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Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician

Program Description

Just the Facts

Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician. A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. Includes instruction in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing, systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:



Additional Information

In a world where almost everything you touch is electronic, the demand for people to design, develop, test and repair this technology is increasing. Those skills are what students of electrical and electronics engineering technology programs work on developing.

Programs go by different names, depending on the school. Sometimes it's called electrical or electronics technology. Some schools have separate electrical and electronics engineering technology programs to focus on more specialized areas.

Programs can be two or four years long, depending on if you want to be a technician or a technologist. Most two-year programs offer graduates an associate's degree, and students are considered engineering technicians upon graduation.

Four-year programs usually include further opportunities for specialization, co-op programs and more courses in liberal arts. Graduates of these programs are technologists. They usually make higher salaries than technicians.

Core programs include courses in basic mathematics, DC/AC circuit analysis, soldering, transistors, basic microprocessors and troubleshooting, among others.

After finishing the core curriculum, many students choose to further specialize in areas such as avionics, marine electronics, microwave telecommunications, industrial electronics, air conditioning and heating or even PC repair.

All programs require excellent math, science and communication skills. It's also important to develop good problem-solving skills.

You may choose to become certified. This is not always required, but it will make you more marketable. Certification usually involves passing an exam.

Many programs in the U.S. are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC-ABET). Non-accredited schools aren't necessarily inferior, but with an accredited school, you'll be certain it's meeting the profession's standards.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Engineering Technicians

EETimess
Read about the latest news, products and opinions in electronics

IEEE Spectrum Online
A magazine, news, blogs and more for tech insiders

IEEE
Check out this professional association for the advancement of technology

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support