How to Become an Electrician in University Mississippi
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near University MS. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of variables to examine. For example, many students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified some that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though location and cost are of importance, they are not the only things that must be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your final decision when selecting an electrician school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are available.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near University MS
There are several ways to obtain electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near University MS. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are brief summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Mississippi trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards individuals who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are offered by Mississippi junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Mississippi colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in University MS can undertake a multitude of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly assess general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician tech school that you pick not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in University MS
A possibility that you might have considered is choosing an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, internet learning can be a more accommodating alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from University MS are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be available online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Once you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to focus your school options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the University MS area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the University MS program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist University MS graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with University MS area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local University MS electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your University home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to some of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near University MS, verify that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near University MS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the University MS area.
MS
Choose the Right Electrician Trade School near University MS
Selecting the best electrician trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Every program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you choose is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in University MS.
Other Cool Cities in Mississippi
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
2 Reviews 