NWTC instructor teaching a class on telecom engineering

Telecommunications Engineering Technician - Associate Degree

The Telecommunications Engineering Technician is intended to provide students with the theory and hands-on educational experience necessary to receive a job in the Telecommunications field. Students will learn broadband network design, fiber optic splicing, fiber optic installation, fiber optic testing, safety, basic rigging and fall protection, principles of electricity, wireless technology, cell components, spectrum management, project data collection, and telecommunications project engineering and design principles. This program gives students our students an encompassing education of broadband networks we all rely on, from the towers to the internet servers and everything in between.

Program Code: 104512 Emerging Career
Home » Academics and Training » Telecommunications Engineering Technician
Area of Study: Energy

Become a Telecom Engineering Technician

Cellular and fiber optic networks are expanding access and deploying new 5G and broadband technologies at a rapid pace. Workers with knowledge of route engineering, fiber optics, and wireless technology will be needed to keep up with the pace of this growing infrastructure. This two-year program will put you well on your way to a solid and highly in-demand career in the industry.

Program Costs & Financial Aid

See costs of tuition, books, and supplies.

This program is fully eligible for financial aid.

Estimates based on in-state residency. Learn more about tuition and fees.

Explore Locations

Offered At:

Delivery

  • Day

What are my courses?

Program Outcomes

  • Learn utility system safety terminology, definitions, and practices. Define safety responsibility, rules and regulations
  • Develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of basic surveying principles, instruments in the field, making computations, and generating computerized maps.
  • Demonstrate experience consistent with projects in industry. Students will learn how to field buried cable projects to aerial projects and also learn industry equipment that operates on these projects.
  • Apply different methods of data collection and data management for Telecommunications projects.
  • Carry out data transfer from field collection and creating a product using AutoCAD that a utility crew would use to place the communications facility.
  • Apply skills to splice, test, and troubleshoot a fiber optic network in real-world scenarios from the main distribution node to the end node.
  • Discuss the differences between analog and data transmissions.
  • Ability to design and maintain industrial communications systems while applying underlying principles behind today's industrial communications systems.
  • Analyze telecommunications policy and regulations and their impacts on the telecommunication markets with an emphasis on policies in developing countries and emerging markets but combines other multidisciplinary aspects related to technology, economics, and law.
  • Carry out fiber optic network designs, project estimating, and project management to culminate the students knowledge of previous classes and fully understand how to deliver a successful fiber optic project from beginning to end.
  • Use IP addressing with VLSM; static routes.
  • Layer 2 & amp; 3 switching, switch configuration, management and security.
  • Perform basic routing and packet-forwarding concepts.
  • Configure and manage VLANs, trunking, inter-VLAN routing, access control lists.
  • Configure and troubleshoot dynamic routing protocols.

What careers are in my future?

What businesses hire graduates from this program?

The following employers hire NWTC graduates of this program:

  • SRU Electric, Inc.
  • Nsight
  • Tilson Technology
  • CCI Systems
  • Red Tail Tower
  • TowerMRL, Inc.
  • Momentum Design, LLC
  • Multimedia Communications & Engineering, Inc. (MCE)
  • Stray Voltage, LLC
  • DeBauche Communications Services

What's next after graduation?

Start here. Finish at a four-year.

NWTC transfer programs are offered through collaborative agreements with our four-year college and university partners. See where your associate degree credits will transfer.

What else do I need to know about the program?

Industry Credentials

Students receive the OpTIC Path certification from the Fiber Broadband Association.

Online

Classes wherever you have an internet connection. 

  • An in-person career experience, such as an internship, practicum, or credit for prior learning, may be required.
  • Some online courses may be held at specific dates/times.
Day
Classes between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Evening
Classes between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Weekend
A combination of online classes and Saturday and/or Sunday classes.
Full-time
12 or more credits per term.
Part-time
Fewer than 12 credits per term.
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