Schools typically offer online associate's degree programs in electronic, rather than electrical, engineering technology. Depending on the institution a student attends, this program may be offered fully online or in a blended format in which some courses need to be taken on campus. Students can lean about circuit design, electronics, semiconductors and computer programming. They may be able to apply credits earned during the program to a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering technology.
|Online Availability||Available entirely online or in a blended format|
|Important Prerequisites||Basic computer literacy; some programs require a familiarity with computer programming languages|
|Online Requirements||Some schools require students to have an electronic calculator capable of handling functions, along with specialized computer software for specific courses.|
Associate Degree - Electronic Engineering Technology
Those who offer online electronic engineering technology programs prepare students to work as electronic or electric engineering technicians. The coursework helps students develop the skills necessary to design and test electrical hardware and software. Electronic types, circuit design, transistors and electrical voltage are some of the major focus areas in these programs.
Some schools offer associate degree programs combining electronic engineering technology and computer science. Students entering an online electronic engineering technology program should have basic computer literacy, including the ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software. Some schools may require that students have familiarity with computer programming languages.
Information and Requirements
An online associate's degree program in electronic engineering technology can be completed in two years, although some schools may use a part-time schedule for online programs. If the latter is the case, finishing the program could take up to four years. The online coursework is completed through the school's online learning platform, which allows students to review course materials, complete assignments and take tests. Online tools also give students the opportunity to interact with their instructor and classmates through chats, discussion boards and e-mail.
In addition to meeting the computer and Internet technical requirements for online programs, some schools may require students studying electronic engineering technology to purchase an electronic calculator capable of handling functions. Additional software may be needed for specific courses.
Common Electronic Engineering Technology Courses
The coursework in this associate's degree program covers multiple areas involved in electronic engineering technology including programming, alternating current (AC) circuits, direct current (DC) circuits and physics. General education courses - in subjects such as English, algebra, the social sciences and humanities - are required as well.
This course introduces students to the computer programming language known as C. They learn about the functions, syntax and semantics of the language, in addition to how it is used for programming.
Students are taught about the kinds of circuits and related theoretical laws. Electrical voltage, currents, power and magnetism are among the areas of focus in the course.
This course covers multiple topics related to electronics. Students learn about semiconductor devices, transistors and circuit analysis, among others.
The course helps students develop technical communication skills needed to work in electronic engineering technology. They obtain practice in writing reports and proposals, in addition to learning how to present technical data.
Graduates with this associate's degree may obtain employment as a technician with electronic engineering firms, electronic component producers and other private businesses in the industry. Some electronic engineering technicians work in government positions as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these technicians earned an average annual wage of $60,330 in May 2014 (www.bls.gov). The BLS reported, however, that employment growth in this occupation would not increase during the 2012-2022 decade. This is partly due to the fact that companies overseas are major competitors in electronic design and production.
Continuing Education Information
Some schools that offer the associate degree in electronics engineering technology may also offer a bachelor's degree in the major fully or partially online. These institutions may accept the associate degree coursework as fulfillment of a significant portion of the bachelor's degree program requirements.