Development of A New Electrical Engineering Technology Program

Troy University is trying to expand its educational programs in engineering and engineering technology to address the needs of industry. Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) is one of the first such programs that are being evaluated to become a new program at Troy University. Starting a new BS program is always a challenge. This is especially true when there are no similar existing programs at Troy University that can be used as a reference point. There are not enough faculty members with experience in engineering technology program development at Troy University. In order to meet these challenges, Troy University teamed up with a faculty member from a similar engineering technology program at another university. The team first worked on job market analysis for EET graduates. Information such as salary, number of job openings and requirements at the national level and local area was gathered and analyzed. Requirements for ABET accreditation for the EET program and professional engineering license for EET graduates were gathered and analyzed. How could the team explain the difference between engineering and engineering technology to students, parents, and potential employers? These are typical challenges faced by engineering technology programs. Analyzing these issues can greatly reduce risks for the new program. The program curriculum went through several rounds of revision. In the end, a balanced program with an emphasis on hands-on learning through laboratory sessions of each course was developed. The team also evaluated resources needed for the new program, including faculty members, laboratory space, and equipment. The paperwork for new program application was submitted in January 2017. This paper presents the details of the new EET program development. The success and lessons learned can provide valuable information for other higher educational institutions that are considering expansion into the area of engineering technology.