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Electrical Engineering

Bachelor of Science (BSEE)

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) program focuses on the theories, practices, competencies, tools, and technologies associated with electrical engineering. You will get both online classroom instruction and hands-on lab experience to help prepare you to excel as an electrical engineer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 4% job growth by 2022 for electrical and electronics engineers due to the engineer’s versatility in developing and applying emerging technologies. Because this program fills a market-driven educational need, earning your BSEE could give you a step up in starting a career in aerospace, telecommunications, defense, automotive, medical, construction, chemical, and more. Within a few years after graduation, you should be able to use your skills and knowledge in electrical engineering to:

Become a valuable contributor in their chosen field.
Continue life-long learning through advanced degrees, training, and/or professional development.
Advance in their chosen field to a position of increased technical, supervisory, or creative ability.
Develop a full appreciation of the importance of ethical practice and the ethical responsibility to the public.

Courses in the BSEE include foundations in math, computer science, and physical sciences. Course topics include:

Essential elements of analog circuit design
Fundamentals of circuit analysis - Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s law, etc.
International System of Units
Digital and logic circuit analysis and design in 6 main parts
Energy conversion and transport
Electromagnetic field theory
Passive microwave circuit analysis and design
Radar and RF signal propagation, transmission, and reception

Program Courses

The curriculum for this program follows industry trends to help ensure relevancy to today's marketplace. View all courses.

Note: The technology fee for the engineering courses (those with the ENGR and ELEN prefix) is $100/per course (covered by grants for military students). In addition, at-home lab exercises require you to purchase additional course materials which are estimated to be up to $12,000. These materials are not covered by the university undergraduate book grant.

Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:

an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

View learning outcomes assessment results.

Degree at a Glance

Number of Credits 127
Max Transfer Credits 90
Tuition Per Credit $270 | $250 with military grant
Program Length 4 years full time
Program Format Online | Monthly course starts
Program Director Colin Doyle
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Concentrations

Concentrations are designed to help you group courses together so you can further specialize in your field and pursue a more focused path to degree completion. You will be asked to select a concentration when you enroll in this program.

Explore the concentrations available for this program.

Communications

General

Mechatronic Systems

Admission Requirements

All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED).
Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

Need help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or info@apus.edu.

Materials Cost

As an engineering student, you will be participating in project-based, at-home learning lab exercises which require you to purchase additional course materials that range from $4,700 to $7,000 over the duration of the program (average cost is $6,000). These materials are not covered by the university undergraduate book grant and costs are subject to change.

You can view the materials required for individual courses in the ecampus under your Academic Plan.

Technology Fees

The technology fee for engineering courses (ENGR and ELEN) is $100/course. Estimated total technology fees for this program are $2,950, depending on the concentration you choose.

Note: technology fees are covered by grants for U.S. active-duty military service members, and for Guard and Reserve personnel when using military tuition assistance.

Undergraduate Tuition Rates

Per credit hour: $270 | $250 with military grant*

View Tuition and Fees Details

*To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, APU offers a tuition grant for U.S. active-duty servicemembers, Guard, Reserve, military spouses and dependents, and veterans that caps undergraduate tuition at the military TA limit. See all military-affiliated student benefits.

Paying for School

Because our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (the same as the Ohio State University, Univ. of Chicago, and U.S. Air Force Academy, to name a few), we can accept the following forms of financial aid and payments:

Ways to Save

Undergraduate Book Grant

Books are provided online at no cost if you are enrolled in undergraduate courses for credit. The undergraduate book grant is estimated to save $600 per academic semester* if you are registered as a full-time student.

Transfer Credits

Accelerate your degree completion by taking full advantage of our transfer credit options, including credit for your previous college courses, military service schools, American Council on Education (ACE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and prior learning experiences.

Employer Contributions

APU has educational partnerships with many employers and associations. Be sure to accurately enter your employer information when you complete our admissions application. Your employer might also offer a tuition reimbursement plan as one of your benefits.

*According to College Board Trends in College Pricing.

School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

This program resides in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) where more than 57 degree and certificate programs are available for students to find their area of interest ranging from space studies to environmental studies to IT and cybersecurity. American Public University is one of the few online colleges where you can work fully online to earn science and math bachelor’s degrees. Two of our bachelor’s programs (Natural Science and BSEE) are set up with full lab kits that are mailed to you to use at home. You won’t sacrifice hands-on experience with our online science programs! In addition, many of our STEM professors work to innovate their classroom, including Danny Welsch who uses video for you to learn from his virtual field trips.

The APU STEM program directors work with industry advisory councils to ensure that our students are prepared for the real world. APU also works with industry certifying bodies to ensure that our courseware meets the requirements of agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA) Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) and the DoD Directive 8570.1M Information Assurance Management (IAM).

At APU, we understand your need for flexibility because most of our students are working adult learners who balance school around work and other life commitments. This is why we offer 8-week or 16-week online courses that start monthly. Through an online virtual classroom, you’ll communicate with students and professors in forum communities as you work to complete your weekly written assignments on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. And with our mobile application, you can even work offline and upload your assignments when you reconnect.

We encourage you to browse the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math webpage to learn more about the school and to find a program that’s right for you.

If you're ready to move forward, we're ready to take you there.

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American Public University System, 111 W. Congress Street, Charles Town, WV 25414 | Toll Free: 877-755-2787

American Public University System (APUS) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, APEI provides certain services for the benefit of APUS, subject to APUS oversight and ultimate authority. Pursuant to a license, APEI may use APUS’s trademarks and other intellectual property in its performance of those services. American Public University System, American Public University, and American Military University are not affiliated with American University or the U.S. Military.