Electronics Engineering Technology Associate Degree
If you enjoy the idea of designing and testing electronic equipment, you might think about earning an associate's degree in electronics engineering technology. This article gives you a preview of the circuitry and programming courses you can find in an associate program, along admissions information and a look at jobs in the field.
What Is an Associate's Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology?
<p>An associate's degree program in electronics engineering technology is a 2-year technical degree that prepares you to work as an electronics engineering technician. Since much of this course of study requires hands-on training, these programs can be difficult to find online. You can expect to learn about applied science and mathematics as well as industry-standard electronics technology. For example, the following are classes that might appear in the curriculum:
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<ul><li>Scientific programming
</li><li>Electric circuits
</li><li>Active circuit analysis
</li><li>Integrated systems
</li><li>Pulse circuits
</li><li>A.C. and D.C. principles
</li><li>Microprocessors
</li><li>Technical writing
</li></ul><p />
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td>Pulse circuits, active circuit analysis, scientific programming, microprocessors</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Prerequisites</b></td><td>High school diploma, standardized test scores</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Choices</b></td><td>R&D technician, quality control specialist, production manager, technical representative</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary*</b></td><td>$67,550 for electronics and electrical engineering technicians in May 2020</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source:*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatAreTheAdmissionRequirements">What Are the Admission Requirements?</h3>
<p>A high school diploma or its equivalent is typically the minimum requirement for admission into associate's degree programs in electronics engineering technology. Some admissions committees may ask that you've completed minimum educational requirements in English, mathematics, science or computer science. You can also expect to submit standardized test scores.
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<h3 id="section---WhatAreMyCareerOptions">What Are My Career Options?</h3>
<p>One common career path for graduates is as an electronics engineering technician. In this profession, you aid electronics engineers by helping to conceptualize, build, test and produce electrical equipment. You could work on communications equipment, navigation devices, computer hardware or healthcare equipment. Possible job duties include creating equipment specifications, running diagnostics on new machines, repairing damaged electronics or evaluating the performance of devices.
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<p>However, you could pursue other, related careers as well. For example, you could find work as a research and development (R&D) technician, quality control specialist, installation technician, production manager or technical representative.
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<h3 id="section---WhatIsTheJobOutlookAndPay">What Is the Job Outlook and Pay?</h3>
<p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected an employment growth of two percent for electronics engineering technicians between 2019 and 2029 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS attributes this to foreign competition. According to the BLS, electronics engineering technicians earned a median annual salary of $67,550 in May 2020.</p>