Electrical Construction & Maintenance is an Associate Degree program offered by Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN. The program takes 2 years to complete, with a total tuition of $65,517.
Program Overview
Dunwoody’s Electrical Construction & Maintenance program helps you find your passion—and your field—within the electrical industry.
Throughout your training, you will explore career paths in residential, commercial, industrial, and manufacturing electrical systems, including renewable energy and power limited technologies.
Design basic wiring schematics, learn how to read blueprints, train on solar and wind technologies, and experience field trips and guest speakers from leading companies and organizations.
Instruction comes from experienced, industry-expert faculty, who are dedicated to helping you launch into a great career. And study of the National Electrical Code (NEC)—set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)—will provide you with skills and knowledge necessary to install electrical systems that are safe, reliable, and code compliant.
An OSHA 10 Construction Card is offered to students who successfully complete the required 10 hours of training.
This card is widely accepted by most electrical contractors in the US.
The Electrical Construction & Maintenance major is approved by the Department of Labor & Industry in Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin as a two-year electrical program.
Satisfactory completion of an approved two-year electrical program fulfills the one year’s experience credit allowance for a Class A journeyman electrician, power limited technician, or maintenance electrician license applicant according to part 3800.3520, subpart 5, items B, E, and I, and Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.33, subdivisions 2, paragraph (b), and 7, paragraph (b).
Bachelor’s Completion Options: Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Bachelor of Science in Power & Construction Engineering Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Leadership.
What sets this Program apart
Facilities used in this program include:
AC/DC Electrical Lab. Learn how circuits work by testing the theories of electricity and magnetism.
- Various electronic components – diodes, capacitors, LEDs
- Circuit elements such as switches, transformers, inductors, and contactors
- Experiment with multiple power sources of various voltage and frequency
- Test and measure circuits with analog and digital multi-meters, voltmeters, ammeters, wattmeters and galvometers
Renewable Energies Lab. Learn about renewable energies, including solar and wind. Install and commission solar and wind equipment and learn about energy management.
- 400 watt wind generator
- Wind and solar trainers, solar tracking trainer, solar shading calculators
- On-site battery storage
- Benders, cutters, reamers, and other tools used in installing solar/wind power generation units
Electrical House. Learn how to wire everything in a residential unit by completing projects in our three-story house, including installing an electrical service panel.
- Wire switches and lights
- Residential equipment such as water heater, A/C units, and electrical panels
- Building controls such as fire, security, access, and lighting
Commercial/Industrial Electrical Lab. Gain wiring experience for commercial and industrial applications, including interior and exterior settings
- MC, EMT, IMC, PVC, wiremould, surface raceway
- Tools used in commercial/industrial settings such as power benders, cutters, reamers, and tuggers
- Equipment for installing various types of luminaires (lighting fixtures) and for completing lighting calculations and measurements
- Equipment for installing single phase and three phase transformers and panel boards for commercial applications
Motors, Transformers, and Industrial Controls Lab. In the Motors, Transformers, and Industrial Controls Lab:
- Investigate single phase and three motors in their construction, starting and running characteristics. Wire, install and run motors.
- Analyze transformers in their construction, operating characteristics and learn proper installation configurations with practical experiences.
- Explore industrial controls using Siemens hardware and software.
- Learn how to program Programmable Logic Controllers using Siemens Logo’s and S7-1200’s software. Integrate VFD’s and HMI’s into your programming to control motors and other various industrial controls.
Admission Requirements and Process
Students applying for admission to Dunwoody College of Technology must provide a final, official high school transcript (with graduation date) or a GED score from a recognized GED testing center. Admission decisions are based on a careful, overall assessment of each student’s academic preparation and performance, as well as the additional information provided in the application. Additional requirements may be required for certain programs.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GEDProvide a final, official high school transcript (with graduation date) or a GED score from a recognized GED testing center.
- College transcriptsIf you have completed college credits and intend to apply for federal financial aid, or want the credits considered for transfer, an official transcript from that institution is…
- Admission reviewAdmission decisions weigh coursework through high school graduation, any previous college-level coursework, grade point average and the application essay.
- Test scores optionalACT, SAT or PSAT scores are considered if available but are not required.
- ImmunizationMinnesota law (M.S. 135A.14) requires students born after 1956 to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella; accepted students fill out an immunization…
- OrientationOrientation is an enrollment requirement for all new students; admitted students are mailed information on Orientation sessions.
Application Process
- 1Fill out an application for admissionRegister for Dunwoody’s Admissions portal and start your application; you can save your progress and come back to it.
- 2Provide official transcriptsRequest official transcripts from all educational institutions attended (including high school), sent directly to the Dunwoody Admissions Office, or have your GED scores sent.
- 3Personal interviewA personal interview with an Admissions Counselor is recommended to ensure Dunwoody is the right fit for your educational and career goals.
- 4Admissions decisionYour completed file goes to the admissions committee, which meets once a week; students are notified of decisions within four business days.
- 5Apply for financial aidComplete the FAFSA (Dunwoody school code 004641); a completed FAFSA is also required to be considered for Dunwoody scholarships.FAFSA Code for Minneapolis Campus: 004641Complete FAFSA Application
- 6Attend orientationAdmitted students are mailed information on Orientation, an enrollment requirement for all new students, where they receive their class schedule and student ID.
Program Schedule
Length of program. 2 years (4 semesters).
Classes offered. Day/Evening.
Available starts. Fall Semester; Spring Semester.
Upcoming start dates. January 25, 2027, August 30, 2027, January 24, 2028 (per the 2026-2027 academic calendar).
- January 25th, 2027
- August 30th, 2027
- January 24th, 2028
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program cost (2026-27). Total program tuition is $65,517 (Year 1: $32,382; Year 2: $33,135). Required fees (device) total $996 and books, supplies, materials and course/program fees total $1,165, for an estimated total program cost of $67,678.
Cost of attendance. For the 2025-26 academic year Dunwoody lists average annual costs (which vary by program) of $27,704 tuition, $744 books and supplies and $710 fees, plus living expenses of $3,898 food, $11,766 on-campus or $12,106 off-campus housing, $2,000 transportation and $2,200 miscellaneous.
Financial aid. Most Dunwoody students receive some form of financial aid, including federal and state grants, federal loans and work study. Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Dunwoody’s federal school code is 004641. A completed FAFSA is also required to be considered for Dunwoody scholarships, and each year Dunwoody gives out nearly $4 million in scholarship funding.
Minnesota programs. Dunwoody participates in the Minnesota State Grant, Dream Act, Postsecondary Child Care Grant, GI Bill Scholarship, Indian Scholarship, Fostering Independence Grant, State Work-Study and SELF Loan programs.
Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Dunwoody as a Benefits Eligible College, and Dunwoody is a Yellow Ribbon School. Dunwoody waives the application fee and enrollment fees for veterans and military students.
Payment plans. Dunwoody offers a payment plan option for students to divide the balance owed each semester into smaller payments; students must enroll in the payment plan each semester.
Curriculum
The Electrical Construction & Maintenance (ELEC), AAS requires 72 credits. By the end of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the mechanical skills necessary for electrical work.
- Interpret the National Electrical Code and other related applications.
- Apply the electrical code and theory with practical applications.
- Read, write, and evaluate electrical drawings.
- Install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems and equipment.
- Demonstrate required industry safety standards.
Class topics include:
- Electrical circuits
- Transformers, generators, and distribution equipment
- Drafting, designing, and BIM modeling
- Lighting and low voltage systems
- Power system analysis
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Common job titles. Possible job titles upon graduation include:
- Apprentice Electrician
- Maintenance Electrician
- Power Limited Technician
- Solar Installer
Recent employers of graduates. Companies that hire our graduates include:
- IBEW Local Union 292 & 110
- Cal-Tex Electric
- Cedar View Electric
- Laketown Electric
2024-25 graduate outcomes. Of 67 Electrical Construction & Maintenance graduates in 2024-25, the in-field employment rate was 81% and the career outcomes rate was 96% (Dunwoody Career Services Annual Report 2024-2025; employment recorded up to six months after graduation).
Average salary. $54K (Construction Sciences & Building Technology, A.A.S.; 2023-24 Dunwoody Career Services Annual Report, as shown on the program page).
What to expect as a Dunwoody College of Technology student
Student organizations. Opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom include:
- National Electrical Contractors Association Student Chapter (NECA)
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK)
- SkillsUSA
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Dunwoody College of Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Electrical Construction & Maintenance is a Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry approved two-year electrical program (last approval Oct. 5, 2023).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Minneapolis Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 9 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 99.4% rather than 100%.
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