Electrician Certificate Program
Study Electrical Concepts and Electrical Safety
When determination meets opportunity, the possibilities are limitless. The on-campus undergraduate certificate program for electricians at Grand Canyon University offers you the opportunity to acquire the fundamental skills to be an industrial electrician. While earning this certificate, you will apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers.
This comprehensive program is designed for aspiring electricians who seek the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue work in the electrical field. This certificate for electricians offers a focused curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical training.
Tailored Program for Industrial Electricians
To help you prepare for the challenges you might encounter in your future career, knowledgeable faculty will teach skills in electrical installation, equipment operation and maintenance. Topics covered in this 16-credit certificate for electricians will include the following:
- Instruction in electrical circuitry
- Prototype development and testing
- Systems analysis and testing
- Systems maintenance
- Instrument calibration
- Report preparation
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Career Opportunities for Electrician Certificate Holders
Whether you’re interested in residential, commercial or industrial electrical work, our undergraduate electrician certificate program can help you prepare to pursue the following careers:
- Electrician
- First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Signal and track switch repairer
- Security and fire alarm systems installer
Upon completion of this certificate program, you may choose to further your education by pursuing a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
Earn Your Undergraduate Certificate at an Accredited University
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 and is proud to prioritize quality education and comprehensive instruction. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs can help guide aspiring electricians looking to enhance their skills and knowledge. Whether you’re considering the program or seeking clarification, they can help you make an informed decision.
An industrial electrician specializes in installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems and equipment in industrial settings, such as factories and manufacturing plants. This certificate is designed for those looking to enter this field, providing the essential skills and knowledge needed to work with complex electrical systems, machinery and safety protocols specific to industrial environments.
An electrician typically needs a combination of certifications and licenses to prove that they have specialized training and competency in a specific area.3 The specific certificates required may vary depending on the region and the type of electrical work being performed. However, some common credentials for electricians include a high school diploma or GED, an Electrician's Training Certificate from a recognized trade school or an apprenticeship program, or a Journeyman Electrician License obtained through passing the relevant exams and meeting the experience requirements.4
All working electricians are licensed in their respective states, but it is not mandatory to obtain specialty certificates or certifications in a specific discipline.5 For more information on the certificates needed to find a job as an electrician in your state, contact your local or state electrical licensing board, or visit the National Electrical Contractors Association’s website.
The Undergraduate Certificate for Electricians requires a total of 16 credits for completion. Most of the classes are eight weeks in length. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor to better understand how long it takes to earn this electrician certificate.
The undergraduate electrician certificate may be valuable for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the electrical field, as it teaches foundational knowledge and practical skills that may be necessary for starting a career as an electrician. Additionally, the curriculum of this electrician certificate program teaches electrical systems and technical knowledge needed to serve as a steppingstone to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or technology.
Master essential skills in installation, maintenance and operation to begin your industrial electrician career.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians, retrieved on Nov. 4, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Electricians as of May 2023, retrieved on Nov. 4, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as electricians, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 Indeed Career Guide (2025, March 3). Certificates, Certifications and Licenses: Differences and Jobs That Require Them. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024, Aug. 29). Electricians: How to Become an Electrician. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024.
5 Electronicshacks. (n.d.) Certified Electrician vs. Licensed Electrician: What’s the Difference? Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course identifies and develops the career skills necessary to succeed in the electrical trades. It provides a broad overview of the industrial electrical field and provides students a general understanding of business operations and project management. Principles for goal setting and personal financial management are also covered. Co-Requisite: JRE-111.
Course Description
This course focuses on professional written and verbal communication for the workplace relevant to various trades as well as comprehension and interpretation of written, graphic, and verbal communication.
Course Description
This course covers basic math concepts and operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, and rational numbers, proportions, and percentages. Other concepts include algebraic equations, basic trigonometry, and the application of math and its use in the real world. Prerequisite: JRE-101, or JRE-105, or JRE-106. Co-Requisite: JRE-131, or JRE-141, or JRE-151, or JRE-161, or JRE-171, or JRE-181.
Course Description
Electrical Safety; Workplace Issues; Basic Electrical Concepts. Prerequisite: JRE-101. Co-Requisite: JRE-121.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.