An electronic technician certificate is an academic award that trains you to understand how intricate pieces of technology work.
While this certificate program is designed to mold students into electronic technicians, it’s also common for graduates to use their skills in similar occupations. You can develop specialized expertise in understanding, dismantling, and reassembling intricate pieces of electronics and technology.
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Upon certificate completion, you may be prepared to fulfill entry-level electronics jobs in many different settings, including manufacturing and repair shops.
Online Electronic Technician Certificate Programs
Electronic technician certificate programs prepare students to become technicians who work with various electronic devices.
Unlike many bachelor’s in engineering online programs, many online certificate programs are specifically designed to provide you with an accelerated curriculum that allows you to study in a shortened period and enter the workforce as soon as possible.
Your coursework can help prepare you for various work settings. You can also become proficient in troubleshooting various technology-related problems. For instance, some electronic technicians work to repair machinery like fax machines, entertainment systems, and electronic circuits.
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In order to develop these skills, you’ll study a curriculum based on the foundation of electronic technology. This means you’ll study everything from series circuits to digital electronics. Online certificate programs also tend to be “learn-at-your-own-pace,” often allowing you to mold your curriculum around your schedule.
Some potential career paths related to this area of study include:
- Electronics technicians
- Electronics installers and repairers
- Broadcast engineer
- Manufacturing supervisors
- Test equipment specialists
While there are many subjects you can expect to study in electronic technician schools, some common subjects include:
- How to repair defective parts
- Types of electronic circuits
- How to reassemble equipment
For many students, a major benefit of these programs is that they’re very hands-on. As opposed to other curriculums, students can expect to spend much of their education learning through experimentation.
Electronic Technician Careers & Salaries
Electronic technician training can open the door for entry-level careers in highly technical fields. While most graduates pursue these certificates with the aim of becoming electronic technicians, there are other related career options as well.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of a range of careers related to the study of electronics.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Industrial Production Managers | $103,150 |
| Line Installers and Repairers | $74,530 |
| Avionics Technicians | $69,280 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,640 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers | $61,760 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers | $60,370 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $60,360 |
| Electricians | $60,040 |
| Computer Support Specialists | $57,910 |
| General Maintenance and Repair Workers | $43,180 |
A main component of these certificate programs is that they teach students to understand intricate pieces of technology. Their understanding of electronics aids in their ability to dismantle, reassemble, and troubleshoot various electronic devices.
Online Electronics Certificate Curriculum & Courses
Electronic technician schools provide students with a hands-on approach to education. Below is a list of courses you may take during a certificate in electronics program:
- Introduction to Technology: This course gives you a foundation in the practices and standards necessary to succeed in electronic-related fields.
- Introduction to Soldering: This course teaches you how to perform soldering tasks safely and responsibly.
- Introduction to Aviation Electronics: You can gain a foundation in the machinery that’s found in aviation.
- Introduction to Fiber Optics: This course exposes you to fiber optics maintenance and theory.
- Solid State Electronics: This course provides you with an overview of analog semiconductor devices and how they can be applied to electronic circuits.
- Material Applications: In this course, you’ll be introduced to blueprint concepts and how electronics technicians use hardware to mount support boxes.
- Electronic and Electrical Principles: This course will introduce you to Ohm’s law and parallel and combined circuits.
- Basic Electricity: This course introduces you to electrical safety and services.
- Security Systems, Access Control, and CCTV: In this course, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot and install call signaling systems, intrusion detection, security, and more.
- Electrical Wiring Principles: This course will give you a foundation in the conductors that can be found in electrical systems.
Ultimately, your curriculum will depend on your school and specific program as well as your choice of classes.
Admissions Requirements
The admissions requirements for an undergraduate certificate program are comparable to the ones you’d find for an on-campus or online electronics associate’s degree program. While they can vary from school to school, here are some common admissions criteria:
- SAT or ACT scores (not all schools require them)
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Letters of recommendation
- Online application form
It’s strategic to research the programs that you’re interested in to ensure that you meet their specific admissions requirements.
Accreditation
A postsecondary school can receive accreditation when a formal accrediting agency reviews the institution and determines that it provides students with a high standard of education. Regional accreditation is the most widely recognized type of accreditation.
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There are a number of benefits to attending an accredited college or university. A primary benefit is that only accredited universities can administer federal financial aid. Additionally, employers tend to favor graduates with an education from an accredited institution because it attests to their work ethic and the quality of their training.
Electronic Technician Licensure and Certifications
If you want to become a certified electronic technician, then you may want to pursue an electronic technician certification. There is a range of industry certifications that allow you to demonstrate your proficiency in various aspects of the field. Electronic technician certifications include:
- Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa)
- Basic Systems Technician (BST)
- Student Electronics Technician (SET)
Different certifications demonstrate mastery of various knowledge and skill sets in the electronics field. The type of professional certification that’s strategic for you to pursue may depend on your preferred career path or employer.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you require the assistance of financial aid to help meet the cost of your education, there are many opportunities you can explore.
The first option for many students is to apply for federal aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The most common form of federal aid is student loans. These loans do have to be paid back following graduation, but they often have lower interest rates.
You can also pursue scholarships or grants. These options often require you to complete an application and meet any additional criteria in order to be considered. Scholarship and grant opportunities can be offered by the federal or state government, your prospective school, and even outside organizations.
What Can You Do with an Electronic Technician Certificate?
An electronic technician certificate program teaches you how to maintain, repair, and operate many different pieces of electronic equipment. As such, most graduates enter careers that allow them to work with technology.
It’s common for graduates with a certificate in electronics to enter the workforce as electronic technicians. Related roles include electrical and electronics repairer and installer, instrument mechanic, test equipment specialist, manufacturing supervisor, and broadcast technician.
Through an electronics certificate program, you can develop the knowledge and skills to enter technical fields that require your specialized expertise.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electronic Technician Certificate Online?
Different electronic technician certificate programs can have varying credit hour requirements. In general, these types of undergraduate certificate programs take between 8 months and 14 months to complete.
Many of these programs allow you to go at your own pace. Enrolling full-time and taking on an accelerated curriculum could enable you to complete the program in 8 months. Many electronic technician certificate programs take place online, which allows for even greater flexibility. Ultimately, how long it takes to complete your program may depend on your chosen schedule.
Is an Electronic Technician Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an electronic technician certificate is worth it for many students. Today’s society is driven by technology and continues to be populated by new and emerging technological innovations.
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As technology continues to evolve, employers continue to need the expertise of professionals who can understand, maintain, and repair electronic devices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for installation, maintenance, and repair occupations is expected to grow by 6% over the next ten years.
Universities Offering Online Certificates in Electronic Technician Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Bismarck State College offers a certificate program in electronics technology online and on campus. Potential courses include Direct Current Analysis, Digital Electronics, and Solid State Devices. A background that includes high school algebra, physics, and computer literacy is recommended for admission. The program is designed to be completed in just 1 year, and online classes start in the fall and spring.
Bismarck State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The City College of San Francisco offers an Electronics Certificate of Accomplishment program at the basic and intermediate levels.
The certificate may be completed fully or partially online. Potential courses include Technical Mathematics, Measurements and Passive Circuits, and Active Analog Circuits and Practical Applications. The basic certificate program requires 11.5 units of courses, while the intermediate program requires 15.
CCSF is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
The College of Western Idaho offers an online course designed to prepare for the Certified Electronics Technician Examination.
Completing a 2 year electronics program or having equivalent work experience is recommended before beginning the course. The program offers open enrollment, and coursework is typically self-paced but is designed to be completed in 16 weeks. Materials needed for the course are usually sent from the college by mail.
CWI is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Hillsborough Community College offers an electronics technician certificate program primarily online but with some courses taught only on campus. Potential courses include Basic Digital Systems, Circuit Analysis, and Solid State Devices. The program requires 31 hours of courses, and credits earned may be applied to an AS degree in electronics engineering technology.
Hillsborough Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
MiraCosta College offers an Electronics Technician Certificate program online. The program typically offers open enrollment, and coursework may be self-paced. The program is designed to be completed in 32 weeks. Potential courses include Introduction to Electronics, Series Circuits, Measuring Instruments, Network Theorems, and Transistors and Thyristors.
MiraCosta College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
North Seattle College offers an Electronics Technology Certificate with coursework potentially being completed online. The program may be completed in 5 quarters of full-time study or 7 quarters of part-time study. The program is designed to be preparation for the Certified Fiber Optic Technician, Electronics Technician Certification, and CompTIA A+ Certification exams.
North Seattle College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The University of Houston–Downtown offers an Electronics Technician Certificate online. The program is designed to provide skills-based training working with electronic devices.
The program includes 24 interactive modules, such as Series Circuits, DC Measuring Instruments, Network Theorems, and Microprocessors. The program typically offers the opportunity to take part in laboratory experiments and projects while learning electronics theory.
The University of Houston-Downtown is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Massachusetts–Lowell offers an Introduction to Electronic Engineering Technology Certificate through a combination of on-campus and online courses. Potential coursework includes Calculus, C Programming, Electric Circuits, and laboratory options. The program typically offers open enrollment and is designed to be completed in 9 months.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Wake Technical Community College offers a 15 credit Basic Electronics Certificate both on campus and online. Potential topics include basic electronic devices, AC and DC basic circuits, and digital circuits. Courses may transfer into an Applied Associate of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology degree program at the college.
Wake Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Getting Your Electronic Technician Certificate Online
An electronic technician certificate allows you to focus on developing specialized skill sets for this type of role. Most online certificate programs can also be completed in less time than a degree program, allowing you to enter the workforce more quickly.
Throughout an electronic certificate program, you can gain the necessary knowledge and skills to work toward becoming a certified electronic technician. These professionals can find employment in a range of settings and work with a variety of electronic devices.
If you’re ready to take your education and career to the next level, you could start researching accredited institutions today to find the electronic technician certificate that’s right for you.
