The steps necessary to becoming an electrical engineer are relatively similar across the board. Those interested in pursuing work in electrical engineering should consider following the steps to pursuing this career.
The first step in becoming an electrical engineer is obtaining a high school diploma; or a GED in the absence of a high school diploma. Because a high school diploma or a GED is a prerequisite for admission to virtually any college or university, this is a fundamental step in the process. High school students should take as many math and science courses as possible and drafting or other STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) classes.
Dual enrollment programs may be available through local community colleges, which allow high school students to enroll and earn college credit before graduating from high school.
After graduating from high school or earning a GED, students should apply to and enroll in an electrical engineering program at a two-year college or a four-year university or college. Some two-year colleges have PREP (pre-engineering programs) designed to prepare students for four-year degree programs by emphasizing foundational STEM courses at more affordable tuition rates. Upon completing a PREP program at a community college, students consider enrolling in a four-year college or university engineering program accredited by ABET to be eligible for PE licensure.
Arizona State University
An example of a four-year degree program in electrical engineering is the online bachelor of science in engineering in electrical engineering at Arizona State University. This four-year program is accredited by ABET and offers students the option to earn a concentration in electrical power and energy systems.
The program is made up of 120 credits. Students in this program take courses in introduction to engineering; digital design fundamentals; signals and systems; computer organization and assembly language programming; circuits; random signal analysis; and laboratory design.
Students in this online degree will develop engineering knowledge and skills with a focus on the design of electric power systems, signal processing algorithms, electronics, semiconductor devices, and antennas. They’ll be prepared for careers that pioneer new technologies in the energy sector, computing, robotics, and beyond.
This online electrical engineering program concludes with a design lab, during which students will work with their peers for creating an original project. Graduates of the program will be prepared for positions such as aerospace engineers, computer hardware engineers, electrical engineers, electronics engineers, energy engineers, nuclear engineers, solar energy systems engineers, and wind energy engineers.
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $688 per credit
Some colleges and universities offer a five-year undergraduate/graduate dual degree program, offering students the chance to earn a bachelor of science and a master of engineering in five years. This option allows students to earn two degrees in a shorter amount of time, leading to expanded future opportunities and saving time and money. Read on for details about dual degree programs in step four below.
Students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering may wish to find volunteer or work experience in the field during college or university. While this is certainly not a requirement, it can help students understand what to expect in the future and ensure they are prepared for the demands of the occupation.
Many ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program students include internship opportunities to give students hands-on experience before graduation or in the fourth year in the case of five-year dual degree programs.
Some common pathways to a master’s degree program in engineering are earning professional experience after a four-year undergraduate degree, enrolling in a five-year BS/MS dual-degree engineering program, or enrolling in a dual MBA/MSE program.
Bucknell University
An example of a five-year dual degree program is the bachelor of science and master of science in an engineering program at Bucknell University. This program is unique because it offers a full-tuition scholarship for students in their fifth year. Students can choose electrical engineering among other disciplines in their master’s level coursework. Students in this program earn an MS degree in one year upon completing their bachelor of science degree.
- Location: Lewisburg, PA
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; ABET
- Expected Time to Completion: 60 months
- Estimated Tuition: Contact the university for details
Arizona State University
As for dual master’s degree programs, Arizona State University (ASU) offers a dual MBA (master’s of business administration)/MSE in electrical engineering. The U.S. News & World Report (2021) ranks ASU’s MBA program among the top 10 in the nation and provides engineering students with the business acumen to lead research and development teams in various industries. ASU offers five unique tracks for electrical engineers in the MBA/MSE program:
- Electric power and energy systems
- Electromagnetics, antennas, and microwave circuits
- Physical electronics and photonics
- Electronic and mixed-signal circuit design
- Signal processing and communications
Admissions for dual master’s degree programs are competitive. To be eligible for this program, applicants complete one application for both programs, answer three essay questions, and provide an up-to-date resume. Additional application materials include two letters of reference, official transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of study or 3.5 for graduates from engineering programs not accredited by ABET, and submit GMAT or GRE scores.
Preferred applicants have an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree and at least one or two years of professional work experience. Dual degree programs at the graduate level typically take three years to complete.
Comprising 56 credits, the program includes courses such as advanced silicon processing; artificial neural computation systems; digital systems and circuits; ethical issues for managers; fast computing electromagnetics; financial performance reporting; nuclear reactor theory and design; and operations and supply management, among others.
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Expected Time to Completion: 36 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,022 per credit
After earning a degree from a four- or five-year program, an individual can begin working as an electrical engineer. After four years of working under a licensed PE and meeting other criteria, an individual can apply for a Professional Engineer license, which, as discussed above, can lead to expanded career opportunities.
For more information about online engineering programs, please see our guide to online electrical engineering degree programs.
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Electronic Mail — 14% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Freedom to Make Decisions — 70% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 85% responded “Every day.”
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Work With Work Group or Team — 25% responded “Very important.”
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Spend Time Sitting — 41% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 58% responded “Very important.”
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Structured versus Unstructured Work — 58% responded “Some freedom.”
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Contact With Others — 43% responded “Contact with others about half the time.”
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Telephone — 26% responded “Every day.”
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Duration of Typical Work Week — 31% responded “40 hours.”
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Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 29% responded “Important results.”
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Time Pressure — 38% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Physical Proximity — 60% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
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