Power Your Future with an Electrical Technology AAS Degree
As the electricity demand grows, so does the need for skilled electricians. The Electrical Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree at Iowa Lakes offers hands-on training to prepare you for a high-demand career in the electrical industry. Over five terms, you’ll gain real-world experience in power generation, electric motors and controls, renewable energy systems, HVAC controls, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
This comprehensive program at our Estherville campus emphasizes National Electrical Code (NEC) compliance across residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems. With an internship/practicum component, you’ll graduate with valuable on-the-job training, ensuring you’re job-ready upon completion.
Industry trends predict a 20% increase in the demand for electricians. Iowa Lakes equips you with the technical skills, safety training, and practical knowledge to meet this growing workforce need.
Explore career opportunities and wage projections through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Electricians Outlook.
Connect with an enrollment coach today and take the first step toward a bright future in electrical technology!
Find Your It!
Hands-On Training & Career Pathways
Comprehensive Electrical Training
The Electrical Technology AAS program at Iowa Lakes offers in-depth instruction in:
- Power Generation – Understand the principles and operations of electrical power production
- Electric Motors & Controls – Learn to install, maintain, and troubleshoot various motor systems
- Renewable Energy Systems – Gain expertise in solar and wind energy technologies
- HVAC Controls – Develop skills in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system controls
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) – Build expertise in automation and industrial process control
Real-World Learning with Industry Experience
Our program includes 2,080 hours of on-the-job training, contributing to the 8,000 hours required for apprentice electricians before taking the electrical licensure examination. With substantial industry partnerships, students gain real-world experience working under licensed Journeyman and Master Electricians, making them highly employable upon graduation. Graduates of the Electrical Technology AAS program are prepared for roles such as:
- Electrician Helper – Assist licensed electricians with wiring, installations, and troubleshooting.
- Industrial Maintenance Technician – Work in factories, ensuring electrical systems operate efficiently
- Renewable Energy Technician – Install and maintain solar and wind energy systems
- Electrical Contractor – Manage your own electrical business and projects
Program Details
Length
5 terms
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (76 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Training
Internship/Practicum
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
COM 753 – Technical Communications†
This course is designed to prepare students for the oral and written communication situations in the working world. The major areas of study include technical communication principles, oral communications, composing technical documents, and using Standard English. Writing projects require the use of a word processing program; therefore, computer experience is recommended.
ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
Electrical Theory I is an introduction to basic electrical theory and components that make up electrical circuits. Direct Current and Alternating Current will be introduced and basic laws for voltage, current and power relationships will be presented in lecture and laboratory format. Course content will include, but not be limited to basic circuits, electrical components and their applications. Hands-on reinforcement of theory covered during lecture is practiced in lab.
ELE 155 – NEC I
An introduction to the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 1 and 2 of the Code, including the structure of the Code, requirements of electricians, and basic wiring and protection.
ELE 181 – Residential Electric/Electronics Systems
This course is designed to introduce students to residential wiring. Discussion topics will include safety, planning, using residential building plans, calculating loads, and wiring methods. Lab settings will require the student to use hand tools and wire circuits. The National Electrical Code will be used in depth to determine the requirements used for residential wiring. We will be using hand and power tools in the labs for wiring practices and installations.
MAT 743 – Technical Math
Technical Math includes operations with real numbers, use of fractions, ratios, measurement conversion, algebraic equations, functions, geometry, and right angle trigonometry. Applications are designed around situations students may encounter in industrial settings
SER 114 – Blueprint Reading
Fundamentals, principles, and practices involved in producing and reading blueprints utilized in the different sectors of the renewable energy industry with a focus on basic blueprint reading.
SER 116 – Career Seminar
A study of the careers available within the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on analyzing renewable energy industries as related components of a dynamic system. Students will also learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, interviewing, and networking.
Term 2
BUS 102 – Intro to Business
The basic fundamentals of business. Basic business and economic concepts and terminology; management, marketing, finance, human resource management, accounting and other business areas.
ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
Electric Theory II consists of instruction that will build upon experience gained in Electric Theory I. Students will be introduced to advanced concepts of electrical theory.
ELE 156 – NEC II
A continuation of the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code, including wiring methods, materials, and general equipment.
Prerequisites: ELE 155 – NEC I
ELE 195 – Motor Control
This course discusses motor controls, components, operation, and service. Students will learn electric relay control of AC and DC motors along with troubleshooting motors in an industrial application.
ELE 354 – Commercial Electric/Electronics Systems
This course introduces students to commercial wiring. It begins with the planning of the commercial installation by using blueprints, layout, and calculations. They will be required to calculate load for branch circuits, feeders and the electrical service. Wiring methods, luminaires, motors and overcurrent protection will also be covered. The National Electrical Code requirements will be used and explained to understand how they are applied to commercial installations. The labs will consist of bending conduit and use hand tools for wiring methods and practices.
Prerequisites: ELE 181 – Residential Electric/Electronics Systems
SER 205 – Solar Energy Concepts
This class will introduce students to various solar energy concepts that a technician should understand while working on or around photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Prerequisite: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
Corequisites: ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II & ELE 195 – Motor Control
Term 3
ELE 946 – Electrical Technology Internship I
Students will complete job contact experience in their field of choice. A minimum of 432 job contact hours is required by this 6-credit course.
Term 4
ELE 158 – NEC III
A continuation of the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 5 and 6 of the Code, including special occupancies and equipment.
Prerequisites: ELE 156 – NEC II
ELE 226 – Electric Motors & Generators
Electric motors & generators is an introduction to types of motors and generators that are used today. The characteristics of Direct Current and Alternating Current motors and generators will be discussed and demonstrated through lecture and hands on laboratory sessions.
Prerequisites: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
ELE 234 – Electrical Maintenance and Safety
An introduction of the NFPA 70E® Electrical Safety in the Workplace and NFPA 70B® Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance documents. Technicians are required to do preventive maintenance on electrical equipment and to do it safely. These documents will be used to discuss how this is to be accomplished in the workplace.
ELT 309 – Digital Circuits & Systems
This course provides students with knowledge and understanding of digital logic circuit design and operation using integrated circuits. Studies include combinatorial logic circuits, flip-flops, arithmetic circuits, counters and registers, memory devices and logic families.
Prerequisites: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
ELT 732 – Introduction to Industrial Instrumentation
Comprehensive introduction to components, circuits, instruments and control techniques used in industrial systems.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
SER 117 – Estimating for the Trades
This course presents the skills required to organize and prepare an estimate for a trade’s project.
WTT 216 – Power Generation & Transmission
Power Generation and Transmission will serve as an introduction to the generation of electrical power with a wind turbine generator, moving that power through a local transmission system to a substation where a customer will purchase the generated power. This course will cover all aspects of working with components of a high voltage transmission system.
Term 5
ELE 242 – Programmable Logic Control Systems
Introduce students to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), primarily the Siemens S7-200 processors, the Siemens LOGO smart relay processor and the Bachmann M1 Controllers. The course will provide students with experiences in the following: Numbering systems associated with programming and addressing PLC’s Hardware and software familiarization associated with PLC’s Using programming instruction sets to create and edit ladderlogic programs Troubleshooting techniques using a PLCTroubleshooting techniques using a schematic and drawings
ELE 255 – NEC IV
A completion and review of the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of the Code, including special conditions, communications systems, and applicable tables to the Code.
Prerequisites: ELE 158 – NEC III
ELE 357 – Industrial Electrical/Electronic Systems
This class will deal with the wiring aspects and electrical components of industrial installations. Modern industrial plants require technicians to be knowledgeable in high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage systems. Systems from the substation, overcurrent protection, conductors, capacitors, and power quality will be discussed. Wiring methods and practices for hazardous locations will be taught in the class also.
Prerequisites: ELE 354 – Commercial Electric/Electronics Systems
ELT 493 – Industrial Networking and Data Acquisition
Foundational training in local area networking technology, protocols and installation procedures. Introduction to supervisory control and data acquisition for industrial networks.
Prerequisites: ELT 732 – Introduction to Industrial Instrumentation
MGT 101 – Principles of Management†
Principles of Management provides the student with a conceptual framework for understanding the basic theories of management. Emphasis is placed on the internal and external environment, ethics, planning, goal setting, decision making, organizational structure, motivation and group dynamics, and effective control mechanisms for establishing and accomplishing business objectives.
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Electrical Technology program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Install electrical components and equipment.
- Interpret electrical blueprints, diagrams, and schematics.
- Diagnose issues with electrical components and equipment.
- Employ electrical wiring codes and regulations in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
- Perform daily tasks utilizing electrically safe work practices according to OSHA standards and the NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
- Determine wiring for control, instrumentation, communications and power systems in residential, commercial and industrial applications.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Electrical Technology Associate in Applied Science degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Special Certifications**: Snap-on Multi-meter, OSHA 10, First Aid & AED, NFPA 70E Electrical Safety, Scaffolding, Scissor Lift, Skid Loader, Fork Life, Possible CDL
Accreditation: PSEP (Postsecondary Electrical Program) approved through the Electrical Licensing and Inspection Program, State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Department of Public Safety. Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, United States Department of Labor approved.
The Electrical Technology program at Iowa Lakes incorporates renewable energy training, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with solar panels and wind energy systems—a unique opportunity that prepares graduates for careers in both traditional and emerging energy sectors. With the increasing demand for green technology, our students are equipped with cutting-edge skills that set them apart in the electrical industry!
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
0.4%
Potential Careers
Residential/Commercial Electrician, Electrical & Electronics Repairer, Telecommunications Equipment Installer/Repairer, First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Operating Engineer, Construction Equipment Operator, Power
Distributor & Dispatcher
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$63,814
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$67,810
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Doug Zemler Assistant Professor, Electrical Technology Instructor & Coordinator 712-362-8376 | dzemler@iowalakes.edu |