Overview
Eligible Program
careers
Apprentice Electrician
Residential Electrician
Industrial Electrician
Estimator
The Electrical Construction and Maintenance program at Mitchell Technical College is designed to provide basic training in maintenance and new construction wiring in both residential and commercial buildings. The program emphasizes a combination of theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Additional coursework includes fiber optic and data cabling as well as programmable logic controls.
The program begins with a review of basic math as it relates to the electrical trade and an introduction to hand tools, materials, basic electrical resistive theory, wire sizing, circuit construction, and troubleshooting. The program continues with basic through advanced motor controls, motor theory and maintenance, installation and maintenance of equipment, blueprint reading, estimating, electrical codes, and instruction in job-seeking skills.
The successful student in this program will demonstrate various skills and abilities, including manual dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and multi-limb coordination; visual color discrimination and near vision; reasoning, information ordering, and problem-solving; and communication with supervisors, peers, and subordinates. In addition, students must be able to perform general physical activities like climbing, lifting, walking, stooping, and handling materials, and must be able to climb a 6-foot ladder.
Apprentice electrical jobs in residential, commercial, and industrial areas are open to Mitchell Tech graduates. Positions are available with electrical contractors and maintenance companies, and with regional substations and utility companies. Incoming students are licensed as apprentice electricians in South Dakota. Upon completion of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program, a Mitchell Tech graduate receives 2,000 hours towards certification as a journeyman with a South Dakota electrician’s license.
Graduates will receive one year’s experience credit allowance for a Class A journeyman electrician, power limited technician, or maintenance electrician license in the state of Minnesota, or apprentice credit by the state of Iowa. Talk with a Mitchell Tech ECM instructor for more information.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Optional Third-Year — Automation Controls/SCADA
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
Requirements
Computer Requirements
This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,150 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into a Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
Licensure Disclosure
Most states require electricians to be licensed through a combination of hours of experience, exams, and training. Incoming Mitchell Tech students are licensed as apprentice electricians in South Dakota. Upon completion of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program, a Mitchell Tech graduate receives 2,000 hours towards their journeyman license in South Dakota. Mitchell Tech strongly encourages prospective students to verify that Mitchell Tech’s coursework will meet the educational or training requirements, if any, for licensure in the state they plan to work.
Mitchell Technical College has determined that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Mitchell Technical College has determined that our program’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in Alaska, California.
Mitchell Technical College has made no determination that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
You may contact the Vice President for Enrollment Services, Clayton Deuter, at 605.995.7132 for questions regarding licensure.
Outcomes
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in practicing safety and recognizing and correcting potential hazards.
- Demonstrate competence in work attitude and attendance.
- Understand the behavior and principles that govern AC and DC electrical circuits.
- Demonstrate entry-level skills for accuracy in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations and maintenance services.
- Use the National Electrical Code to legally and safely install electrical installations with supervision.
- Install and troubleshoot basic motors and control systems.
- Install controls and set parameters for remote operation of an Allen-Bradley variable frequency drive (VFD).
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2025-26 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Faculty
Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
Program Coordinator / Instructor
Instructor
Cost
Other Required Costs
Laptop/Software $1,600
Books / Tools (estimated) $1,980
Scholarships
Mitchell Tech offers a variety of scholarships to qualified applicants. The application period runs from October 1 through November 1 for current students and January 1 through March 31 for incoming students.
Other Related Programs
If you’re interested in Electrical Construction & Maintenance, you might also be interested in these other construction & manufacturing programs at Mitchell Tech.
Architectural Design & Building Construction
Heating & Cooling Technology
Welding Engineering Technology
