Online Degree in Electrical Engineering

Milestone Map: Electrical Engineer’s Path

Outlined below is an example set of milestones an individual can achieve during their academic and career journey in electrical engineering.

What to Expect from Online Engineering Programs

Online electrical engineering degree programs are similar to on-campus programs, following the same curriculum and course calendars. The major difference is the delivery of instruction. Online students are still required to view lectures, complete assignments, read required materials, and engage with their peers and faculty members just like any other student. Below is a short overview of the learning experience for online electrical engineering students.

Types of Online Degrees in Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering has numerous academic pathways to careers in the field. Students may select between undergraduate and graduate programs, offered both entirely online or through hybrid instruction (requiring both online- and on-campus program). Below is a review of the major online electrical engineering program types.

Academic Concentrations in Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering students may select to pursue a concentration in both undergraduate and graduate programs of study. These concentrations allow students to gain a depth of knowledge in a specific area and take classes based on their personal and professional interests. Below is a list of common electrical engineering specializations available to students.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Communication Systems
• Digital Signal Processing
• Electromagnetics
• Integrated Circuits and Systems
• Lightwave Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Networking
• Power Electronics
• Power Systems
• Telecommunications Engineering

Electrical Engineering College Coursework

Curriculum standards for engineering, including electrical engineering, are determined by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. These standards create consistency among degree programs. Students gain a fundamental understanding of electrical engineering and its components—signals and systems, electromagnetic fields, analog and digital systems—as well as in-depth skills in research and experimentation. Below is a list of classes that are traditionally found in ABET-accredited electrical engineering programs.

Course	Description
Electromagnetic Theory	This course introduces students to the core concepts of electromagnetic theory, including wave equations, vector potentials, transmission lines, and Maxwell’s equations.
Digital Signal Processing	In this class, students learn about the fundamentals of digital signal processing, including digital filtering, Fourier transforms, linear systems, and windowing.
Digital Circuits and Systems	This course provides students with an overview of digital computing and logic, including the study of system design and operation, memory, logic design, and Boolean algebra.
Linear Systems	In this course students study the basic concepts of linear systems, including state variables, stability, time-variable systems, as well as discrete and continuous-linear systems.
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering	Students gain a fundamental understanding of electrical engineering, including mathematical models used, basic circuit concepts, and are introduced to the study and function of resistors, amplifiers and capacitors.

Advice for Selecting the Right School

Because of the different types of online options available to electrical engineering students, it is important they do their due diligence before making a decision. They should review each program to ensure the curriculum, faculty, and student services meet their personal and professional needs. Here is a list of factors to consider when considering an online electrical engineering degree program.

Electrical Engineering: ABET Accreditation

Accreditation is a voluntary process conducted by non-governmental organizations to ensure academic programs meet industry standards of quality. For electrical engineering, the primary—and most important—accrediting body is the Association Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET accredits individual electrical engineering programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. Before enrolling in a program of study, students should check if that program is accredited by one of two ABET commissions: Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC). The EAC accredits electrical engineering bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, while the ETAC accredits associate and bachelor’s programs in electrical engineering.

For prospective electrical engineering students, attending an ABET-accredited program is important. Most states require engineers to earn an accredited degree to qualify for licensure and many employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited education and professional license.

Enrollment Guide:
Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Technological innovation is driving a changing landscape in the engineering profession, making an advanced degree increasingly necessary for employment and career advancement. In addition to preparing for supervisory or management positions, a graduate degree can also be used to satisfy continuing education requirements for licensure. Below is a sample timeline for enrolling in an online electrical engineering degree program at the graduate level.

	Time Before Program Start Date
Step 1 Complete an undergraduate program in electrical engineering	4 to 6 years
Step 2 Gain real world experience through an Engineering Internship	5 years
Step 3 Work as an engineer, take the PE examination, and apply for a Professional Engineer License	4 – 5 years
Step 4 Take and pass the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)	10 months to 1 year
Step 5 Submit an application to master’s degree programs	8 – 10 months

Earning a graduate degree in electrical engineering can help professionals advance up the career ladder. However, grad school is extremely competitive and candidates must be prepared prior to applying to a master’s degree program. Below are three ways prospective graduate students can make sure their candidacy is competitive as possible.

• Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to develop additional practical skills the electrical engineering discipline. Volunteering also demonstrates the student’s commitment to and engagement with their community.
• Join a Professional Association: Networking is important and engineers should join the local chapter of their engineering society and attend luncheons and other events. These contacts can lead to recommendations for graduate school and even employment opportunities after graduation.
• Have professional experience: An engineering internship, work experience, and Professional Engineering license shows the graduate application committee the candidate is serious about their career and are using the master’s degree to advance their professional skills.

Professional Opportunities in Electrical Engineering

The electrical engineering profession offers numerous potential employment avenues, whether in signal processing or hardware development. Below is a list of five example career paths open to students that complete online electrical engineering degrees.

Earning Certifications and Licensure

Certification is one way for electrical engineers to remain relevant in their profession and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. Below is a list of three example certifications for electrical engineers.

The electrical engineering practice—like most engineering occupations—is licensed at the state level. Individual state boards determine the qualifications, education, and examinations candidates must pass in order to become licensed electrical engineers in the state. Typically, electrical engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program, meet work experience requirements, pass comprehensive examinations, and submit an application and fees to their state board. A list of state licensure boards and their requirements is available from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

It is important to remember that entry-level engineering technicians and electrical engineers do not need to hold Professional Licensure for entry-level employment. However, a PE license can impact employability, promotional opportunities as employers typically prefer to hire and advance individuals with licensure.

Other Engineering Disciplines to Consider

Engineering is broad profession, one that covers a number of interrelated areas of practice in related fields. Below are three examples of engineering programs in growing industries that may be of interest to prospective engineering students.

Electrical Engineering Student Resources