Quick Answer

An electrical engineering degree requires approximately 128 to 136 credit hours, including calculus through differential equations, university physics, linear algebra, chemistry, and a dense sequence of EE courses in circuits, electronics, signals, electromagnetics, and a senior design capstone. ABET accreditation is essential for career credibility and PE licensure. The math and physics prerequisites alone consume four to five semesters, and the strict course sequencing means falling behind by one semester can delay graduation by a year.

The hidden question behind researching EE requirements is whether you can handle them. That is a fair question, because the course load is one of the most demanding in any undergraduate program. The requirements are not a secret, but most prospective students underestimate how front-loaded the math and physics sequence is and how little flexibility the curriculum allows. In most liberal arts majors, you can take courses in any order, explore electives freely, and change direction easily. In EE, the prerequisite chain is rigid, and each course builds directly on the one before it.

For the career picture, see the electrical engineering degree overview. For job-specific data, see EE careers. This page covers exactly what the program demands.

Expert Tip

Before committing to an EE program, take an honest look at your math background. If you placed into Calculus I at your university, you are on track. If you need to start with precalculus or college algebra, you are one to two semesters behind the standard EE timeline. That is manageable, but it likely means five years to graduation instead of four. Factor that into your planning and budget.

ABET Accreditation: Why It Matters

ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation is not optional for electrical engineering. It is the baseline credential that employers and licensing boards expect.

Why it matters for your career:

  • The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam, the first step toward a PE license, requires graduation from an ABET-accredited program in most states.
  • Most engineering employers specifically require or prefer ABET-accredited degrees in job postings.
  • Federal government engineering positions (GS job series 0855) require ABET-accredited degrees or equivalent1.
  • Graduate programs assume ABET-level preparation from undergraduate applicants.
Important

Do not attend an electrical engineering program that is not ABET-accredited unless you have a very specific reason (such as a two-year transfer plan to an accredited institution). Non-accredited EE degrees limit your career options, prevent PE licensure in most states, and raise red flags with employers. Check ABET's program search at abet.org before enrolling.

ABET accreditation means the program meets minimum standards for curriculum content, faculty qualifications, laboratory facilities, and student outcomes. There are approximately 340 ABET-accredited electrical engineering programs in the United States1. The quality difference between top and bottom programs is significant, but all accredited programs cover the same foundational material.

Core Coursework: What Every EE Major Takes

The typical ABET-accredited EE curriculum follows a structured sequence. Deviation from this sequence is difficult because prerequisites chain tightly.

Mathematics sequence (semesters 1-5):

  • Calculus I — limits, derivatives, integrals. Prerequisite for everything.
  • Calculus II — integration techniques, series, sequences. Prerequisite for Physics II and many EE courses.
  • Calculus III (Multivariable) — partial derivatives, multiple integrals, vector calculus. Essential for electromagnetics.
  • Differential Equations — ordinary differential equations, Laplace transforms. The mathematical language of circuits and signal processing.
  • Linear Algebra — matrices, eigenvalues, vector spaces. Essential for signal processing, control systems, and power systems analysis.

Science sequence (semesters 1-4):

  • University Physics I — mechanics, waves, thermodynamics.
  • University Physics II — electricity, magnetism, optics. This is the direct foundation for EE coursework.
  • Chemistry I — general chemistry with lab. Required by most ABET programs.

EE core courses (semesters 3-8):

  • Circuit Analysis I and II — DC and AC circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, Thevenin/Norton equivalents, phasors, frequency response, filters.
  • Electronics I and II — diodes, BJT and MOSFET transistors, amplifier design, operational amplifiers, digital electronics.
  • Signals and Systems — Fourier series, Fourier transforms, Laplace transforms, z-transforms, sampling theory, LTI systems.
  • Electromagnetics — Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, transmission lines, antennas. Often considered the single hardest course in the curriculum.
  • Digital Logic and Computer Architecture — Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential logic, microprocessor architecture.
  • Probability and Random Processes — probability theory, random variables, stochastic processes. Foundation for communications and signal processing.
  • Control Systems — feedback theory, stability analysis, root locus, Bode plots, state-space methods.
  • Microprocessors / Embedded Systems — assembly language, interfacing, real-time systems.
  • Senior Design Capstone — year-long team project designing, building, testing, and presenting an electrical system or device.
128-136
Total credit hours required for most ABET-accredited electrical engineering bachelor's degrees, significantly more than most non-engineering majors (120 credits)
[1]

Elective tracks allow specialization in:

  • Power systems and energy
  • VLSI and semiconductor design
  • Signal processing and communications
  • RF and microwave engineering
  • Control systems and robotics
  • Computer engineering and embedded systems

Most programs also require humanities and social science electives (18-24 credits), an English composition course, and a technical communication or engineering ethics course.

The Prerequisite Chain Problem

The rigid sequencing of EE courses is one of the degree's most underappreciated challenges. Here is why it matters.

Calculus I is prerequisite for Calculus II, which is prerequisite for Physics II and Calculus III. Physics II is prerequisite for Circuit Analysis I, which is prerequisite for Circuit Analysis II and Electronics I. Differential Equations is prerequisite for Signals and Systems and Electromagnetics.

If you fail or withdraw from Calculus II in your second semester, it pushes Physics II to semester three, which pushes Circuit Analysis to semester four, which delays Electronics and Signals to semester five or six. A single failed course in the early sequence can cascade into a one-year delay in graduation.

Important

The prerequisite chain is the primary reason EE programs have high attrition and many students take five years to graduate. If you are struggling with a foundational course, address it immediately. Get tutoring, attend office hours, form study groups. Do not withdraw from a core prerequisite unless absolutely necessary, because the schedule impact compounds rapidly.

BSEE vs. BSCE

Many universities offer both Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCE), sometimes within the same department.

BSEE emphasizes analog circuits, electromagnetics, power systems, signal processing, and electronics. Broader coverage of electrical phenomena.

BSCE emphasizes digital systems, computer architecture, embedded systems, and software engineering. Closer overlap with computer science.

For students interested in semiconductors, power, RF, or telecommunications, BSEE is the correct choice. For students interested in embedded systems, computer hardware, or the hardware-software boundary, BSCE may be a better fit. Many programs allow enough elective flexibility that the distinction is less rigid than it appears on paper.

The Lab Component

EE programs require significant laboratory work that does not exist in most other majors. You will spend 3 to 6 hours per week in supervised labs, plus additional time for lab report writing and preparation.

What lab work involves:

  • Building circuits on breadboards and verifying they match theoretical predictions
  • Using oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers
  • Debugging circuits that do not work as expected (this is where most of the time goes)
  • Writing detailed lab reports documenting procedures, measurements, analysis, and conclusions
  • Soldering, PCB layout, and fabrication in some advanced courses
Did You Know

The gap between theoretical circuit analysis (which works perfectly on paper) and real circuit behavior (which involves noise, parasitic effects, and component tolerances) is the most important lesson EE labs teach. Professional electrical engineers spend a significant portion of their careers debugging circuits and systems that behave differently from simulations. Students who engage seriously with lab work develop this skill before graduation. Students who treat labs as an afterthought to their problem sets miss the most practically valuable part of the degree.

Lab work is where you learn to use the tools and instruments that define professional EE practice. Employers consistently report that lab skills and equipment familiarity are among the most important criteria for entry-level hiring, alongside academic performance.

Skills You'll Build (and What Employers Value)

Mathematical modeling — translating physical systems into mathematical representations and solving them. This is the fundamental skill of electrical engineering and transfers to any analytical career.

Circuit design and analysis — designing electronic circuits that meet specifications and analyzing their behavior. Directly applicable to every hardware engineering role.

Programming — C, C++, MATLAB, Python, and potentially VHDL/Verilog. EE programming is more hardware-focused than CS programming, emphasizing low-level systems and real-time constraints.

Instrumentation and measurement — using professional electronic test equipment accurately and interpreting results. A skill that cannot be taught from a textbook.

Technical communication — writing engineering reports, presenting design reviews, and documenting systems. Required by ABET and valued by every employer.

Expert Tip

If you want to maximize your career options, learn MATLAB or Python for numerical analysis, pick up basic PCB design using tools like KiCad or Altium, and get comfortable with at least one hardware description language (Verilog or VHDL). These practical tools complement your coursework and demonstrate readiness for professional work. Most EE programs teach some of these, but going deeper on your own sets you apart from other graduates.

What Nobody Tells You About EE Requirements

The math is harder than the engineering courses. Many EE students find that once they get past the math and physics prerequisites, the actual EE courses make more sense because they apply abstract math to tangible problems. The first two years are the hardest motivationally because you are learning tools without yet seeing how they are used.

Electromagnetics is the single course that defines whether you "get" EE. Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, and field theory are abstract and mathematically intensive in ways that even other EE courses are not. This is the course that separates students who think in terms of fields and waves from those who only think in terms of circuits. Students who struggle with EM often change their specialization toward power or embedded systems, where the electromagnetics demands are lower.

The capstone project is more work than any course. Senior design typically spans two semesters and requires your team to propose, design, build, test, and present a functioning system. This is the closest thing to professional engineering work in your undergraduate experience, and it is where many students discover whether they enjoy the profession or just tolerated the coursework.

Co-op programs extend the degree to five years but dramatically improve career outcomes. Many ABET-accredited programs offer cooperative education programs where you alternate semesters of coursework with semesters of full-time paid engineering work. Co-op students graduate later but with 12 to 18 months of professional experience, stronger resumes, and often standing job offers from their co-op employer.

For salary context across specializations, see the electrical engineering salary guide. If you are comparing paths, our engineering degree overview covers the broader landscape.

FAQ

How much math does electrical engineering require?

At minimum: Calculus I, II, and III, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra. That is five math courses, and some programs add Probability, Complex Variables, or Numerical Methods. The total math requirement is more extensive than any non-engineering major and comparable to a mathematics minor.

Can I major in electrical engineering if I am bad at math?

That depends on what "bad at math" means. If you struggle with algebra and trigonometry, EE will be extremely difficult. If you find calculus challenging but manageable with effort, you can succeed. The key distinction is between "math does not come naturally" (which is common among successful engineers) and "I cannot pass calculus" (which is a genuine barrier to the degree).

What is the difference between EE and ECE?

ECE (Electrical and Computer Engineering) is a combined department structure at many universities. An ECE department typically offers both BSEE and BSCE degrees with shared foundational courses and divergent upper-division requirements. EE emphasizes analog, power, and electromagnetics. CE emphasizes digital, embedded, and computer architecture.

Is ABET accreditation really necessary?

For career flexibility and PE licensure, yes. Non-ABET EE programs exist but create barriers: you cannot take the FE exam in most states, many employers filter for ABET degrees, and graduate programs may question your preparation. The only common exception is students at schools like MIT or Caltech, whose institutional prestige compensates for unconventional accreditation structures1.

How long does an electrical engineering degree take?

Four years at the standard pace. Many students take five years due to the heavy course load, failed prerequisites, or participation in co-op programs. Five-year graduation is common and not a sign of failure. The prerequisite chain makes catching up after any delay difficult without overloading on credits.

Do I need to know programming for EE?

Yes. All ABET-accredited programs require at least one programming course (typically C or Python), and most EE specializations use programming extensively. Embedded systems engineers, signal processing engineers, and VLSI designers all write code regularly. The EE approach to programming emphasizes hardware interaction and real-time systems rather than web applications or mobile development.

More on this degree:

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Footnotes

  1. ABET. (2025). Accredited Programs Search. ABET. https://www.abet.org/accreditation/accredited-programs/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electrical and Electronics Engineers. BLS. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm ↩

  3. National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions, by field of study. NCES. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_322.10.asp ↩