If you enjoy the field of technology, you may be interested in earning a degree in electrical engineering. This starts with a degree from one of the 18 engineering schools in Mississippi. Fourteen of these schools have Associate’s degree programs, and five offer Bachelor’s degree programs. There are four schools in Mississippi with Master’s degree and PhD programs.
Before you can start planning your education, you have to decide which type of degree you want to earn. An Associate’s degree is designed to give you a basic knowledge of engineering through lower-level courses. This takes about two years, as you have to earn 60 credits.
In order to become licensed as an engineer, you need a Bachelor’s degree in the field. This involves earning 120 credits in courses like Circuits & System Design, Digital Signal Processing, and Digital Logic Design. This may take you between four and five years.
If you want to research or teach in this field, you need to earn a Master’s degree or PhD. A Master’s degree is the shorter option, requiring about two years of full-time study. You must earn 30 credits in courses like Advanced Processor Architecture and Electromagnetic Field Theory. If you want your PhD, you can plan on spending between five and seven years in school.
In Mississippi, the average cost of tuition is $3300. There are many very affordable schools in the state. You may be able to save even more money by applying for scholarships and grants.
ASME is a national engineering organization that awards engineering scholarships all over the country. The Mississippi Engineering Society is a local group that funds scholarships for Mississippi students. You can also apply for federal scholarships and grants.
All licensing of engineers in Mississippi is done by the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. Before they will award you your license, the board requires you to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. After you receive your license, keep it current by completing 15 continuing education hours every year.