How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in Electronics
Do you find the world of electronics to be fascinatingly complicated, in a good way? If it excites you when a family member asks you to help them fix their computer or how to use their phone’s features, then you may be the perfect candidate for an electronics associate’s degree. The field of electronics can be extremely profitable if you know what you are doing. With that said, getting an associate’s degree in the subject will be a perfect way to get your foot in the door.
Because our entire lives revolve around electricity, this field is not expected to stall anytime soon. We rely heavily on cars, planes, refrigerators, computers, televisions, office machinery, and more in our day to day lives — both at home and at work. All of these items are just a small sampling of what we use daily. Needless to say, this growing field has plenty of potential for even more growth in the coming years as we rely more and more on technology to get things done.
An associate’s degree will give students a glimpse of what they can expect in the field of electronics. The classes are designed to give a broad and brief overview of the different topics that students must be familiar with when they go out into the working world. Those who decide electronics is their path and plan on pursuing higher education after earning their associate’s degree may have a higher chance for promotion or more competitive pay in the long run.
The associate’s degree typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. However, if you choose to earn your credential online, you may be able to complete it earlier. Depending on how many classes you can take per quarter/semester, you may be able to finish a lot quicker.
Super busy but still want to make time for education? Earning your associate’s degree in electronics online could be a great option. Distance learning can work really well for those who are motivated and independent learners. It is important to make sure that the college you choose is accredited so that the credits you earn can be easily transferred to a four-year college should you decide to continue your education.
By virtually attending classes online, you will have access to all course materials and participate in class discussions just like you would normally in a traditional classroom setting. By pursuing your degree online, you would be able to log into the classroom portal from anywhere and anytime to complete required coursework and exams. Students can easily communicate with other students and their professors via chat platforms and email.
Common Associate’s in Electronics Curriculum
Electricians must be well-versed in technology, science, and math. With that said, the classes that students will take will be centered around these topics, with an electrical application. As a student of electronics, you will get an in-depth understanding about the world of computers. Many of today’s electrical engineers work in the Information Technology field to help maintain and support large computer networks. These professionals have a full understanding of the inner workings of these machines, and are able to troubleshoot circuits that have failed.
Some specific coursework that students can expect to take at the associate’s level in electronics include but are not limited to:
- Introduction to engineering
- Circuit analysis
- Computer architecture
- Digital design
- Electronic design
- Introduction to web development
- Embedded microcontrollers
In addition to electronics related courses, you may also be required to take some electives before graduating. Some of these classes include art, history, math, science, writing, language, and social sciences, to name a few. These classes will help you develop a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in understanding real-life situations and succeeding in your job in the future. Many of these course requirements can be waived if you took AP classes and passed their respective exams in high school. If this sounds like it might be you, we recommend checking with your college counselor to see which classes you might not have to retake.
General education courses that electronics students specifically may have to take include but are not limited to:
- Problem solving concepts with C++
- Composition and critical thinking
- Introduction to chemistry
- Analytic trigonometry
- Foundations for calculus
- Differential calculus
- Integral calculus
- Differential equations
The specific classes will differ depending on the school you attend, but these should give you a pretty good idea of what you can expect.
Associate’s in Electronics Careers
The great thing about getting a degree in electronics is that after graduation, your career options are broad and plentiful. For example, if you love computers, you can work in that field of electronics. However, if you aren’t so into computers, you might look to become an electrician. Electricians help to make sure that homeowners and businesses have their electrical systems maintained. You can work for an electric company, or start your own business. It really all depends on your personal interests and goals!
The salary for a professional with an associate’s degree in electronics will differ greatly depending on specialty, location, education level, and work experience. For example, someone with an associate’s degree in electronics with a specialty in computers can expect to make $50,000 a year or more. An electrician, on the other hand, may expect to only make around $15 an hour starting out. The more experience you can, the higher your pay should get.
Depending on your interests and career goals, one or more specialties within the field may appeal to you most. It’s all about finding the one that is most interesting and fulfilling to you, and working from there. Getting started with an associate’s degree in electronics will help you get a better idea of what that is. Choosing where your passion lies will ensure that you will be on your way to a fun, exciting career that you look forward to everyday.
"...in the big picture, people with associate degrees make more than people with high school diplomas. "
"Many students enroll in a 2-year college with the intention of transferring to a 4-year college and obtaining a bachelor’s degree."
"...the more degreed-education you have, the less likely you are to be unemployed."