Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Electrical Engineering

There aren’t many associate degrees that allow you to take things apart, analyze how they work, and then put them back together again. For people who love gadgets and working with their hands, it doesn’t get any better than this.

If this sounds like you, then you might want to think about getting an electrical engineering associate degree.

What Is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineers work with all kinds of electrical devices. They understand the complicated aspects of electricity, and how it can be generated and controlled in electronic equipment.

For instance, as an electrical engineer you could work in a huge power station designing better, more efficient systems and ensuring that things keep running properly.

Or, you could work for a company that makes GPS units. You could develop new uses for this technology, or implement new features that make its use applicable to more people.

Electrical engineering is an incredibly diverse field, and to get into this industry you’ll have to start by getting your electrical engineering associate degree.

What You’ll Learn In An Electrical Engineering Associate Degree Program

Your associate degree is going to train you in the basics of electrical engineering. This will allow you to get your foot in the door in a lot of companies.

Some of the classes you can expect to see in an electrical engineering degree program include:

DC and AC circuits
Computer Applications
Electrical Machines
Microprocessors
Analog Electronics

So, all you engineers out there better bust out your pocket protectors and mechanical pencils because for you, this degree will be non-stop tech fun.

Careers With An Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering

Remember when we said that electrical engineering was a diverse field?

Well, we weren’t kidding. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that electrical engineers work in dozens of different sectors including the auto industry, the aerospace industry, the airline industry, national defense, commercial contracting, the private sector, and much, much more.

No matter where your interest lies, chances are pretty good than an associate degree in electrical engineering can take you there.

While you can find a job with an electrical engineering associate degree, you’ll earn much more, and have more opportunities for advancement, if you stay in school and get your Bachelor’s degree in this field.

Starting salaries for electrical engineers with a Bachelor’s degree is around $55,000, according to Payscale.com.

Payscale.com points out that breaking into this field is a bit challenging, which is why beginning engineers don’t earn more.

But, if you stick it out until your fifth year, your salary goes up dramatically. Electrical Engineers with 5 years experience earn, on average, $70,000. So if you can stick out that first “rough phase”, it will definitely pay off.

Electrical engineers can expect steady job growth through 2016, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Again, finding your first job might be challenging, but that’s the only major hurdle you’ll have to cross. If you can find a position where you’re doing work you love then you’re golden, because the longer you stay and the more experience you obtain, the more money you’re going to make.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information