Online Schools to Become an Electronics Technician: How to Choose

If you are a technical person who enjoys hands-on work, a career in the electronics field may be a good fit. The job of an electronics technician combines technical expertise and customer service savvy. Degrees such as an Associate of Applied Science - Electronics Technician or an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics and Computer Technology can be earned online. Some study materials and exam options for certification are also possible online.

How Do Electronics Technician Courses Work?

The virtual classroom for an electronics technician program will typically consist of a syllabus, course materials, videos and demonstrations, lectures presented online and the ability to chat with professors and other students; group projects may even be included in the requirements. Hands-on work and experiments will be done at home, possibly with the help of kits or equipment that is required. Access to online library resources and academic and career advice are also possible, and exams can be taken 24 hours a day.
Online electronics degree programs give students the freedom to learn at their own pace and use repetition to cement a concept in their minds or to repeat a lab or experiment until it is successful. Aspiring electronics technicians who can't fit a traditional on-campus degree into their life can mold a flexible online degree to their own schedule, since courses are typically asynchronous, meaning they can be started at the students' convenience rather than on a specific start date.

Courses to Look For

Courses that train students in electronics will often include hand-on work, so students should seek out a program that offers technical assistance even during evenings and weekends. Typical subjects covered in a 2-year degree include:

• AC and DC circuits
• Networking and Routing
• Math
• Circuit boards
• Digital systems and components
• Software and hardware
• Sensors and transformers
• Troubleshooting

Other Considerations

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), electronics technicians and electrical technicians together make up about a third of workers in the field of engineering technology (www.bls.gov). The BLS projects slow growth in the occupation for the 2008-2018 decade; the best opportunities are available to those with at least an associate's degree.
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) predicts slow growth in this field during the 2008-2018 decade, the Association for Career and Technical Education identifies electronics technicians as one of 340 occupations suited for green careers (www.acteonline.org). Electronics technicians, for example, are among the top occupations recruited through the green registered apprenticeship program offered through Iowa Workforce Development.
Since job openings may be scarce in this field, choose an online training program carefully with an eye toward qualifying for certification by groups such as the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) and the Electronics Technicians Association International (ETA). Both organizations test knowledge and skills that may have been gained either on the job or through coursework, and an earned degree is not a requirement or prerequisite of certification.
Both groups offer their certification exams and study materials online. The ETA offers certifications for green technology, as well.