Frederick Community College

Programme overview

Frederick Community College’s Electrical Foundations & Advanced pathway is a Continuing Education workforce training track delivered at the Monroe Center. It is built as a 2-course foundational sequence or a 4-course advanced sequence of in-person, lab-based classes that develop practical wiring and systems skills for entry-level residential and commercial electrical work. Certificates are awarded monthly and courses are non-credit; successful completers may pursue academic credit conversion.

What you'll study

The curriculum progresses from basic to advanced electrical topics across four named courses. Foundational and advanced course titles are:

• ELC181 — Fundamentals of Structural Wiring
• ELC182 — Residential Electric
• ELC166 — Commercial Electric
• ELC183 — Specialized Systems (includes introductions to data cabling, emergency generators, fiber optics and solar photovoltaic technology)

Instruction emphasizes structural wiring, electrical materials and methods, safety regulations, National Electrical Code familiarity, and the tools and techniques for installation and repair.

Entry requirements

Students must meet the Continuing Education English prerequisite: ENGL 70 or an acceptable placement test score. Accepted Accuplacer Next Gen placement thresholds include Reading 237 (or Reading 229 and Writing ≥237), or equivalent ESL scores (Reading ≥102; ESL overall ≥276). Participants follow course sequences and may request transfer of up to 25% of certificate contact hours from accredited prior learning; course substitutions are not allowed. Note: courses are non-credit and not eligible for federal financial aid.

Career prospects

Completing the foundational two-course sequence documents residential wiring readiness; finishing the full four-course sequence documents entry-level readiness for residential and commercial electrical roles. Graduates can apply skills directly to residential construction, commercial projects, renovation work, and emerging areas such as solar installation and specialized systems. Certificates and course completion awards recognize practical competencies valued by employers in regional trades markets.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

CEWD provides several funding options for eligible students, including CEWD scholarships, workforce development funding, program-specific aid, and payment plans. Continuing Education tuition varies by program; published approximate costs are up to $1,440 for the 2-course Foundations series and up to $2,710 for the 4-course Advanced series. Additional fees (registration, residency differentials, materials/textbooks) may apply.