ESD Overview & Career Path

CEDIA University’s Electronic Systems Designer (ESD) curriculum prepares participants to apply scientific and engineering knowledge, methods, and techniques in their role as a designer, who wears a variety of hats within their company. The curriculum is intended for those who design the systems, specify the equipment, formulate system set-up, direct the installation, define system operation, and more. Many courses also address the designer’s integral role as an interface with the client; performing needs assessment, addressing lifestyle issues, and optimizing interfaces for primary and secondary users.

The 300 and 400 level curriculum is applications-oriented and builds upon a background of applied science and mathematics, including the application of core theoretical information provided in the 100 and 200 level courses as well as CEDIA Recommended Practices and Technical Reference Manual. Participants are prepared to use their knowledge base to produce practical, workable, and safe solutions in a variety of residential technologies, including whole-house audio, home theater, and the virtually unlimited world of sub-system integration (security, HVAC, lighting, motorization, environmental system, and more).

The ESD curriculum overview below visually guides participants through the four learning levels within the college. Once a designer has mastered the fundamentals of audio, video, and control – it is recommended he/she keep his/her knowledge base broad by exploring all the different disciplines, sub-systems, and ancillary skills needed to be effective. The overview below shows this career pathway, from the basics to “master” level.