ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
Associate in Science
Program Details
This certification program presents a broad range of topics that will enable students to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to install, maintain and troubleshoot a variety of electrical and electronic control systems. These include residential wiring, commercial/industrial wiring and cabling, national electric code, troubleshooting and maintenance, motor controls and programmable logic controllers. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and local industry awarded significant grants and resources to construct three (3) separate Cuesta laboratories: a state-of-the-art polyphase power and control laboratory, a computer and network cabling laboratory, and a large all purpose wiring laboratory. The program provides students with theory and"hands-on" practical experience related to all aspects of electrical, transformer, and controls technology. Prior knowledge of electronics and the electrical trade is not required: however, successful students will master the skills required for success in theelectrical trades and related electrical and electronic industries listed under "career opportunities". This program of study leads to the Associate in Science degree. As such, general education courses are required as described in the Cuesta College Cataloge. Intermediate algebra is not listed under the core technical courses because the mathematics requirement is considered general education for Associate in Science degrees. CALIFORNIA STATE APPROVED ELECTRICIAN PROGRAM:California law requires that any individual working for an Electrical (C-10) Contractor be certified as an "Electrician Trainee", "Residential Electrician" or "General Electrician" by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement ( per. 108-108.5 CLC). The Electrician Trainee Program in Cuesta's Electronic and Electrical Technology (EET) Department is the only fully certified non-union program within o ver a 100 mile radius of our main campus. Upon enrollment in one or more of the program courses, students will be able to immediately apply for their Electrician Trainee Certification number/card and legally work for contractors. After completion of the certificate, students will be eligible to take the California "General Electrician" and /or "ResidentialElectrician" Exam(s).
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
High school diploma/GED, Certificate after high school
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 50,020
- High salary: 126,610
- Average salary: 92560
Electricians
Certificate after high school, High school diploma/GED
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 39,430
- High salary: 106,030
- Average salary: 62350
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 51,290
- High salary: 126,690
- Average salary: 78690
All Careers in ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY (7)
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | High school diploma/GED, Certificate after high school | Rising | 92,560 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal and Track Switch Repairers | No high school diploma/GED, High school diploma/GED | Declining | 83,600 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | - n/a | Rising | 78,690 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | High school diploma/GED, No high school diploma/GED | Rising | 78,690 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | High school diploma/GED, Some college | Stable | 78,300 |
| Electricians | Certificate after high school, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 62,350 |
| Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | Certificate after high school, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 59,300 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Apply fundamental principles of mathematics, physics and chemistry to electrical and mechanical theory and problem solving.
- Develop broad based fundamental technical skill sets that will allow the electrical technician to adapt to many jobs and changing requirements of industry.
- Utilize theory and basic skill sets for operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting relevant applications and specific technologies needed to support local industries.
