Best Online Degrees in: Electrical Engineering Technology

Editor's Picks: Online Schools for Electrical Engineering Technology

Value
Rochester Institute of Technology wins the award for best value in an online electrical engineering technology degree. The school has the highest annual return on investment of any online school offering the degree, according to PayScale.com. Graduates had an impressive 7.4% return on investment, with the number going up to 8.7% for students who received financial aid during their education.

Flexibility
The award for most flexible online program for an online bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology goes to the University of North Dakota Online. The school's program is designed specifically for working professionals, and allows students to pursue the exact same curriculum offered in their traditional face-to-face courses. Students can watch live streaming video of lectures, or view recorded sessions on their own time.

Financial Support
The University of North Dakota Online wins our award for best financial support for an online bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology. The National Center for Education Statistic reports that the school awarded some form of financial aid to 88% of its students during the school year. The NCES also states that the school awarded more than $11,400 on average, per student, in grants, scholarship aid, and federal student loans as well.

Technology Support
The University of North Dakota also won our award for best technology support. In addition to being ranked No. 3 by U.S. News & World Report, specifically in student services and technology, the school provides its entire online student body with live, 24/7 tech support.

Library and Research Support
Old Dominion University Online won our award for best library and research support by offering superb library services to its online student body. All online students have access to the school's library system through a dedicated website. Students can also get research assistance through the library's Ask-A-Librarian service by phone, email, or live chat.

Learning Support
The award for best learning support for an online bachelor's degree program in online electrical engineering technology goes to Old Dominion University Online. The school is ranked by the U.S. News & World Report in several categories pertaining to student support. The school provides free access to online tutoring, skills development, and academic coaching through the Student Success Center.

Faculty Accessibility
The award for best faculty accessibility goes to Old Dominion University Online for providing unique options for students to be able to communicate with professors and faculty. Online students have access to a two-way video conferencing system where they can participate in a class with the professor and several other students via two-way video and audio. Students can also access their professors contact information through the school's online portal.

Prior Learning Options
The award for best prior learning options goes to the University of North Dakota for providing transfer students with a dedicated staff that can provide guidance for students trying to transfer previously earned credit to their UND Online degree. The school also has a transfer agreement program with hundreds of community colleges throughout country. The school provides a great deal of help for active duty Military members and is ranked No. 3 in the Guide to Online Schools for online military friendly schools.

New Online Student Orientation
The award for best new online student orientation goes to University of North Carolina – Charlotte for the school's interactive orientation website. Through the site, students can learn all there is to know about their new online program. The site provides detailed instructions on everything from student computing, to registration and text books, all the way through graduation and program completion.

Explore a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology

If you enjoy learning about the intricate details that go into electronic devices, or if you're fascinated by power systems and want to learn how they function, you may want to consider earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology online and making a career out of something you love to do. Generally, a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology can be earned in around four years. However, this varies for each student because several factors affect the amount of time it takes to earn a degree, including the program's requirements, how many credits you're able to transfer and use toward your degree, how quickly you're able to successfully complete each course, and whether you are a full-time or part-time student.

Class Curriculum

Electrical engineering technology majors will learn about digital fundamentals and application, electrical power and controls, power systems, local area networks, electronic product development, and much more. The classes you will have to take in an electrical engineering technology program will vary by institution, but here are a few of the more common classes:

• Electronic Circuit Design. This class will electronic circuit concepts, using semiconductors and analog integrated circuits, linear power supplies, sinusoidal oscillators, and more. The class will also introduce simulation software that is used in circuit design.
• Data Communication. This class will focus on the concepts of data communication and networking. Students will learn about topics such as wireless cellular networks, data-transfer mechanisms, local area networks, synchronization, and digital representation of data.
• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer. This class will teach students how heat is built up, transferred, and cooled in electrical systems. Students will learn about concepts such as energy transfer in closed and open systems, heat transfer mechanisms, cooling applications, radiation and heat exchangers, and mass and energy balance equations.

Electrical engineering technology majors can expect to use software such as AutoCAD to complete many of their assignments. Through this, you can design and improve electrical systems, and apply what they have learned. Many programs also incorporate simulations requiring you to diagnose and solve problems. You can also expect exams and written assignments to test your knowledge of the subjects being covered.

Building a Career

Electrical engineering technology majors may find employment opportunities in a variety of industries. For example, manufacturing organizations need professionals skilled with electronic controls and are able to diagnose and solve problems and improve efficiency. Corporations need employees who are able to establish networking systems. Electrical engineering technicians possess a valuable skill set that can lead to successful careers.

Earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology makes you a more desired candidate for a job, but it doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to find employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is expecting to see employment for electrical engineering technicians increase by 2% through the year 2020. The BLS also shows that on average, an electrical engineering technician's income is $56,040 a year. One thing to keep in mind is that income depends on several factors, such as the industry you work for, whether you work in the private or public sector, who your employer is, the amount of experience you have, and what city and state you work in.