What Is Electrical Engineering Technology? (Degree Specs)
Electrical engineering technology (EET) is an undergraduate field that teaches you to apply electrical and electronics principles to real systems. Students learn through math, science, labs, and projects that may cover circuits, controls, power, or communications. Associate degrees often require about 60 credits and bachelor’s degrees about 120, but each program sets its own requirements.
If you are comparing college programs, the name alone will not tell you what you will study or what a degree will qualify you to do. Course plans, lab access, accreditation, transfer rules, and total cost all matter. I explain EET as a practical engineering-technology pathway: you learn why systems work, then develop skills to test, build, operate, and troubleshoot them.
The details vary by school. Treat credit totals and course examples below as planning guides, not guarantees. Before you apply or pay a deposit, check the institution’s current catalog and get important transfer or degree requirements confirmed in writing.
Electrical Engineering Technology: Program Types, Accreditation, and Admissions
Electrical engineering technology programs prepare students to use electrical and electronic engineering ideas in practical settings. They commonly lead to an associate or bachelor’s degree, but a program’s exact focus, course sequence, and career preparation depend on the school. Compare the specific degree plan, not just the program name.
EET is related to electrical engineering, but the programs may place different emphasis on theory and application. Electrical engineering programs often include more advanced mathematical analysis and system design theory. EET programs commonly emphasize applying principles through lab work, testing, installation, operation, and troubleshooting. These are broad patterns, not rules for every institution.
| Degree path | Common planning benchmark | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | About 60 semester credits | Whether courses transfer and whether the program prepares you for work, further study, or both |
| Bachelor’s degree | About 120 semester credits | Required upper-level courses, labs, capstone, and any internship options |
These totals are not universal. Quarter-credit systems and program-specific requirements can change the numbers. Ask for the current degree plan and the total credits needed to graduate.
Accreditation is a review of whether a school or program meets stated quality standards. Institutional accreditation applies to the college; programmatic accreditation applies to a particular program. If you are considering an ABET-accredited program, check that the specific EET program is accredited by ABET’s Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC). Confirm the campus and delivery format covered, and whether accreditation applies to your expected graduation period.
Also check the institution’s accreditation status through the accreditor or official records. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) provide ways to check recognized accreditors. Accreditation does not by itself promise a job, transfer credit, or professional license. Those outcomes depend on the employer, receiving school, or relevant state rules.
There is no single EET admission GPA or test-score cutoff for all colleges. Review each school’s current admission policy, placement process, and required documents. Separately ask what minimum grades or GPA you must earn in math, science, and technical courses, and what overall GPA you need to graduate.
Degree Curriculum, Credit Requirements, Prerequisites, and Capstone
An EET curriculum combines general education with math, science, and technical courses. The sequence matters because later classes may require earlier ones. A degree plan shows the courses, credit totals, and prerequisites you must complete; use the current catalog to confirm what applies to your program and starting year.
Students commonly study circuits, electronics, digital systems, measurements, and technical problem-solving. Depending on the program, courses may also cover electrical power, control systems, communications, or automation. These examples are not a universal checklist. Compare course descriptions and lab requirements to see whether the curriculum fits your interests.
| Requirement area | What it may involve | What to ask the school |
|---|---|---|
| Math readiness | Algebra and trigonometry; some programs require calculus | Which placement level is needed to start the first technical course? |
| Science | Physics or other science courses may be required | Is physics a prerequisite, a degree requirement, or both? |
| Programming | Some programs include programming or computing | Which language or tools are taught, if any? |
| Technical courses | Circuits, electronics, measurements, or other topics | How many courses include scheduled lab work? |
| Capstone | A final applied project may be required | What are the project rules and prerequisite courses? |
Algebra and trigonometry readiness is a common starting need. Calculus, physics, and programming requirements vary. Check placement rules before enrolling, since a placement result can affect which course you take first and how soon you can begin technical classes.
A prerequisite is a course or requirement you must complete before taking another course. For example, a program may require a math course before a circuit course. If a required class is offered only once a year, failing or postponing it can delay later courses. Ask an advisor to map your sequence before registration.
A capstone is a final project or course that draws on earlier learning. In an EET program, it may involve designing, assembling, testing, or documenting a practical system. The project and grading rules differ by school. Ask whether it is required, when you can take it, and what courses must come first.
Academic Success, Laboratories, Advising, and Student Experience
EET learning often joins classroom concepts with hands-on work. Labs let students collect measurements, test circuits, and compare results with expected behavior. The amount and type of lab work vary by program, so review course outlines and facilities before choosing a school, especially if applied practice is a main reason you want the degree.
For example, an introductory circuits lab might ask students to measure voltage or current in a circuit and explain differences between predicted and observed results. A later project might involve testing a control system. These are examples of possible learning activities, not promises about a specific school’s equipment or courses.
I encourage students to ask practical questions during a campus visit or advising appointment: How many lab hours are scheduled? What equipment do students use? Are labs on campus, online, or mixed? How are lab fees handled? A course list alone may not answer these questions.
Use advising to make a term-by-term plan. Ask the advisor to identify prerequisites, course availability, transfer limits, and the minimum grades you must maintain. Keep a copy of the degree audit, which is a record showing how completed and planned courses fit degree requirements. Check it regularly; do not assume a course will count toward a specific requirement without confirmation.
Before enrolling, compare the full cost, not just tuition. Use the school’s net price calculator to estimate costs after grants and scholarships, then confirm your aid offer and likely expenses with the financial aid office. Check renewal rules for grants and scholarships, including any required credit load or GPA. Ask about fees, books, equipment, and travel to campus or internships.
Career Pathways, Further Study, and Employment Outcomes
An EET degree can prepare students for technical work involving electrical or electronic systems, but job titles and duties vary by employer and location. Possible settings include manufacturing, utilities, testing, and technical services. Review actual job postings and ask programs for documented outcomes before assuming a degree meets a particular employer’s requirements.
| If your goal is… | Check before choosing a program |
|---|---|
| Technical employment after an associate degree | Which roles graduates pursue and whether local employers list this degree as an acceptable qualification |
| A bachelor’s degree after an associate degree | Written transfer evaluations, course equivalencies, and remaining degree requirements |
| Work in a specialized area | Whether required courses, labs, internships, or employer training are available |
| A role with licensing or certification rules | Requirements set by the employer, state, or certifying body |
An internship or co-op can add workplace experience, but availability is not guaranteed unless the school confirms it. Ask whether placements are arranged by the college, competitive, paid, or tied to academic credit. Review the application timeline and any prerequisites.
For further study, do not assume that every EET course will transfer to every engineering or technology degree. A receiving school decides how credits apply. Before enrolling in an associate program with a transfer goal, ask both schools for a written course evaluation or transfer plan. Confirm how many credits count toward the intended bachelor’s degree and which courses you may still need.
Employment data also needs context. Ask which graduates are included, how outcomes were collected, and whether the figures refer to all graduates or only respondents. A broad placement claim is not enough to judge a program. Compare evidence with your intended role, location, and education plan.
How to Compare EET Programs Before You Enroll
A strong comparison uses evidence you can verify: the current catalog, accreditation records, written transfer information, lab details, and a realistic cost estimate. No one factor settles the choice. Check how each program’s requirements fit your preparation and goals, then ask the school to clarify any unclear point before committing.
Use this sequence:
- Check readiness. Review math placement and find out whether you need algebra, trigonometry, physics, or other preparation before starting technical courses.
- Confirm accreditation. Verify the institution’s status and, if relevant to your goals, the EET program’s ETAC accreditation, covered campus, and applicable graduation period.
- Map the degree. Compare required courses, total credits, lab access, capstone rules, and course availability using the current catalog.
- Test transfer plans. Request a written evaluation from the receiving institution before relying on credits for a future degree.
- Calculate cost. Compare net price after aid, fees, materials, and any travel or housing costs. Review financial-aid renewal rules.
- Check outcomes. Ask for clear information about internships, graduate outcomes, and the method used to report them.
A short conversation with an advisor can prevent a long delay, but keep your own records. Save emails, degree audits, transfer evaluations, and the catalog version that applies to you. If a policy affects your cost or graduation date, request the answer in writing.
Conclusion: Choose the Degree Plan, Not Just the Degree Name
Electrical engineering technology is an applied undergraduate field that connects electrical principles with practical systems work. The right program depends on your learning goals, preparation, budget, transfer plans, and intended job. Use the school’s current catalog and written answers to confirm details before you enroll.
Start by checking accreditation and math placement. Then map prerequisites, compare total cost, and verify how credits will transfer if you plan to continue. These steps help you judge a program by what it actually offers, rather than by its title or a broad promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
These short answers cover common questions about EET degree length, courses, accreditation, and next steps. Requirements differ by college, so use them as a starting point and confirm details with the program’s current catalog, academic advisor, or financial aid office.
What does electrical engineering technology mean?
It is a field that teaches students to apply electrical and electronics principles to practical systems, including testing, operation, and troubleshooting.
How long does an EET degree take?
Time depends on the degree, course load, prerequisites, and course availability. Associate programs commonly plan around 60 semester credits; bachelor’s programs commonly plan around 120.
Is EET the same as electrical engineering?
No. The fields are related, but programs may differ in emphasis. EET often focuses more on applied work, while electrical engineering may include more advanced theory. Compare specific curricula.
What math do I need for electrical engineering technology?
Algebra and trigonometry readiness are common. Calculus requirements vary. Check placement rules and prerequisites at each school before enrolling.
Do EET programs require physics?
Some do, while others have different science requirements. Check the current degree plan and ask whether physics is needed for admission, a course prerequisite, graduation, or more than one of these.
How many credits are required for an EET degree?
About 60 semester credits is a common associate-degree planning benchmark, and about 120 is common for a bachelor’s. The exact total depends on the program.
What does ETAC accreditation mean?
ETAC is ABET’s Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission. Check whether the specific program, campus, and delivery format are covered and whether accreditation applies to your expected graduation period.
Will my associate credits transfer to a bachelor’s program?
Not automatically. The receiving school decides how credits apply. Get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling if transfer is part of your plan.
What jobs can I get with an EET degree?
Possible roles vary by employer, location, and degree level. Review local job postings and ask schools for clear, relevant graduate-outcome information.
Do all EET programs require a capstone?
No. Requirements vary. Ask whether the program includes a capstone or applied project, when it is taken, and which prerequisite courses are required.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
