How Do I Get an Associate's Degree in Electronics?

An associate's degree in electronics prepares you for an entry-level career as an electronics or computer technician in many industries. The degree provides a comprehensive overview of advanced mathematics and science and teaches how to design, analyze and troubleshoot electronics. Obtaining a high school diploma and completing standardized admissions exams are common prerequisites for admission. To graduate, you will need to complete all courses, as well as any internship or applied project.

Before getting an associate's degree in electronics, you usually need a high school diploma or its equivalent. Taking advanced mathematics and technology high school courses will prepare you for the degree's courses. There also are many college admissions tests that are available to take during the later high school years, and some schools have their own tests that you will need to pass to be admitted.

The next step is to choose a specific major for your associate's degree in electronics, with majors in electronics engineering and electronics technology among the most common. Both degrees include similar courses that teach you how to design and analyze electronics and computers. If you plan to go on to obtain a bachelor's degree, then both majors include the courses needed to prepare you for higher-level courses. After finding a school that offers the electronics degree program you desire, you can apply and take any additional skills tests required for admission.

General education courses typically make up about half of the courses required of an associate's degree in electronics. Science and mathematics courses are an important component of the degree and help prepare you for the technical courses. Physical science courses, such as physics and chemistry, are common requirements and usually require labs. Math courses, such as trigonometry, discrete mathematics and calculus, also are included. You'll also usually take some classes in English, the social sciences and the arts.

Electronics and computer courses usually require labs and focus on computer hardware, microprocessors, communication systems, electronic systems, digital circuitry and computer-aided design. A survey course in electronics usually is one of the first core courses and sets a foundation for studying more complex topics. A class in technical writing may be required as a major course or as one of the general education courses.

To graduate with an associate's degree in electronics, you may need to complete an applied project or an internship. The applied project usually is the final course in a degree program. An internship may be completed during the last classes or after the courses are completed.