Get Your Engineering Questions Answered

Please select from one of the following programs below to see answers to frequently asked questions by engineering technology students.

Electrical Engineering Technology FAQ

The answers to questions frequently asked by current electrical engineering technology students can be found below.

  • Engineering Technology is a branch of engineering education that emphasizes the practical aspects of engineering, rather than abstract concepts or theories. It is a blend of science application, engineering knowledge, and technical skills - used in support of engineering activities. It provides an alternate pathway to a career in engineering. Engineering technology graduates could fill four out of every five engineering positions in the U.S., and industry and educational leaders consider our graduates among the best.
  • Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) is an engineering technology field that implements and applies the principles of electrical engineering. Like electrical engineering, EET deals with the design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation and/or maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems. However, EET is a specialized discipline that has more focus on application, theory, applied design, and implementation, while electrical engineering may focus more of a generalized emphasis on theory and conceptual design. Electrical/Electronics engineering technology is the largest branch of engineering technology and includes a wide range of sub-disciplines such as, applied design, electronics, embedded systems, control systems, instrumentation, telecommunications, and power systems.

  • The Electrical Engineering Technology degree program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET.

    Kennesaw State University (KSU) is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and all degrees must adhere to their accreditation requirements.

  • Registration as a professional engineer is required for engineers making final decisions that can have an impact on the health and welfare of the general public. A large majority of the electrical and computer engineers across the country are not licensed professional engineers. It is a more common requirement in the civil engineering disciplines.

    Engineers working in the building design and consulting fields often find it beneficial to be licensed. In Georgia the process to become licensed is:

    1. Graduate from an accredited engineering or engineering technology program,
    2. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam,
    3. Work in industry for a minimum of 4 years for an engineering degree and 7 years for an engineering technology degree - under the guidance of a professional engineer,
    4. Pass the Practice of Engineering Exam.

    Most states allow graduates from 4-year engineering technology programs to obtain their Professional Engineer’s license. However, the required number of years of working under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer varies from state to state.

  • Electrical Engineering Technology graduates can return and take the requisite courses to satisfy the Electrical Engineering degree. If you graduated from KSU's Electrical Engineering Technology program AND have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (formerly the E.I.T.), then you only have to take those courses which are unique to the Electrical Engineering degree. That's about 32 semester hours of courses. Please consult with the Engineering Technology Department Chair for details.
  • Graduates of the Electrical Engineering Technology program are qualified for employment with companies in a variety of fields such as communications, instrumentation, automation, control systems, power, robotics, computers, and medical electronics - to name a few.  They are typically involved in areas such as: development, design, quality assurance, technical documentation, production, maintenance, test, field service, or technical sales.

  • Below is a list of some of the companies who have hired Electrical Engineering Technology graduates.

    • AT&T
    • Automated Logic
    • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
    • Cienna
    • Cisco Systems
    • Comcast
    • Cox Communications
    • Georgia Pacific
    • Georgia Pacific
    • Georgia Power
    • Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)
    • Hewlett Packard
    • Home Depot
    • Intel Corporation
    • Layer3
    • Lockheed-Martin
    • Marietta NDT
    • MIS
    • NCR
    • Respirionics
    • Shaw Industries
    • Siemens
    • Sprint
    • WellStar Health System

 

Mechanical Engineering Technology FAQ

  • The primary academic difference is that MET classes are typically more “hands-on” and more application focused than mechanical engineering classes. Most MET classes will have labs associated with them, in which students apply the concepts learned in class to an actual application. Examples of classes that are offered in MET, that are not found in mechanical engineering, Machining and Welding, Metrology & CNC, Instruments & Controls, and Engineering Design Graphics II. Mechanical engineering classes are typically more math intensive and theory based than MET classes. A smaller percentage of mechanical engineering classes will have lab components. Some examples of classes that are found in the mechanical engineering program, but not in MET, are Calculus III, Probability & Statistics, Machine Dynamics & Vibrations, and Dynamic Systems & Control Theory. Another difference is the MET program has a series of five elective courses allowing students to focus on a specific concentration. The MET program currently has concentrations in Manufacturing, Engineering Design Graphics, and Thermo Energy.

    The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has a great website explaining the differences between MET and MET at asme.org.

  • Registration as a professional engineer is required for engineers making final decisions that can have an impact on the health and welfare of the general public. A large majority of the mechanical engineers across the country are not licensed professional engineers. It is most common in the civil engineering disciplines.

    Engineers working in the building design and consulting fields often find it beneficial to be licensed. In Georgia the process to become licensed is: 

    1. Graduate from an accredited engineering or engineering technology program,
    2. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam,
    3. Work in industry for a minimum of 4 years for an engineering degree and 7 years for an engineering technology degree - under the guidance of a professional engineer,
    4. Pass the Practice of Engineering Exam.

    Most states allow graduates from 4-year engineering technology programs to obtain their Professional Engineer’s license.

  • Most graduates with a degree in MET from KSU are hired as engineers.  Some of the job titles are listed below.

    • Mechanical Engineer
    • Production Engineer
    • Application Engineer
    • Project Engineer
    • Group Manager of Operations
    • Chief Operating Engineer
    • Estimator
    • Product Design Engineer Technical Engineer
    • Sheet Metal Design Engineer
    • Product Engineer
    • Associate Control Systems Engineer
    • Tire Engineer

  • Below is a list of some of the companies who have recently hired MET graduates.

    • Lockheed-Martin
    • Shaw Industries
    • Anheuser-Busch
    • Panoz
    • Nor-Ral Plastics
    • Marietta NDT
    • Seasons 4
    • CB Richard Ellis
    • Emcon Services
    • Dickow Pump Company
    • AERO Systems Engineering
    • Pond and Company
    • Ridge Environmental Solutions, Inc.
    • Toyo Tires
    • Chart Industries
    • Omni International
    • Hopewell Designs, Inc.
    • Worx Machinery
    • Blount Construction Co., Inc.
    • Gulfstream Aerospace
    • A&J Manufacturing
    • Marel Stork Poultry Processing
    • Bio-Flo Service Co.
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for MET graduates is $56,390.  The average starting salary for KSU MET graduates over the last few years is over $60,000.
  • The MET department and Career Services work closely with industry to provide internships and coops, to ensure students gain valuable industry experience. Many companies end up hiring students who have worked as interns or in the co-op program when they graduate. For more information visit the Department of Career Planning and Development.