WGU Electrical Engineering (Degree Availability)
Western Governors University does not list a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in its published degree offerings. Its institutional accreditation does not make it an electrical-engineering program. If you need an electrical-engineering degree for a job or licensure path, compare programs that award that specific degree and check each program’s ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission status. Confirm current offerings before applying.
If you searched for WGU electrical engineering, the first question is simple: Can you earn that degree there? Based on WGU’s published offerings, the answer is no. That matters because a nearby-sounding major is not automatically a substitute for an electrical-engineering degree.
I help students sort out this kind of mismatch before they apply or transfer. Start by naming your goal: learning electrical engineering, preparing for a specific job, or meeting education rules for professional licensure. Those goals may lead to different program choices. The steps below can help you check availability, compare credentials, and avoid spending time or money on a program that does not fit.
WGU admissions and electrical-engineering degree availability
Degree availability means that a university lists a specific program and awards the named degree upon completion. WGU does not list a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in its published degree offerings. Check its current catalog before applying, since programs can change.
Because WGU does not list this degree, there are no WGU admissions requirements specific to electrical engineering to report. Requirements for other WGU majors, such as GPA rules, application steps, or transfer policies, should not be treated as electrical-engineering requirements.
Before paying an application fee or sending transcripts, confirm the exact degree title with WGU. Ask whether the program awards a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, rather than a degree in a related field. Save the written answer for your records.
A useful first check is to search the university’s official catalog, not only a search-engine summary or third-party college listing. Then confirm the result with an admissions counselor. A listing for a different WGU major does not show that an electrical-engineering degree is available.
Next step: Do not apply to a different major assuming you can later turn it into an electrical-engineering degree. First confirm the credential you need and whether WGU offers it.
Accreditation and engineering degree requirements
Accreditation is a review of a school or program against set standards. WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. That status is separate from program accreditation by ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission, often called EAC.
Institutional accreditation applies to the university. Programmatic accreditation applies to a particular program. So WGU’s institutional accreditation does not establish that it offers an ABET EAC-accredited electrical-engineering program.
If you compare other colleges, look up the exact program in ABET’s official accredited-program database. Check the school, campus, degree title, and accreditation commission. Do not rely on a general statement that a university is “accredited”; that wording alone does not tell you whether its electrical-engineering program has EAC accreditation.
ABET EAC status can matter for some employers, graduate programs, and paths toward professional engineering licensure. It is not the only factor in choosing a college, and requirements vary by state and career. If licensure is part of your plan, check with the relevant state licensing board before you enroll.
| What to verify | What it tells you | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| University’s degree catalog | Whether the school lists the degree | Whether a program has ABET EAC accreditation |
| NWCCU institutional accreditation | Whether WGU has institutional accreditation | That WGU offers an electrical-engineering degree |
| ABET program database | Whether a specific program is listed and its accreditation status | That the program meets every state’s licensure rule |
| State licensing board | Education rules in that jurisdiction | That a particular job will accept every degree |
Next step: Check program-level accreditation and state rules separately. They answer different questions.
Curriculum, academic preparation, and transfer credit
An electrical-engineering curriculum is a planned sequence of math, science, and engineering study. A conventional bachelor’s program may require calculus, calculus-based physics, engineering courses, labs, and a design project. Each college sets its own curriculum and entry requirements.
Since WGU does not list an electrical-engineering degree, it has no WGU electrical-engineering curriculum or degree requirements to compare here. For another school, review the course plan and ask which labs, projects, and upper-level classes are required. These details help you judge whether the program matches your learning and career goals.
Transfer credit is coursework a new college accepts from a prior school. The receiving college decides whether courses count toward its degree. A class that transferred into one major may not meet the requirements for another, even if the course names seem similar.
Before you transfer, request a written evaluation from each target program. Ask which courses count, which requirements remain, and whether any credits have time limits or other conditions. Do not assume that WGU credits, community-college classes, or prior work will transfer as engineering courses.
Next step: Compare course descriptions and degree maps, then get transfer decisions in writing before you commit.
How to choose an electrical-engineering program
A strong shortlist starts with the degree title, accreditation status, delivery format, and total coursework left after transfer. These checks help you compare programs on more than cost or convenience. They also reduce the risk of choosing a related credential that does not meet your goal.
Use this sequence:
- Define the outcome. Write down the job, graduate program, or licensure goal you are working toward. If you are unsure, ask employers or the state board what education they require.
- Find programs awarding the degree. Confirm that each college lists a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, not only a related major.
- Check ABET status. Search the ABET database for the exact program and campus. Confirm that the listing shows EAC accreditation if that is relevant to your plan.
- Review how the program is taught. Ask about in-person labs, online coursework, required campus visits, design work, and course schedules.
- Request a transcript review. Ask how your prior courses apply and how many degree requirements remain.
- Compare cost and time. Request a full estimate that includes tuition, fees, lab expenses, and expected time to finish based on your transfer evaluation.
| Student situation | Best first check | Main risk to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Starting a bachelor’s degree | Degree title and ABET EAC listing | Choosing a related major by name alone |
| Transferring credits | Written course-by-course evaluation | Assuming credits meet engineering requirements |
| Studying while working | Schedule, labs, and campus requirements | Finding required courses cannot fit your schedule |
| Considering licensure | State board education rules | Assuming one rule applies in every state |
| Comparing online options | How labs and design work are completed | Treating online format as proof of equal program fit |
Next step: Build a shortlist only after each program passes your credential and accreditation checks.
Decision scenarios: avoid a credential mismatch
A decision scenario shows how the same question can lead to different next steps based on a student’s goal. These examples are not claims about individual WGU students. They show how to check fit before enrolling or transferring.
Scenario 1: “I want to become an electrical engineer.” A student sees a technical program at WGU and wonders if it will lead to an electrical-engineering degree. The right first step is to confirm the exact degree title. Since WGU does not list that degree, the student should compare colleges that do and check their ABET EAC status.
Scenario 2: “I already have credits.” A transfer student has completed math and science courses and hopes to finish an engineering degree faster. The student should send transcripts to target engineering programs and request written evaluations. The receiving college, not the sending school, decides how those credits apply.
Scenario 3: “I need a flexible online option.” A working student is comparing online study with a campus program. The student should ask each program how it handles labs, design work, and required campus activities. A flexible format may help, but it must still meet the student’s academic and career needs.
Scenario 4: “I want professional licensure later.” A student plans to seek a professional engineering license. The student should ask the state licensing board about education rules, then check whether a target program’s accreditation fits that route. Requirements differ by jurisdiction.
Next step: Use your goal to guide the comparison, rather than choosing a program first and hoping it leads to the right outcome.
Career goals, licensure, and final checks
Career fit depends on the work you want to do and the credentials employers or licensing bodies require. Electrical engineering, engineering technology, information technology, and computer science are related in some areas, but they are different fields. A degree in one does not automatically replace a degree in another.
Before deciding, review job postings for roles that interest you. Note the degree names and experience they request, then confirm any licensing rules with the relevant state board. If a posting or board requires an electrical-engineering degree, do not assume that a different major will qualify.
For a professional engineering license, education is one part of the path. Exam and experience rules may also apply, and they vary by state. Ask the board for current requirements. If you are considering graduate study, contact the programs you may apply to and ask which undergraduate degrees and courses they accept.
The key risk is credential mismatch: finishing a program that is valid in its own field but does not meet the requirement you had in mind. Verify the degree title, curriculum, accreditation, transfer decision, and cost before enrolling.
Next step: Keep copies of catalog pages, accreditation results, transfer evaluations, and written guidance from licensing boards or programs.
Frequently asked questions
These answers focus on program availability and the checks that matter before you apply. Catalogs and rules can change, so confirm key details with WGU, the target college, ABET, or the state board that applies to your plans.
Does WGU offer a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering?
WGU does not list a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in its published degree offerings. Check WGU’s current catalog and confirm with admissions before applying, since program listings can change. Do not assume another WGU major is an electrical-engineering degree or an equivalent credential.
Is WGU institutionally accredited?
Yes. WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Institutional accreditation applies to the university; it does not mean WGU offers an electrical-engineering program or that a particular program has ABET EAC accreditation.
Is WGU’s accreditation the same as ABET EAC accreditation?
No. WGU’s institutional accreditation and ABET EAC program accreditation are different. To check an electrical-engineering program, search ABET’s official database for the specific degree program and campus. Confirm the accreditation commission shown in the listing.
Does WGU have electrical-engineering admission requirements?
WGU does not list an electrical-engineering degree, so there are no WGU admission requirements specific to that degree to report. Requirements for other WGU majors should not be used as a guide to admission at a different college’s electrical-engineering program.
Can I transfer WGU credits into an electrical-engineering program?
Possibly, but the receiving college decides whether credits apply to its degree. Ask each target program for a written transfer evaluation. Confirm which courses count, which requirements remain, and whether any credits have conditions or limits.
Is engineering technology the same as electrical engineering?
No. Engineering technology and electrical engineering are distinct credentials with different curricula and possible career uses. Whether one fits a particular job or licensure path depends on the employer and jurisdiction. Check those requirements before choosing a program.
Is ABET EAC accreditation required for every engineering job?
Not every employer uses the same hiring rules, and ABET accreditation is not a universal requirement for every engineering job. It can matter for some roles and licensure paths. Review target job postings and ask the state board about its education rules.
Can I become a licensed professional engineer with a non-ABET degree?
Rules depend on the state or jurisdiction, and education is only one part of licensure. Ask the relevant licensing board whether your planned degree and accreditation status meet its current requirements. Do this before enrolling if licensure is a goal.
What should transfer students ask colleges?
Ask for a written course-by-course review. Find out which credits apply to the electrical-engineering degree, what requirements remain, and whether required labs or courses must be completed at that school. Do not rely on a general estimate alone.
What is the safest next step if I want electrical engineering?
Confirm that the college awards a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, check the exact program in ABET’s database, and review your state board’s rules if licensure matters. Then request transfer and cost estimates before applying or enrolling.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
