Online electrician degrees covers all of the basics that students need to begin a career. Courses cover areas such as math and science, to make sure students have a foundation to complete career related study. Students examine Electrical Theory, which includes basic circuitry and the scientific foundations of electricity. Electrical Load Calculations help students understand how to set load capacities when an electrical system is installed. Grounding and Bonding teaches the process of grounding electrical components to prevent transferring voltage to individuals.
If you're interested in installation or repair, you will be able to secure work with a two year associate's degree. Remember that most larger companies need to see a certification or license before they hire you. For a career in electrical engineering, a bachelor's degree or higher is necessary. Diploma programs are for students who want to extend knowledge of a particular area and are not as intensive as a bachelor's program.
An Electrician's Certificate of Competence (CE) license will qualify you to start your own operation. Certification and licensing is usually done on the state level, so online courses are designed to give you enough information to help you pass the state test. There are very few resources to get you certified online but there are courses designed specifically for the certification test. Because there are national electrical codes, these courses give you the basic information to pass the exam in your state.
Online programs don't have the same overhead costs of on campus universities, so per credit hour costs are lower. Certificate programs tend to be less than full associate or bachelor 's degrees because they involve fewer classes and online students sometimes pay by the class. If the program you choose also has a physical campus, your per credit hour amount will be less. Because many online programs are "for profit", the schools work very hard to secure financial aid to incoming students.