through the program, students enrolled in Rockefeller College's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program can earn a Clean Energy Microcredential and become eligible to apply for a paid Clean Energy Internship with DPS's Office of Markets and Innovation.
“Hands-on learning is a hallmark of the Rockefeller College experience, and this new program gives students more opportunities to turn their classroom knowledge into real-world impact,” Rockefeller College Dean Julie Novkov said, “Through work on critical issues affecting New York’s clean energy future, students will gain practical experience and develop skills that will serve them throughout their careers.”
Opting in
MPA students can opt into the program at the start of their second semester. The microcredential requires three courses (nine credits), anchored by a course on energy policy and climate change. Students can choose electives spanning policy analysis, environmental economics, and modeling and data analysis. These courses also count toward the MPA's elective requirements, so students can earn the credential without adding time to their degree.
Students selected for the internship will start in June after their first year and continue through graduation the following May, fulfilling the MPA's 350-hour internship requirement. Interns will work in DPS’s Office of Markets and Innovation, with work focused on clean energy deployment and policy development and analysis. Students will build skills in research, evaluation, writing, data analysis, public speaking, and stakeholder relations. Successful student interns may have the opportunity to continue with DPS in a permanent role.