Engineering Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Engineering Technology major is an applied, hands-on engineering degree focused on building, testing and maintaining systems. Engineering technology programs emphasize applying engineering principles more than theory.

An Engineering Technology major includes coursework in technical math and physics, CAD and drafting, electrical circuits, mechanics and materials, and instrumentation and testing and more. You build skills such as CAD, testing and measurement, troubleshooting, and reading technical drawings. Programs often include laboratory work. Typical degrees: certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include technical math and physics, CAD and drafting, electrical circuits, mechanics and materials, instrumentation and testing, and manufacturing processes. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Engineering Technology 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.

Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 534 colleges reported certificate awards, 607 colleges reported associate awards, 208 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 41 colleges reported master’s awards, and 5 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to engineering technology include mechanical engineering technician, civil engineering technician, electronics technician, industrial engineering technician, CAD drafter, calibration technician, quality control inspector, and mechatronics technician. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include mechanical engineering technician (typical training: 2 years), civil engineering technician (typical training: 2 years), electronics technician (typical training: 2 years), industrial engineering technician (typical training: 2-year degree), cad drafter (typical training: 1–2 years), and calibration technician (typical training: 2 years).

Engineering Technology majors build skills such as CAD, testing and measurement, troubleshooting, reading technical drawings, and hands-on lab skills.

Good pairings include Business (prepares you to supervise technical teams), Occupational Safety (adds safety knowledge for plants and job sites), and Project Management (helps you run technical projects).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include laboratory work. 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 mechanical engineering technician, civil engineering technician, and electronics technician, and enjoy subjects like technical math and physics and CAD and drafting. 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 technical math and physics, CAD and drafting, and electrical circuits; 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.

862 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 (68), Texas (51), North Carolina (45), New York (42), and Illinois (41), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

736 of the colleges that offer engineering 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.

Engineering Technology is an applied, hands-on engineering degree focused on building, testing and maintaining systems. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Engineering Technology leads to careers such as mechanical engineering technician and civil engineering technician, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Engineering Technology is an applied, hands-on engineering degree focused on building, testing and maintaining systems. Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Engineering Technology leads to careers such as mechanical engineering technician and civil engineering technician, while Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer.

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 engineering technology, such as Mechanical Engineering Technician Training.