You can pursue a certificate or an associate degree in the electrical field at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. The school designed its electrical occupations certificate for careers such as industrial maintenance technician, self-employment in wiring work, electrical inspector and utility company employee. Students spend 80 percent of their time doing hands-on work in the certificate program, which takes four semesters to complete. Certificate holders can move on to achieve an associate degree in electrical technology. This program prepares students to work as electrical laboratory technicians, electrical layout facilitators, industrial maintenance workers and electronic equipment troubleshooters. The associate degree program encompasses an additional four semesters.
Located in Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in electrical technology. Students learn about electrical wiring and how to read blueprints. They also receive instruction in analog and digital electronics, as well as industrial control systems. The college says its associate degree program prepares students to work as equipment installers, field engineers, and electrical/electronic technicians. Lehigh Carbon Community College also has a certificate program in electrical technology that can be applied toward an associate degree.
Those who envision themselves scaling utility poles to service electrical lines may want to check out the educational program offered by Reading Area Community College. It offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in electric utility technology that prepares students for careers as power company line workers. Students learn about transformers, power generation and transmission, electrical circuits and wiring systems. The program combines classroom instruction with laboratory work and field experience. It requires you to complete 68 credit hours over a 21-month period.
You'll need at least 69 credits to achieve an Associate in Applied Science degree in electrical construction and maintenance technology at Johnson College in Scranton. The program prepares students for careers as industrial electricians and in the maintenance of buildings, machinery and equipment. Courses include commercial wiring, residential wiring, advanced motor control circuits and advanced residential circuit installation. Students also learn about blueprint reading and the national electrical code.