Electrical Technology Schools and Programs in The United States

Electrical Technology Studies in The United States

Electrical technology covers the practical side of electricity: installing and maintaining wiring, motors, transformers and control systems, working on power lines, and testing and repairing electronic equipment. It sits between the skilled trades and engineering. In the United States it is taught mainly at community and technical colleges, which, according to EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's advising network, offer two-year associate degrees as well as technical and vocational programmes. Some universities also offer four-year degrees in electrical engineering technology. SpainExchange lists 23 schools in the United States that teach electrical technology, most of them community or technical colleges.

How the programmes are organised

There are three main levels:

• certificates: short programmes focused on one job, such as line work
• associate degrees: two-year programmes such as the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS)
• bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering technology, which usually take four years

At Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, the Electrical Construction and Maintenance AOS covers residential, commercial and industrial installations, transformers, motors and motor control, and industrial electronics, with more than 750 hours of hands-on work by graduation. The degree counts as the classroom part of the state-certified apprenticeship for construction and plant maintenance electricians. The same college's AAS in Electrical Engineering Technology-Electronics prepares technicians for electronics, testing and manufacturing, or for transfer to a four-year institution. Bismarck State College in North Dakota offers an online Electric Power Technology programme focused on transmission and distribution, and a Lineworker programme leading to a certificate or an AAS that includes preparation for the state commercial driver's licence exam.

At bachelor's level, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) requires at least 128 credits for its BS in Electrical Engineering Technology. Penn State explains the difference from electrical engineering: technology focuses more on application and applied design, engineering more on theory and conceptual design.

Accreditation and licensing

Accreditation in the United States is voluntary and carried out by non-governmental organisations. For technical programmes the main body is ABET, which accredits individual programmes, not whole colleges. Both Hudson Valley's electronics AAS and Penn State's BS are accredited by ABET's Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission.

Working as an electrician is regulated by each state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most electricians learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, and graduates of technical school programmes usually receive credit toward it. Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed, with requirements that vary by state.

Admission, visa and costs

Community colleges usually have more flexible admission than universities, and teaching is in English, so colleges ask international applicants for proof of English proficiency. The type of programme matters for the visa. EducationUSA states that U.S. institutions cannot issue the Form I-20 for non-degree vocational training at community colleges, which offer such study as an associate degree; the F visa covers study at an accredited college and the M visa covers vocational study or training. In practice, international students should aim for an associate or bachelor's degree, and ask the college's international office whether a programme qualifies. On a student visa, work is limited: with permission, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees in 2022-23 were $4,000 at public 2-year institutions and $9,800 at public 4-year institutions. These are in-state rates; non-residents pay more.

Where to study electrical technology

Programmes are spread across the country, with no city having more than one school in this directory. Examples include community and technical colleges such as Hudson Valley Community College, Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, Nashville State Technical Community College, Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Central Ohio Technical College in Newark; and universities such as Penn State, Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, Morehead State University in Kentucky and Colorado Mesa University.

Careers

Graduates work as electricians, electrical and electronics technicians, power-line installers and in maintenance and manufacturing. BLS projects employment of electricians to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average, with about 72,700 openings a year. Employment of electrical power-line installers and repairers is projected to grow 10% over the same period; apprenticeships are common in that field too.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between electrical technology and electrical engineering?

Electrical engineering technology focuses on applying and implementing designs, while electrical engineering puts more emphasis on theory and conceptual design, as Penn State explains. Technology programmes include more laboratory work.

Can international students take a short electrician certificate in the United States?

Often not on a student visa: EducationUSA notes that U.S. institutions cannot issue I-20 forms for non-degree vocational training. Community colleges offer technical study as an associate degree, which is the usual route.

Do I need a licence to work as an electrician?

In most states, yes. BLS notes that most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed, and that requirements vary by state.

Is a U.S. electrical technology degree recognised abroad?

It depends on the country. ABET accreditation shows that a programme meets the standards of its profession, while electrician licences are granted by each U.S. state, so check the rules of the country where you plan to work.