Petroleum Land Development refers to the process of planning, managing, and optimizing the use of land for exploration, extraction, and production within the oil and gas industry. MSU Denver students pursuing careers within this field will gain necessary skills such as site selection using GIS (geographic information system) applications, project planning and budgeting, lease negotiation, legal knowledge in land use, environmental impact assessment, and infrastructure development.
From landing your first job to advancing your career in the energy field, MSU Denver’s Petroleum Land Management (PLM) courses and certificates prepare land and land administration professionals for long-term success in the oil and gas industry. Our curriculum is a partnership with Petroleum Education Workshops.
Each land management certificate course is one month long and available entirely online.
You can choose to take one of our eleven online courses or combine the courses for one of the three certificates offered.
Enhance your career in petroleum land development by taking the following courses. Find course descriptions on the Course Description page:
Students of this land management program gain a comprehensive understanding of the petroleum land management field, covering key aspects of the oil and gas industry and strategies for navigating the complexities of energy exploration and environmental resources management.
This online training shows you how to carry out vital tasks, including calculating the interest in a well, curing complex land and title problems, and handling substantial amounts of suspended funds while emphasizing the role these skills play in the broader context of the oil and gas industry.
Prepares you to become analysts, overseers, maintainers, and guardians of the company’s assets – the foundation of every oil and gas exploration. You’ll learn how to research, interpret, and manage essential land and lease records. This certificate helps build the critical thinking skills needed to navigate legal documents and ownership rights in land management and energy industries.
View all the courses and descriptions offered. These courses are designed to build practical, job-ready skills for roles across the energy sector, with a focus on land management, legal documentation, and analytical processes. Whether you're new to the industry or looking to deepen your expertise, each course provides targeted training to help you advance your career.
Students pursuing a career in petroleum land development must gain key knowledge and technical proficiency in strategic management. Examples of these land management skills include:
Land management courses begin the first day of the month and run through the last day of the month.
Each course costs $475 and includes the textbook. There is a $35 transaction fee per payment. Invest in your future success in the oil and gas industry with MSU Denver’s Petroleum Land Management courses and certificates.
Terrill Williams is the founder and owner of Petroleum Education Workshops LLC, a leading educational and training center for the oil and gas industry. Williams is a well-known speaker, instructor, and educator in the oil and gas industry having a career that has spanned over 40 years. He has worked in the trenches, both in land and land administration. Williams’ unique instruction, resource materials, and training style improve the work of hundreds of land professionals each year and his expertise is a valuable addition to MSU Denver’s Professional Development program.
In addition to his workshops and courses, Williams has authored several land management industry books, including:
Williams’ courses are designed to connect classroom learning with the day-to-day work of land professionals. With decades of hands-on experience, he brings a real-world perspective that helps students build confidence in complex topics like lease obligations, title work, and land practices. His teaching style is clear and engaging, making even technical material approachable. Students appreciate his ability to break down industry concepts and offer practical tools they can use right away. Whether you’re entering the field or looking to expand your knowledge, Williams’ instruction offers a meaningful step forward in your career and reflects our commitment to accessible, high-quality education rooted in industry relevance.
To better meet the demand of the participants in the Petroleum Land Management (PLM) program, the decision has been made to put several courses on hold to focus on the high demand courses and certificates. Find more information on the course description webpage.
If a course that you need to complete a certificate is not listed on the schedule, please reach out to Brandy Schooler at [email protected] as soon as possible so we can assist you in completing your certificate.
Covers federal and state ownership of land and minerals, state specific title issues and statues, and specific language in conveyances.
In-depth look at understanding property ownership and how chain title is critical for field landmans.
For questions regarding registration, tuition, award documents, or refunds, contact Brandy Schooler at 303-615-1234 or [email protected].
For questions about course content, advising, or instruction, contact Terrill Williams at 719-985-8854 or [email protected].
Phone: 303-615-1234
Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building
3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
MSU Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362
