Electrical Engineering Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Electrical Engineering major designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Electrical engineering majors study circuits, electronics, signals, electromagnetics, power systems and digital systems.

An Electrical Engineering major includes coursework in circuit analysis, electronics, signals and systems, electromagnetics, and power systems and more. You build skills such as circuit design, testing and measurement, programming, and problem solving. Typical degrees: bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Typical courses include circuit analysis, electronics, signals and systems, electromagnetics, power systems, and digital logic and microcontrollers. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Electrical Engineering is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In the latest federal data, 41 colleges reported certificate awards, 41 colleges reported associate awards, 372 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 216 colleges reported master’s awards, and 141 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to electrical engineering include electrical engineer, electronics engineer, electrical drafter, electronics technician, substation technician, engineering manager, and sales engineer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include electrical engineer (typical training: 4 years), electronics engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree), electrical drafter (typical training: 2-year degree), electronics technician (typical training: 2 years), substation technician (typical training: 1–2 years + experience), and engineering manager (typical training: 5+ years of engineering experience).

Electrical Engineering majors build skills such as circuit design, testing and measurement, programming, problem solving, and technical documentation.

Good pairings include Computer Science (helps with embedded systems and programming), Mathematics (supports signal processing and control theory), and Business (prepares you for engineering management).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as electrical engineer, electronics engineer, and electrical drafter, and enjoy subjects like circuit analysis and electronics. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes circuit analysis, electronics, and signals and systems; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

423 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (34), Texas (34), Pennsylvania (26), New York (25), and Washington (23), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

381 of the colleges that offer electrical engineering also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Civil Engineering designs roads, bridges, buildings, water systems and other infrastructure. Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer, while Civil Engineering leads to careers such as civil engineer and civil engineering technician.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to electrical engineering, such as Electrical Engineer Training.