Program Overview
Central Piedmont Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Electrical Systems Technology. The program prepares students to work with electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. In-person classes and labs meet at Harper Campus in Charlotte, and the program also uses combined classroom, laboratory, and online instruction. The college advertises day and evening classes; available courses and schedules can change each semester. This listing focuses on the associate degree. The department also offers specialized certificates, which have their own requirements.
Curriculum Highlights
Much of the training is hands-on. Topics include AC and DC theory, basic wiring practices, industrial motor controls, programmable logic controllers, and the National Electrical Code. Students learn to read prints, diagrams, and schematics, choose wiring methods, and apply electrical codes to different installation settings. Control-wiring exercises use both relay logic and programmable controllers. The degree provides additional study in estimating, energy management, and programmable logic controllers. Program outcomes include energy-management calculations and programming controllers for functions such as subroutines, mathematics, and data movement. Work-based learning is an elective in the associate degree.
Admission Requirements
New degree-seeking students begin by establishing or checking North Carolina residency and submitting the college application. The next steps include setting up a college account and email, completing online orientation, submitting transcripts, and meeting an advisor. Students then arrange payment for their classes. The college directs applicants to its catalog for program-specific courses and eligibility requirements. Discuss the degree course sequence and available sections with an advisor before choosing a schedule. Phil Rouse, the department chair, is listed at 704-330-2722, extension 7480, and [email protected].
Cost & Financial Aid
For college-credit courses, the published tuition rate is $76 per credit for North Carolina residents, capped at $1,216 for 16 or more credits. The nonresident rate is $268 per credit, capped at $4,288 for 16 or more credits. These are tuition charges, and additional fees and educational expenses affect the total. The program page directs students to the college's tuition, financial-aid, and scholarship information. Aid and work-based learning depend on the student's eligibility and available opportunities.
Career Outcomes
Central Piedmont describes preparation for entering electrical work as an on-the-job trainee or apprentice, assisting with layout, installation, and maintenance. Its occupational examples include residential, commercial, industrial, control, and maintenance electrical work. Workplace learning can provide a semester of related employment experience for participating students. Degree completion does not guarantee an employer placement. Harper Campus is at 315 W. Hebron Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273.