Electrical Trades is a Diploma program offered by Fortis College in Birmingham, AL. The program takes 48 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $19,468.
Program Overview
The Electrical Trades program prepares students for a rewarding career as an electrician's apprentice, training in residential, commercial, and industrial electricity. Safe work habits are reinforced throughout, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) is covered extensively, along with OSHA standards for a safe electrical work environment.
Students start with basic electrical theory and progress to how electricity is produced for everyday use. Core classes such as Alternating Current Theory, A.C. Motors and Controls, and Three-Phase Power and Transformers build fundamental knowledge, while lab instruction develops hands-on skills in conduit bending, motors and controls, schematic interpretation, and troubleshooting.
What sets this Program apart
- Earn an Electrical Trades diploma in about 48 weeks.
- Covers residential, commercial, and industrial electricity with extensive National Electrical Code (NEC) instruction.
- Hands-on lab work in conduit bending, motor controls, schematics, and troubleshooting.
- Includes three-phase power, transformers, and commercial/industrial circuits and controllers.
- Prepares graduates to enter the workforce as entry-level electricians and electrical apprentices.
General Requirements
- A high school diploma or its recognised equivalent, with documentation. Foreign credentials must be translated into English and evaluated as equivalent or higher by a NACES-member…
- You must be at least 17 years old when your program of study starts.
- Complete an applicant information form and interview with an admissions advisor or other administrative staff.
- Achieve the campus’s published minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). A passing score is valid for three years; ask the campus for this program’s minimum.
- Meet all financial obligations and complete the tuition payment requirements.
- Sign the Fortis enrollment agreement once accepted.
Application Process
- 1Speak to an admissions advisorEvery applicant is assigned an admissions advisor who explains the curriculum and policies and books the interviews you need.
- 2Submit your documentationProvide proof of high school completion and complete the applicant information form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure Fortis receives every required document.
- 3Sit the Wonderlic SLETake the Scholastic Level Exam and reach this program’s published minimum. Accommodations must be requested under the catalog’s policy — campus staff cannot approve them.
- 4Financial aidFortis participates in federal student aid including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, PLUS Loans and Federal Work-Study. File the FAFSA and meet the campus financial aid office.FAFSA Code for Fortis Institute in Birmingham: 030108Complete FAFSA Application
- 5Sign the enrollment agreementAdmission decisions weigh your fulfilment of the requirements, your previous educational records and your career interests.
Program Schedule
Classes meet mornings, 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., or evenings, 6:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Hours are subject to change.
The program is 64 quarter credits (960 contact hours; 1,600 total clock hours including recognized homework), completed in 48 weeks, on-campus.
- December 14th, 2026
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SKW101 | Introduction to the Skilled Professions | 4 |
| MAT110 | Applied Mathematics | 4 |
| PDC200 | Career Development | 4 |
| ELC110 | Principles of Electricity | 4 |
| ELC115 | Low Voltage Principles and Standards | 4 |
| ELC120 | Electronics for Electricians | 4 |
| ELC125 | National Electrical Code Principles | 4 |
| ELC130 | National Electrical Code Applications | 4 |
| ELC135 | Residential Circuitry and Design | 4 |
| ELC140 | Residential Construction and Branch Circuits | 4 |
| ELC145 | Electricity Essentials: Three Phase Power and Transformers | 4 |
| ELC150 | Motor Controls | 4 |
| ELC155 | Motor Controls Maintenance | 4 |
| ELC160 | Commercial and Industrial Circuits | 4 |
| ELC165 | Commercial and Industrial Controllers | 4 |
| ELC170 | Home Integration | 4 |
| Totals | 64 |
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited program means your education has met independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
Fortis Institute in Birmingham holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Fortis Institute in Birmingham Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
The total program cost of $23,461 covers tuition plus the required fees and materials below:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $19,468 |
| Administrative & technology fee | $100 |
| Student kit | $749 |
| E-books | $2,203 |
| Laptop computer | $941 |
| Total program cost | $23,461 |
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Fortis participates in federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans for parents, and Federal Work-Study. Complete the FAFSA and speak with the campus financial aid office to learn what you are eligible for.
Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKW101 | Introduction to the Skilled Professions | 60 | 4 |
| MAT110 | Applied Mathematics | 60 | 4 |
| PDC200 | Career Development | 60 | 4 |
| ELC110 | Principles of Electricity | 60 | 4 |
| ELC115 | Low Voltage Principles and Standards | 60 | 4 |
| ELC120 | Electronics for Electricians | 60 | 4 |
| ELC125 | National Electrical Code Principles | 60 | 4 |
| ELC130 | National Electrical Code Applications | 60 | 4 |
| ELC135 | Residential Circuitry and Design | 60 | 4 |
| ELC140 | Residential Construction and Branch Circuits | 60 | 4 |
| ELC145 | Electricity Essentials: Three-Phase Power and Transformers | 60 | 4 |
| ELC150 | Motor Controls | 60 | 4 |
| ELC155 | Motor Controls Maintenance | 60 | 4 |
| ELC160 | Commercial and Industrial Circuits | 60 | 4 |
| ELC165 | Commercial and Industrial Controllers | 60 | 4 |
| ELC170 | Home Integration | 60 | 4 |
| Total | 960 | 64 |
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment in the electrical trades as an apprentice electrician, electrical apprentice, electrician’s helper, cable puller, or unindentured apprentice.
What to expect as a Fortis student
Fortis is a career-focused college. The HVAC-R program follows a set schedule and a fixed course sequence, combining classroom instruction with extensive hands-on lab work on real heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment.
You will train on the tools and testing instruments used in the field and prepare for the EPA Universal Certification exam before graduating.