What Will I Learn in an Electrical Engineering Degree Program?

With this degree, you'll be able to pursue a career in electricity, electronics or electromagnetism. This program is rigorous, as students take challenging classes in math and science. Topics covered include telecommunications, signal processing, control systems, mechanics, chemistry, physics and circuitry. Students will take their book and lecture learning and apply it in a laboratory setting, building and working with a variety of electronic systems. Students will graduate from the program able to work in a wide range of industries, and many will choose to specialize in only one area of their field to best suit personal needs and career goals.

AS in Electrical Engineering	MS in Electrical Engineering

What Can I Do With an Electrical Engineering Degree?

There are many ways that students can use an electrical engineering degree in the working world. Most graduates will go on to work with some kind of electronic design, whether with power, computer circuitry or in telecommunications. Many others will choose to focus their talents on research, developing new types of systems and materials that are ever smaller and faster for today's technology. Although some may work with engineering more generally, those who have focused specializations may find careers developing particular parts of electronics, such as for power plants or in the tiny chips within a car's instrument panels. Additional education at the master's or doctoral level can be required for some careers, especially if students want to eventually enter academia.

What Is the Career Outlook for Electrical Engineering Degree Students?

In an increasingly tech-focused world in which much of our work and play revolves around electronic devices, knowing how to operate, design and repair these instruments can offer solid job opportunities. Electrical engineering degree students can expect to see steady growth in employment options through the next few years, especially for those who are qualified to work in the communications or defense industries. Salaries for those with bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering average $52,000 a year. Those who get additional education can expect to make more: $64,000 with a master's and $80,000 with a Ph.D.