Electrical Engineering Major

Electrical Engineering Major

Electrical Engineering

Major

The Electrical Engineering major is devoted to the idea of design-simulate-build-test. Majors have the necessary skills to see projects through from requirements to working devices that meet real needs for customers.

Offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

Are you curious about how electronics work - from radar systems to smart sensors, drones, communications, or energy systems? Do you want to build and improve the technology that keeps soldiers connected, protected, and effective on the battlefield? The Electrical Engineering major at the United States Military Academy at West Point gives cadets the skills to design, power, and lead in a world driven by electricity and innovation.

What Is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical Engineering is the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetic systems. It’s about designing and building the components and systems that power everything from smartphones and satellites to military vehicles, secure networks, and robotic systems.

At West Point, Electrical Engineering is mission-driven - helping cadets understand how to use this powerful technology to solve real-world Army problems and lead in high-tech, high-stakes environments. Design solutions. Power the mission. Lead the future. That’s Electrical Engineering at West Point.

Why Choose Electrical Engineering at USMA?

  • STEM Leadership with Real-World Impact
    Cadets graduate with a rigorous, ABET-accredited engineering degree and the leadership skills to apply it in combat, logistics, communications, or innovation roles.
  • Tech That Powers the Force
    The Army depends on electrical engineers for command-and-control systems, cyber defense, radar, unmanned systems, and more - making graduates a key player in modern military operations.
  • Versatile and In-Demand
    This major opens doors in cyber, aviation, space, signal corps, engineering units, and is highly respected for careers in government, tech, and defense sectors.
  • Advanced Study and Career Growth
    Whether a cadet wants to pursue graduate school, Army-funded research, or tech innovation, this major prepares them to thrive in complex, technical roles.

What To Do With This Major?

With a degree in Electrical Engineering from West Point, graduates can:

  • Lead as an Army officer in cyber, aviation, communications, or engineering roles
  • Design defense tech, radar systems, or robotics for the military
  • Work in top industries like aerospace, energy, or electronics
  • Join government agencies like NASA, DARPA, or the Department of Defense
  • Go to grad school and specialize in AI, renewable energy, or advanced electronics

Interested Cadets

Are you interested in how circuits work, how robots move, or how communication systems stay secure? The Electrical Engineering major at West Point is perfect if you like building, solving problems, and using technology to power the future - on the battlefield and beyond.

Electrical engineers design, build, and improve everything from radar systems and satellites to power grids, robotics, and wireless networks. If you're looking for a hands-on, high-tech major that leads to exciting Army and civilian careers, this is it.

Why Consider This Major

If a cadet loves solving problems, working with technology, building things, or understanding how devices work, Electrical Engineering is an exciting and rewarding path. At West Point, they not only learn how to innovate - they learn how to lead teams that apply that innovation to support and protect others.

Cadets graduate with a top-tier engineering degree, debt-free, and ready to lead in a world that increasingly depends on smart, resilient electrical systems.

What Cadets Learn

In this major, they gain a strong foundation in how electrical systems work and how to design them. Topics include:

  • Circuits and Systems – the building blocks of electronics and machines
  • Signals and Communications – how data is sent, received, and protected
  • Electromagnetics – how electricity and magnetism power devices
  • Digital Logic and Microprocessors – how computers “think” and process data
  • Power Systems and Renewable Energy – how electricity moves and how to harness clean energy sources

Cadets apply their knowledge through labs, design projects, and team challenges that reflect real Army needs.

Choice of Electives

Cadets choose electives that match their interests and career goals, like:

  • Robotics and Control Systems – design machines that move, react, and complete missions
  • Wireless Communications – study how phones, radios, and satellites send data
  • Renewable Energy Systems – explore solar, wind, and smart grid tech
  • Embedded Systems – program the “brains” behind devices
  • Electronic Warfare and Signal Processing – learn how to detect, disrupt, or protect digital communications

Learn More

Outside the classroom, many electrical engineering majors participate in activities that are great fun and professionally rewarding. Cadets in this major have the opportunity to apply for a summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience, to apply their knowledge in research and operational settings at locations throughout the world, normally for four to seven weeks. 

Honor Societies:

To learn more about enrichment in this area of study, visit the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science or the Cyber Research Center and the Photonics Research Center.

Electrical Engineering Program Educational Objectives, Student Outcomes, and Enrollment Data  

Our Electrical Engineering Program is devoted to the idea of design-simulate-build-test. Cadets graduating from the program have the necessary skills to see projects through from requirements to working devices that meet real needs for customers. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in electrical engineering at the United States Military Academy is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical Engineering Programs Criteria. 

We design and change the program by first considering, along with our program constituents, what our graduates should be able to do five to seven years after completing the program, combining their academic learning with later experience. This produces our objectives, which we adjust every several years, again with the help of constituents.  

Program Educational Objectives 

  • Five to seven years after graduation, cadets who major in electrical engineering will have been successful Army officers who have:  

  • Applied their engineering, management, and leadership skills in service of their country.  

  • Demonstrated intellectual growth through self-study, continuing education, and professional development in the Army.  

  • Provided technical leadership and disciplinary knowledge as Army officers with a broad understanding of the potential ethical and societal impacts of technology.  

  • Applied engineering methodology and creativity to Army problems while effectively communicating across mediums and cultures.  

In order to reach these objectives, which are rather abstract, we make day-to-day decisions about courses and lessons using desired outcomes. These list the things our cadets should be able to do upon graduation. We consider adjustments to outcomes each year when program assessment results are reviewed.  

Student Outcomes 

  • Upon graduation, cadets who major in electrical engineering can:  

  • Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. 

  • Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. 

  • Communicate effectively with a range of audiences. 

  • Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts. 

  • Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives. 

  • Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions. 

  • Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.