Have you ever used a smartphone or used GPS navigation while driving somewhere? If so, an electrical engineer can be credited for developing and designing these modern comforts.
Electrical engineers are experts with experience in electronics, electromagnetism, and related subjects.
They create technologies that people use every day.
It’s critical to understand a skilled professional’s criteria and costs if you’re pursuing an electrical engineer.
You need substantial on-the-job training, a degree, and a license to become an electrical engineer.
Knowing each step might help you navigate your professional path efficiently if you’re thinking, “How long does it take to become an electrical engineer?”
This article addresses the question: how long does it take to become an electrical engineer? Continue reading to find out more about the procedure and time frame.
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What is an Electrical Engineer School like?
The study of electrical systems, devices, and circuits includes everything that consumes electricity and has a plug or a motor, including communication systems, cars, computers, manufacturing controls, and more.
The high-tech products that electrical engineers produce improve humans’ lives.
Examples of such equipment include cell phones, power plants, turbines, valves, pumps, and sensors.
The best place to start is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
The College of Science and Engineering at Houston Baptist University is where students can earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and degrees in cyber engineering and computer science.
Students majoring in electrical engineering collaborate with their peers and lecturers to develop and construct electrical and electronic systems used in industrial and commercial settings.
Fundamental knowledge and skills in mathematics (such as calculus and linear algebra), physics, basic engineering, and computer programming are covered in the first two years of the Electrical Engineering major, and students have the chance to put this knowledge and skills to the test through a series of Electrical Engineering projects.
In their second year, students who major in electrical engineering also study principles related to electrical circuits, electronics, microprocessors, and computer systems.
Students studying for a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering acquire crucial ideas in embedded systems, control systems, and communication systems in their junior and senior years.
Knowing each step might help you navigate your professional path efficiently if you’re thinking, “How long does it take to become an electrical engineer?”
Advanced elective courses in digital forensics and cybercrime, wireless and mobile security, reverse engineering, and access control logic are available to Electrical Engineering students.
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Is Attending Electrical Engineer School Worth it?
For electrical engineers, there is a high demand in the market for qualified experts with knowledge of both classic and developing themes in the field, so a graduate engineering degree is precious.
Employers in electrical engineering seek applicants with a strong blend of technical, problem-solving, and communication skills because their field prides itself on outstanding performance.
Engineers can get more general knowledge and delve deeper into technological expertise by earning a master’s degree.
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer? Statistically, the number of graduate students who have received a master’s degree has doubled in the last two decades.
With the BLS showing that the unemployment rate for professionals with a master’s degree is lower than the national average, a master’s degree is also a strong indicator of future job security.
What Schooling Do you need to Become an Electrical Engineer?
Here are some of the schools that can help one become an electrical engineer:
1. Arizona State University.
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer? The online bachelor of science in engineering in electrical engineering offered by Arizona State University illustrates a four-year degree program.
Students in this ABET-accredited, four-year program can concentrate on electrical power and energy systems.
There are 120 credits in the program. Introduction to engineering, digital design foundations, signals and systems, computer organization and assembly language programming, circuits, random signal analysis, and laboratory design are among the courses students in this program take.
2. Bucknell University
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer? The bachelor of science and master of science in engineering programs at Bucknell University are examples of five-year dual degree programs.
This program is distinctive since it provides fifth-year students with a full-tuition scholarship.
For their master’s level study, students have various options, including electrical engineering.
After finishing their bachelor’s in science, students in this program graduate with an MS degree in just one year.
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3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
Anyone pursuing an electrical engineering degree should research the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Cambridge is home to the reasonably sizable private, non-profit institution known as MIT.
MIT is a top college overall nationwide, according to Best Colleges.
In the most recent year, MIT awarded this degree to roughly 173 electrical engineering students.
Students majoring in electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn $55,802 more than the average EE student.
4. Stanford University
Any student with an interest in electrical engineering should investigate Stanford University.
The university is a private, non-profit university with a sizable student body in the Stanford suburb.
Stanford is a top-tier university overall nationwide, according to Best Colleges.
Stanford’s most recent data year shows that roughly 259 electrical engineering students received degrees in that field.
Graduates with an electrical engineering degree from Stanford University earn an average of $58,626 more than other electrical engineering graduates.
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5. University of California-Berkeley
For those seeking a degree in electrical engineering, the University of California-Berkeley is a solid option.
A public institution with a sizable student body, UC Berkeley is situated in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.
In terms of overall quality, this university comes third out of 170 colleges in California.
In the most recent year, UC Berkeley awarded this degree to about 730 electrical engineering students.
After graduation, the University of California, Berkeley’s electrical engineering school graduates earn $51,987 more than the average graduate in this industry.
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How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed Electrical Engineer?
The steps required to become an electrical engineer are largely the same everywhere.
Those interested in a profession in electrical engineering should consider taking the necessary measures and how long it takes to become an Electrical Engineer.
Step One: Graduate from High School (Four Years)
How long does it take to become an Electrical Engineer? It takes about four years.
Obtaining a high school diploma or, in the lack of one, a GED is the first requirement for becoming an electrical engineer.
This is a crucial step because obtaining a high school diploma or a GED is a requirement for almost any college or university entrance.
High school students should enroll in as many math, science, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses as they can.
Step Two: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Four to Five Years)
How long does it take to become an Electrical Engineer? Students should apply to and enroll in an electrical engineering program at a two-year college or a four-year university or college after finishing high school or receiving a GED.
Some two-year institutions offer PREP (pre-engineering programs) to better prepare students for four-year degree programs, emphasizing core STEM courses at lower tuition costs.
In order to qualify for a PE license after finishing a PREP program at a community college, students should think about enrolling in a four-year college or university engineering program that ABET has accredited.
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Step Three: Get Professional Experience (Timeline Varies)
Electrical engineering majors may want to acquire volunteer or paid work experience in the industry while in college or university.
While it is clear that this is not necessary, knowing what to anticipate in the future and being ready for the rigors of the job might aid students.
For students in ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering programs, many internship opportunities are offered before graduation or in the fourth year of five-year dual degree programs to give them practical experience.
Step Four: Enroll in a Master’s Degree Program in Engineering (One to Three Years)
Earning professional experience following a four-year undergraduate degree, enrolling in a five-year BS/MS dual-degree engineering program, or enrolling in a joint MBA/MSE program are some frequent routes to a master’s degree program in engineering.
Step Five: Earn Professional Engineer Licensure (Four or More Years)
How long does it take to become an Electrical Engineer? An individual can start working as an electrical engineer after completing a four- or five-year program and receiving their degree.
An individual can apply for a professional engineer license after four years of working for a licensed PE and fulfilling other requirements.
How Much Does it Cost to become a licensed Electrical Engineer?
One of your main considerations when deciding which college to attend will be the expense of earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. And it ought to be.
Electrical engineering school will undoubtedly be expensive in terms of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. If you don’t adequately prepare for it, you could fail to earn your degree.
In addition to these prices, you must also consider the costs of your expenses, such as housing, food, and transportation.
Although there are ways for you to lower them significantly, they won’t be cheap.
Whether you attend a public or private university will determine how much you have to pay in tuition and fees to earn your electrical engineering degree.
If you attend a college or university in your home state, public schools provide in-state students tuition fee discounts, considerably reducing your overall college costs.
Private colleges, which charge the same tuition to all students, do not offer this benefit.
The price of earning an electrical engineering degree will vary greatly, as you might have imagined.
Depending on where you attend school, the annual costs for tuition, fees, books, supplies, lodging, and the board can range from $13,000 to more than $60,000 per student.
The average tuition and fee for public schools are $8,893 for in-state students and $22,203 for out-of-state students, according to data from The College Board.
Private, not-for-profit institutions, meanwhile, typically charge a total of $30,094 for tuition and fees.
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer? The College Board data also showed that the annual cost of room and board for all students at a public four-year university is $9,498, while the cost is $10,823 for students attending a private institution.
Searching for an online school is one approach to reducing the costs related to earning a degree in electrical engineering.
This degree can be earned online, which has many financial benefits.
First, you can keep working and earn money to pay for your degree simultaneously.
As a result, you won’t have to be concerned about getting student loans to finish your degree.
Second, since you can pursue your degree anywhere, you won’t need to worry about moving close to the electrical engineering school’s campus.
The cost of room and board will be significantly reduced by living with mom and dad at this time.
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Salary and Job Outlook for Electrical Engineer After Study
Salary
According to the BLS, the national average yearly compensation for an electrical engineer is $101,600, roughly double the average annual wage for all occupations, $51,960.
The location of an electrical engineer has a big impact on their pay.
The state where electrical engineers make the least money earns nearly $20,000 less than the national average.
The average income for electrical engineers in the state with the highest pay is only $8,000 more than the national average.
Job Outlook
Electrical and electronics engineers’ total employment is expected to increase by 3% between 2021 and 2031, which is slower than the average for all occupations.
Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 20,100 opportunities for electrical and electronics engineers, notwithstanding the modest expansion in employment.
Most of those positions are anticipated to be caused by the need to replace workers who change careers or leave the workforce due to retirement.
Some employment growth is anticipated as businesses continue to rely on engineers’ knowledge for projects involving electronic devices and systems.
These engineers are anticipated to play significant roles in creating cutting-edge communications, solar panels, semiconductors, and consumer electronics.
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Conclusion
It is quite interesting to choose a career path that requires little time to complete, such as electrical engineering.
It takes about 4-5 years to become a certified electrical engineer, although you can still engage by furthering at the master’s level just to become a master in your field.
However, how long it takes to become an electrical engineer is a question most likely asked by people aspiring to become one.
This career path is just for a few years and also creates room for those who chose this career path to engage in other activities.
It is crucial to follow the right procedures, make a goal-setting strategy, and be committed to realizing your ambition of being an Electrical Engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an Electrical Engineer? Although studying electrical engineering can be challenging in those 4-5 years, the effort may be worthwhile.
This can be the best career route to consider if your interests are in mathematics and how it can be used to address problems and discover answers for your community in daily life.
Knowing each step might help you navigate your professional path efficiently if you’re thinking, “How long does it take to become an electrical engineer?”
You must also have a solid foundation in mathematics and science to pursue a degree in electrical engineering (especially physics).
Don’t be discouraged; many courses will begin with a few foundational modules to ensure this prior knowledge is up to the necessary level.
Electrical engineering offers a wide range of job opportunities in India.
With the increased use of electricity and electrification, there is an increasing need for more electrical engineers.
Electrical engineers get a relatively high wage compared to various other professions.
An electrical engineer can earn $89,880 a year based on the national average for the United States