Are you thinking about a career in electrical engineering? If you are, there are four schools in South Dakota that can help you reach your goal. All four schools offer Associate’s degree programs. Three schools in the state award Bachelor’s degrees and Master’s degrees. Two South Dakota schools have PhD programs.
If you are on your first undergraduate degree, you may want to start with an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. An Associate’s degree requires the completion of 60 credits, which takes most people two years. This degree can prepare you for the coursework required in a Bachelor’s program.
A Bachelor’s degree program can prepare you for engineer licensing in South Dakota. This degree requires 120 to 130 credits, which you may be able to complete in four to five years. Some of the classes you may take as an undergraduate student include Fundamentals of Power Systems, Communication Systems, and Electronic Circuits.
Earning an advanced degree can prepare you for various career paths in this field. A Master’s degree only takes two years if you attend school full-time. You earn 30 credits in courses like Electromagnetic Field Theory, Nanoscale Transistors, and Nanophotonics. A PhD requires between five and seven years of work, depending on how fast you write your thesis.
Overall, the average cost of tuition and South Dakota is $9800. However, tuition at public schools in this state is significantly lower than the average. Some South Dakota schools also have reciprocity agreements with Minnesota, so you may be able to pay less if you are a Minnesota resident.
Many local engineering groups award scholarships every year. The South Dakota Engineering Society gives scholarships that are worth $1000 to multiple students. Another option is the Sioux Falls Community Foundation. This group funds scholarships in many different fields, including engineering.
To put your engineering degree to use, you have to be licensed by the Board of Technical Professions. This process includes passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and sending your scores to the board. Once your application is approved, you can look forward to receiving your license in approximately four weeks.