Frederick Community College

Programme overview

The Building Trades Electrical programme is a Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) sequence that trains students for entry-level residential and commercial electrical roles. Instruction emphasizes in-person, lab-based skill development at the Monroe Center, with day and evening options and a programme length of up to 12 months. Completing the full course sequence makes students eligible for academic credit conversion into specified FCC credit courses.

What you'll study

Training is delivered as four workforce courses taken in sequence. Foundational and advanced topics include structural wiring, residential and commercial wiring practices, safety and National Electrical Code awareness, and specialised systems.

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

Entry requirements

Students must meet CEWD prerequisites; for the Electrical programme an English prerequisite applies: ENGL 70 or an appropriate placement-test result. Accepted Accuplacer Next Gen placement scores include Reading 237 or higher; alternatively Reading 229 plus Writing at least 237; ESL Reading at least 102 and ESL Overall at least 276. To satisfy the English prerequisite a student may place above the prerequisite on the placement test, provide proof of completed college-level English, or meet listed exemptions. Contact the FCC Testing Center for placement details.

Career prospects

Graduates gain practical competencies for residential construction, commercial building projects and renovation work. The advanced track extends capabilities into commercial electrical systems and introduces skills used in data cabling, generator systems and solar PV work. Credentials and course completion certificates document readiness for entry-level positions in the regional electrical trades.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

CEWD students may access financial supports described by the college, including CEWD scholarships, workforce development funding, program-specific aid and payment plan options. Note that CEWD courses are non-credit and are not eligible for federal financial aid; tuition and material fees vary by course. The programme page lists approximate total tuition examples (Electrical Foundations 2-course series up to $1,440; Electrical Advanced 4-course series up to $2,710) and mentions a one-time $15 annual registration fee plus residency surcharges.