Electrical Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Electrical Technology major prepares you to install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical systems. Electrical technology programs teach electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, residential and commercial wiring, motor controls and safety.

An Electrical Technology major includes coursework in electrical theory, national Electrical Code, residential and commercial wiring, motor controls and PLCs, and electrical safety and more. You build skills such as wiring, reading electrical plans, troubleshooting, and code compliance. Programs often include apprenticeship options. Typical degrees: certificate and associate degree.

Typical courses include electrical theory, national Electrical Code, residential and commercial wiring, motor controls and PLCs, electrical safety, and blueprint reading. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Electrical Technology is offered as certificate, associate, and bachelor’s 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, and a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate and associate degree. In the latest federal data, 460 colleges reported certificate awards, 435 colleges reported associate awards, and 83 colleges reported bachelor’s awards.

Career paths connected to electrical technology include electrician, electrical lineworker, electronics technician, solar panel installer, fire alarm technician, substation technician, and electrician helper. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include electrician (typical training: 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)), electrical lineworker (typical training: 3–4 years (apprenticeship)), electronics technician (typical training: 2 years), solar panel installer (typical training: 1–6 months), fire alarm technician (typical training: 6–12 months on the job), and substation technician (typical training: 1–2 years + experience).

Electrical Technology majors build skills such as wiring, reading electrical plans, troubleshooting, code compliance, and electrical safety.

Good pairings include Renewable Energy (prepares you for solar and energy storage work) and Business (useful for becoming an electrical contractor).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include apprenticeship options. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as electrician, electrical lineworker, and electronics technician, and enjoy subjects like electrical theory and national Electrical Code. 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 electrical theory, national Electrical Code, and residential and commercial wiring; 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.

653 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 (59), North Carolina (45), Texas (36), Michigan (29), and Pennsylvania (29), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

532 of the colleges that offer electrical technology 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 Technology prepares you to install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical systems. Construction Management teaches you to plan, budget, schedule and supervise construction projects. Electrical Technology leads to careers such as electrician and electrical lineworker, while Construction Management leads to careers such as construction manager and cost estimator.

Electrical Technology prepares you to install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical systems. Building Science and Construction Technology studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well. Electrical Technology leads to careers such as electrician and electrical lineworker, while Building Science and Construction Technology leads to careers such as construction and building inspector and building maintenance 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 technology, such as Electrician Training.