Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Lincoln University PA 19352

How to Become an Electrician in Lincoln University Pennsylvania

Lincoln University PA electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Lincoln University PA. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of points to examine. For instance, many students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. When they have found a few that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole factors that should be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional options that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Lincoln University PA

Lincoln University PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple ways to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Lincoln University PA. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the three most common programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards those who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to complete and are provided by Pennsylvania community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Pennsylvania colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed before licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements

Lincoln University PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Lincoln University PA can carry out a wide range of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually around four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be acquired in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails three levels of competency:

An experience requirement
Passing a written exam
Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Lincoln University PA

attending electrician school online in Lincoln University PA An option that you may have looked at is choosing an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more convenient choice for students that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Driving expenses from Lincoln University PA are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Lincoln University PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Lincoln University PA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Lincoln University PA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, 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 schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate may indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Lincoln University PA students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Lincoln University PA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Lincoln University PA electrical company if they can provide some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Lincoln University residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise 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 handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Lincoln University PA, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lincoln University PA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Lincoln University PA area.

Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)

Lincoln University (LU) is the United States' first degree-granting historically black university.[4] Founded as a private university in 1854, it has been a public institution since 1972. Its main campus is located on 422 acres near the town of Oxford in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The university has a second location in University City, Philadelphia. Lincoln University provides undergraduate and graduate coursework to approximately 2,000 students. The University is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

In his book, Education for Freedom: A History of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, former LU president Dr. Horace Mann Bond noted that "This was the first institution founded anywhere in the world to provide a higher education in the arts and sciences for youth of African descent." While a majority of Lincoln University students are African Americans, the university has a long history of accepting students of other races and nationalities.[5] Women have received degrees since 1953,[5] and made up 60% of undergraduate enrollment in 2015.[6]

In 1854 Rev. John Miller Dickey, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson, a Quaker, founded Ashmun Institute, later named Lincoln University, in Hinsonville. They named it after Jehudi Ashmun, a religious leader and social reformer. They founded the school for the education of African Americans, who had few opportunities for higher education.

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Find the Right Electrician Vocational School near Lincoln University PA

Selecting the right electrician trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician tech school that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides unique possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Lincoln University PA.