Electrical Construction Technology IBEW
Business & Technology
Degree awarded: Associate in Applied Science
Program Narrative
Electrical construction involves the installation, wiring and testing of electrical equipment in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The work itself is both physically demanding and highly rewarding. It requires a strong working knowledge of wiring practices and electrical code, a basic knowledge of the equipment used in industrial processes and environmental control, and typically an electrical journeyman's license. In addition to a specialized diploma in Electrical Technology, Northampton offers an Electrical Construction Technology degree program in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW local #375) for students who wish to enter the profession as a skilled union journeyman.
We also offer a non-IBEW version of this associate's degree. See "Electrical Construction Technology" for more information.
Program Features
The Five-Year IBEW Apprenticeship Program offers qualifying applicants occupational education under the sponsorship of the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local #375).
Taught by Northampton's electrical instructors using our college-approved curriculum, IBEW apprenticeship students will complete thirty credits of Northampton's electrical construction technology coursework at the IBEW #375 facilities in Allentown, PA. Tuition for that course work is paid by IBEW's JATC.
The program provides an in-depth study of electrical fundamentals, wiring techniques, and the National Electrical Code applicable to residential, commercial and industrial installations. Students are prepared to sit for municipal and state journeyman electrician's license exams. The program also provides fundamental knowledge of a broad range of related technologies including HVAC, electronics, fiber optics, motor controls, and PLCs. This breadth of technical knowledge enables graduates to work on a variety of projects in construction, utility and manufacturing industries.
At the same time, apprentices carry out their on-the-job training requirements through Local #375 as required by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Students completing the technical classroom work and the other IBEW Apprenticeship requirements will then be qualified to work as a skilled union journeyman wireman in residential, commercial and industrial construction projects found in the electrical and teledata industries. The remaining course requirements for the associate's degree, including the General Education courses, can be fulfilled on Northampton's campus or through distance education.
Qualification to enter the IBEW-sponsored option requires acceptance into the Electrical Construction Trade apprenticeship program through the JATC at Local #375. Contact IBEW Local #375 at 610-432-9762 for more information on requirements.
All course work can be completed evenings on a part-time basis. Completion of the overall degree will prepare you to grow into positions of higher responsibility. It will also enable you to transfer all course work to the following online baccalaureate degree programs:
- B.S. Applied Management through Franklin University
- B.S. Industrial Management through California University of Pennsylvania.
Contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for further information.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
- Describe the operation and application of commonly used electrical components and circuits.
- Demonstrate a basic framework of technical vocabulary and symbols.
- Demonstrate the application of commonly used methods of circuit analysis and theory.
- Test and troubleshoot electrical and electronic circuits.
- Properly use test equipment including oscilloscopes, DC power supplies, function generators, multi-meters, high voltage testers, and megohmmeters.
- Record, interpret and analyze data.
- Interpret technical information in the form of architectural drawings, schematics, specifications, graphs and procedure.
- Use a lab notebook in recording relevant and necessary project information.
- Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrate written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrate skills in reporting, analyzing, and researching technical information.
- Appreciate the breadth and dynamics of the electrical construction industry and be prepared to adapt to changes.
- Properly interpret and use the National Electric Code to perform electrical tasks.
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the safety requirements involved in all phases of electrical work.
Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits
|
| First Year | ||
| ELTC 110 | Electrical Construction Technology I |
6
|
| ENGL 101C | English I |
3
|
| MATH 140 | College Algebra |
3
|
|
12
|
||
| Second Year | ||
| CISC 101 | Introduction to Computers |
3
|
| ELTC 120 | Electrical Construction Technology II |
6
|
| ENGL 151 | English II (Technical Writing Option) |
3
|
|
12
|
||
| Third Year | ||
| ELTC 230 | Electrical Construction Technology III |
6
|
| PHYS 101 | Physics I |
4
|
| ----------- | Technical Elective + |
4
|
|
14
|
||
| Fourth Year | ||
| CMTH 102 | Speech Communication |
3
|
| ELTC 240 | Electrical Construction Technology IV |
6
|
| ----------- | General Education Elective ++ |
3
|
|
12
|
||
| Fifth Year | ||
| ELTC 250 | Electrical Construction Technology V |
6
|
| ----------- | General Education Elective ++ |
3
|
| ----------- | Elective |
3
|
|
12
|
||
| Total Credits |
62
|
+ Technical Elective options:
ELTC 265
EMEC 105, 110, 240, 245, 281, 282
HVAC 101, 102, 104, 120, 121, 140, 150
ENGG all
WELD all
++ For the General Education Electives, students must select one course from the list of approved courses in two of the following categories: Arts & Humanities (AH); Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT); Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB). One General Education Elective must be taken in a Writing Intensive (WI) section.
- One course should be designated as Diversity (D).
Career Potential: Inside Wireman, VDV Installer/Technician, Residential Wireman