If your future career plans include becoming an electrical engineer, you can start by attending one of the 13 schools in Arkansas that offer this program. Ten Arkansas schools have Associate’s degree options, while six schools offer Bachelor’s degrees. There are five schools with Master’s degree programs and four schools with PhD programs. One Arkansas school offers a certificate in this field.
Deciding which degree you want to earn is part of planning for your education. A certificate in electrical engineering can prepare you for assistant work in the field, while an Associate’s degree can get you ready for Bachelor’s-level coursework. In general, you can expect to earn a certificate in one year and an Associate’s degree in two years.
You need to have a Bachelor’s degree to become licensed as a professional engineer. Because of the heavy lab courses required for this degree, many students take five years to graduate. You earn 120 credits by completing courses like Electronic Circuits, Electric Power Engineering, and Communication Systems.
A postgraduate degree in this field can prepare you for managerial work or research in the field. You can earn a Master’s degree in as little as two years by attending school full-time. You earn 30 credits by taking courses like Solid State Devices, Advanced Integrated Circuits Technology, and Nanophotonics. A PhD takes about seven years to earn, depending on how long it takes you to write a thesis.
Tuition in Arkansas tends to be very affordable, both for residents and non-residents. The overall average cost is $5100 per semester. Even though tuition costs may be low, you can still save money by applying for scholarships.
If you live in one of the approved Arkansas counties, you may be able to apply for the Arkansas American Council of Engineering Companies Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded on an annual basis, but you must be a resident of one of the listed counties.
In Arkansas, all engineers must be licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. You must take the nationally-recognized Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which is offered every April and October. After passing this exam, you can apply for your license. You may begin working as an engineer as soon as you receive your license in the mail.