Electrician

The electrician certificate program teaches basic skills for immediate entry into the job market, working with wiring, electrical equipment, and component installation. Courses are scheduled to allow students to maintain employment while attending classes. This certificate can be completed in two semesters and is stackable toward an electrical technology associate degree.

man working with wires
Suggested Degree Plan for Electrician Certificate
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
First Semester Details
ELE 100 Survey of the Electrical Trade Details 2
The course is designed to provide career information for an electrician. The type of work performed by an electrician, including working conditions, physical requirements, necessary mechanical aptitude, safety considerations, and other aspects, will be explained. Students will develop skills in the use of basic instruments, equipment, techniques, and hand tools. Electrical codes, blueprints, and electrical systems will be covered. 1 lecture hour, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
ELE 110 Introduction to Electricity Details 3
Course provides a comprehensive study of electronic theory, practices and fundamentals. Laboratory activities explore the underlying principles of DC and AC circuitry through measurement analysis and problem solving strategies. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
ELE 120 Introduction to National Electrical Code Details 3
An introduction to the national electrical code that will provide the student with a working knowledge of the requirements set forth nationally for practicing electricians.
Prerequisites: (none)
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various MAT Gen. Ed. Requirements (AAS) Details 3
AAS degree-seeking students must select at least one course from the listed classes.
MAT 100 Technical Mathematics Details 3
A course designed to cover mathematical processes and problems that relate to career, technical and workforce applications. Specific topics include fractions; decimals, ratio, proportion and percentage; measurements; and area and volume.
Prerequisites: (none)
MAT 109 Elementary Statistics Details 3
A study of the collection and interpretation of statistical data. Specific topics include description of sample data, probability, probability distributions, sampling, estimation, testing hypotheses, correlation, and regression. IAI: M1 902.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 113 College Algebra Details 3
This course is intended for students who plan to continue their college mathematics education or to meet college transfer requirements. Topics include advanced factoring of higher order polynomials; solving quadratic inequalities; advanced topics in relations, functions and their graphs; zeroes and graphs of polynomial and rational functions; and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 114 Trigonometry Details 3
This course is intended for students who plan to continue their college mathematics education or to meet college transfer requirements. It is the study and analysis of the sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent function; show these functions are used to solve many types of problems involving the sides and angles of triangles; and how these functions are used to solve many types of problems involving cyclic patterns, some that vary with time. Topics include definitions, properties and manipulation of trigonometric functions; applications of trigonometric functions; analytic trigonometry; trigonometric form of complex numbers; and polar coordinates, equations and graphs.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Details 4
A course designed to introduce the concepts of derivative and integral to the student interested in pursuing degrees related to engineering, science or mathematics. Specific topics include functions and graphs; slopes and rates of change; limit theory and continuous functions; formal differentiation; application of differentiation; integration; and applications of integration. IAI: M1 900-1, MTH 901.
Prerequisites: MAT 113 and MAT 114 with grades of "C" or above within one academic year, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 234 Calculus for Social Scientists Details 4
A course designed to introduce the business and social science student to the concepts of derivative and integral. Applications of these concepts stress the use of calculus to solve business and social science problems. Specific topics include relations and functions; algebraic functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; derivatives; applications of derivatives; advanced derivative techniques; integrals; advanced integration techniques. IAI: M1 900.
Prerequisites: MAT 113 with a grade of "C" or above within one academic year, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
Various Electives Details 3
Any credit-based course may be taken to fulfill this requirement. Students should always discuss with their advisor which electives would be best for them to take to best achieve his or her particular goals.
Prerequisites: Varies by course
Second Semester Details
ELE 125 Electrical Applications I Details 3
This course provides the basic skills and knowledge that the electrician uses in the day-to-day routine. Students develop skills in applying electrical blueprint reading, wiring diagrams, and schematic drawings to problem situations. In addition, students develop material lists, cite appropriate codes, and identify potential safety hazards associated with specific jobs. Practical laboratory activities are provided. 1.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours.
Prerequisites: ELE 120, or consent of department
ELE 130 Residential Electricity Details 3
An introduction to residential wiring, plans, specifications, and codes. Students are provided theory and lab assignments in the use of wiring diagrams, hooking up single-phase systems, wiring basic lighting and receptacle circuits, and installing low-voltage switching and control circuits. 1.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours.
Prerequisites: ELE 100 and ELE 110, or consent of department
IMT 120 Industrial Motors & Controls Details 3
This course is designed to provide a theoretical framework for the understanding of motors and controls and its applications with hands-on activities to reinforce the concepts introduced. Students will learn about motor control systems, devices, circuits and troubleshooting. 1.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
MFG 113 Introduction to Manufacturing & Industrial Safety Details 3
This course provides students with an introduction to the manufacturing world and provides specific instruction to facilitate safe work practices in industrial environments. It introduces manufacturing specializations such as mechatronics, precision machining and welding and covers fire safety, pressurized gases, electrical hazards, safe machine usage, and lock out tag out. Students learn concepts of industrial noise, machine guarding, electrical safety, chemical exposure, hazardous waste, Worker's Compensation laws, liability, and general safety precautions for the workplace. Course content is based on the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician curriculum and OSHA standards. Students will qualify to sit for MSSC-M1-Safety Certification through the MSSC.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various Written Communication Requirement Details 3
Courses that fall under Written Communication.
ENG 101 Rhetoric and Composition I Details 3
An introductory course in writing at the college level with attention to skills needed at each stage of the writing process. Placement in ENG 101 presupposes competence in English grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. IAI: C1 900.
Prerequisites: ENG 099 with a grade of "C" or above or appropriate placement score
ENG 102 Rhetoric and Composition II Details 3
A continuation of ENG 101; provides further practice in writing at the college level for a variety of purposes and audiences, using both fixed and open or developing forms. Research paper required. IAI: C1 901R.
Prerequisites: completion of ENG 101 with a grade of "C" or above
ENG 191 Business Communication Details 3
This course instructs students in the techniques of composing effective business letters, memoranda, electronic communication, resumes and cover letters, and reports. It covers introductory business communication principles including intercultural communication, teamwork strategies, business etiquette, meeting strategies, business presentations, and employment communication.
Prerequisites: ENG 099 with a grade of "C" or above or appropriate placement score.
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.

Gainful Employment: For more information about graduation rates, cost, the median debt of students who complete the program, and other information, please view our Gainful Employment information for the particular certificate of study.