*WANTED* Electrical Engineering degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by electrodud, Jul 10, 2010.

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  1. electrodud

    electrodud New Member

    Okay, found the forum, searched the site just a little bit. Can't find the info I'm looking for. So here is the question. Were can I get a "good" Electrical Engineering degree online? I've seen the MUST jokes. MUST...are you kidding me, thats just sounds tacky. The thought of my future employer checking there website to see if there legit, and having to close a pop up is a big turn down as well. The only other option I can find(after my not so exhausting 2 hour search) is Penn Foster.

    I'm very critical and a mean spirited skeptic, so please give me the dirt. I don't want to regret my decision. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

    And one more thought, please note the difference between Electri"cal" Engineering and Electr"onics".
     
  2. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

  3. raristud

    raristud Member

    All courses, except for the four labs, are delivered 100% online, through asynchronous instruction. Students typically complete labs during each of the four summers that they are enrolled in the program. Each lab is taught on campus with class typically held all day on five designated Saturdays.

    This program is accredited by ABET, Inc. (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology

    University of North Carolina Online: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology - Electrical: A Baccalaureate Completion Program program

    The Bachelor of Science, Electronics Engineering Technology degree is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET

    https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_of_Business_and_Technology/Technology_Programs/BS_IN_ELECTRONICS_ENGINEERING_TECHNOLOGY
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 10, 2010
  4. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    World College, It's DECT and I have heard a lot of good things about them. Just make sure you can use something from DETC.
     
  5. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    The original poster asked about online engineering degrees, and had good replies about (mostly) online programs. For a gold standard ABET accredited degree, I am fairly sure labs will need to be performed either at a local college or at the main campus of the degree granting school. [I did some of my courses that way back in the last century.]

    Questions about electrical vs. electronics - and engineering vs. technology degrees exist.

    Think of electrical power generation and transmission specialization as one extreme end of the electrical engineering spectrum, and micro-electronics circuitry on the other end of the spectrum, with a lot of other specialties in between.

    In the USA, the engineering field generally breaks down to three major employment categories or pecking orders: engineers, engineering technologists, and technicians with some major overlapping of duties.

    Engineering generally requires a BS in engineering (or related degree), and when dealing with public safety, state licensing as a ‘professional engineer’ (P.E.) in the state(s) where practicing engineering. Approximately one quarter of all engineers currently are licensed/registered engineers. Many work in industry and opt out of licensing/registration with an industrial exemption.

    An engineering technologist normally has a BS/BTech degree. Licensing/registration as a ‘professional engineer’ may be possible in about one half of the states, with some additional hoop-jumping. Also, a national certification program is available for certified engineering technologists.

    An engineering technician normally has a two-year technical diploma or AS/AAS/AATech degree. A national certification program is available for certified engineering technicians.

    Been there, done that - worked in each level of the engineering and technology pecking order. There are exceptions to the rules, and your experiences may be varied.

    BobbyJim, P.E.
     
  6. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    As you already surmised, MUST University is a totally fake school. A degree from there is not worth the paper it is printed on. Avoid it, and others like it at all costs.
     
  7. electrodud

    electrodud New Member

    I also should have said that I'm looking for a 2 year degree. Thanks for the sugestions.
     
  8. electrodud

    electrodud New Member

    I'm anticipating being able to attain a "Field Engineers" postion. The only college I can find with a 2 year degree is Penn Foster.
     
  9. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You are in search of a rare creature. An Associates degree in Electrical Engineering. After Penn Foster, the closest US degree I found was the DETC accredited prgram in ElectrONICS from Cleveland:

    Online Distance Learning or Education - Cleveland Institute of Electronics

    There might be others if you're willing to go outside the USA. Otherwise, you might be in a position of having to trade up to a Bachelors degree program. That might offer other possibilities.
     
  10. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    OK so that is a different animal than what I responded to initially. What you need to search for are 2 plus 2 programs. Many community colleges have articulation agreements with 4 year schools so that an graduate can matriculate to the 4 year school directly in to a bachelors program.

    There are plenty of electrical/electronic engineering technology associates programs available.

    Can you define what you anticipate doing as a "field engineer"?

    Can you clarify your electrical versus electronic comment? What do you see as the duties or differentiation?
     
  11. electrodud

    electrodud New Member

    I anticipate making calculations, checking materials for feasablility and suitability, marking up prints, re-drawing prints, making prints, making estimates, acting as a field rep for the higher qualified engineers.

    As far as electronics VS electrical, electronics deals with circuitry in electronic devices ie; cell phones, radios, computers, amplifiers. Where as electrical deals with construction of facilities from nuculear plants to trailer park homes and all of the systems from data lines, fire alarm systems, to the high voltage lines feeding the facility.

    The thing that iritates me is that when I look at Penn fosters program, is that I have done every thing in there cirriculum, either in 3 years of high school electronics, 4 years of algebra, or in my 5 year IBEW apprenticeship. I guess thats my fault for not persuing a degree much sooner.

    I would like to gain some new ground but right now I'm looking for a quick fix to being stuck in this master electrician rut. Which right now has me working in a very far away land. Thats the reason for the online degree. I'm anticipating a much higher pay potential as well. I'll keep clicking along for options and search for 2 plus 2 , but for right now it seems Penn foster will at least give me the paper I need to get the job I'm looking for.
    Thanks guys for the advice :cool:
     
  12. NutsAboutGolf

    NutsAboutGolf New Member

    Anyone know if any of these college would accept most or all credits from a B.S.B.A at Columbia Southern University, a nationally accredited college?
     
  13. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    getting there quick and cheap

    Electrodud, if you are trying to get there as quickly and cheaply as possible, I would start with the local community college. They may have a policy allowing adult electronics technology students to take departmental challenge exams, and maybe you can test out of the basic courses in electrical and electronics technology. NOTE: usually, even if you have CLEP, ACE and/or military credits, a community college will require you to take at least 15 semester hours in your major with them.

    You should also check with your union (if you are in a union) and see if they have some insight into which colleges allow credit for apprenticeships.

    Also check the ACE ( acenet.edu ) database for apprenticeships and examinations that can be transcribed as college credits. If you do not find your apprenticeship in the list, email ACE to see if it was evaluated in the past or if they could do so in the future.

    ACE also lists some testing options, if you think you can qualify. They list the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) examinations where you can validate some of your experience. If I read the acenet.edu description correctly, you could get at least 3 and possibly up to 15 semester hours of college credit in electronics if you passed all of their specialty exams. Just search the acenet.edu website for “International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians”. The ‘Consumer Electronics Association’ also has Certified Electronics Technicians exams, but they may be considered duplicate credit if you pass the ISCET exams.
     
  14. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

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