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Developing an Industry-Driven Graduate Certificate in Test Engineering for Electrical Engineering Technologists

Abstract

The School of Technology (SofT) plans to be nationally recognized for programs advancing technological education through excellence in learning, discovery, and engagement. To achieve this result, the Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program as part of the School of Technology needs to continue to improve curriculum that prepare graduates for careers in a wide scope industry and support a broad spectrum of technology. The EET program is collaborating with GE Aviation to offer a graduate certificate in Test Engineering. This certificate represents a good model of collaboration between industry and academia. The demand for electrical and computer engineers who are equipped with test engineering skills continue to rise. Unfortunately, the curriculum has not yet “caught up” to industry needs and the role of academia in meeting industry expectation of test engineering skills has not been sufficient. Only a few universities have test engineering incorporated in their curriculum. To meet this goal, the School of Technology is stepping up to this challenge and is collaborating with local industry, specially GE Aviation, to develop a Test Engineering curriculum. This paper describes the development of a new graduate certificate in Test Engineering in the EET program and in collaboration with industry.

Introduction

The demand for electrical and computer engineers who are equipped with test engineering skills continues to rise. Electrical and Computer engineering jobs data reflects that 40 to 60% of electrical and computer engineering jobs are in testing. In addition to this, jobs data also shows that most military and government engineering jobs are mainly test engineering jobs1. Unfortunately, the curriculum has not yet “caught up” to industry needs and the role of academia in meeting industry expectation of test engineering skills has not been sufficient. Only a few universities have testing engineering incorporated in their curriculum. To meet this need, academic institutions must re-shape their curriculum to offer students the opportunity to learn test engineering skills. Currently, test engineering skills are usually gained through work experience and on-the-job training, but not through formal college education. To effectively meet the next generation’s workforce need for test engineers, the EET curriculum must be current, relevant, and teach skills that are widely needed in industry. To meet this goal, the School of Technology is stepping up to this challenge and collaborating with GE aviation to develop a test engineering curriculum. The graduate certificate will represent and build a stronger EET program within the School of Technology. Students earning the Test Engineering graduate certificate will be given the opportunity to learn and experience the theory and practice of fundamental test engineering.

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Alaraje, N., & Sergeyev, A. (2010, June), Developing An Industry Driven Graduate Certificate In Test Engineering For Electrical Engineering Technologists Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--16244