Air Traffic Control

The Federal Aviation Administration has designated the University of Alaska Anchorage as part of the College Training Initiative program. UAA is one of 33 approved CTI Air Traffic Control schools across the nation and was one of the five original schools approved at the program's beginning. To date, the UAA ATC program has graduated more than 400 students. UAA boasts a high graduation rate at the Federal Aviation Administration Academy after graduation from UAA. 

Areas of study include aviation weather, radar environment and air traffic control regulations. The UAA Air Traffic Control program enables students to master their ATC skill set prior to attending the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and prepares them for employment in air traffic control careers.

Students enroll in lab classes using state-of-the-art simulation equipment in ATC Tower, Approach and En Route Radar. ATC labs only accept four to eight students in each lab session, providing the student a high level of individual attention. 

UAA has no restrictions on age or physical condition of students entering into the program. However, students desiring employment with the Federal Aviation Administration should be aware of FAA employment requirements, which include the following:

• Air Traffic control specialist medical examination;
• 31-year-old maximum age restriction for students anticipating employment in terminal or en-route options.

Students with no prior air traffic background should begin course work in the fall semester. Early registration is strongly recommended. Prospective students are required to read our CTI information document [PDF] before contacting us for academic advising on the Air Traffic Control program. This document will provide a greater understanding of our program and make your academic advising easier.

Whatever your plans, UAA has an option to match your preparation and background:

Eighteen-Month Program: To be eligible for the 18-month program, students must place into freshman composition (ENGL 111) and intermediate algebra (MATH 105) or higher, either through SAT/ACT scores or by taking the ACCUPLACER test (offered at UAA's Advising & Testing Center, found in the University Center). Courses required are identical to those for the two-year AAS degree, but a fixed course sequence beginning in the summer semester allows graduation in December of the following year. Please review the A.A.S. in Air Traffic Control program information [PDF] for specific courses. 

Two-Year Program: This program accommodates the beginning college student. You may start in summer, fall or spring semesters and graduate in two years.

Please note: Because we restrict the number of students in our ATC labs to 40 each semester, students must obtain prior approval from the Aviation academic adviser before final acceptance is given into the 18-month and two-year programs. Please make an advising appointment by  calling 907-786-7200 or 907-786-7205.

Four-Year Program: UAA offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology with an emphasis in Air Traffic Control. All ATC courses required for the AAS (two-year) degree are also required for the B.S. degree, allowing for an easy transition from the associate to the bachelor's degree. The FAA does not differentiate between two- and four-year degrees for initial employment as an Air Traffic Controller. However, many of our students recognize that they may wish to work as a  manager or trainer in the future and continue on with the four-year degree after completion of the A.A.S.

This is a two-year degree requiring 60 credits to complete, 15 of which also meet AAS general degree requirements; check the current course catalog for a complete list of these general requirements. For a full program listing, please download our AAS in Air Traffic Control program information [PDF]. Upon graduation in the associate of applied science degree, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of aircraft operating limitations and performance, including methods of air and ground navigation within the National Airspace System.
• Demonstrate knowledge of weather and atmospheric processes, and how weather phenomenon affects aviation operations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between federal regulations, FAA publications, and the U.S. air traffic control system.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fundamentals of aircraft separation in radar, nonradar and terminal environments, as well as operating techniques of ATC facilities in visual and instrument conditions.
  
  

This is a four-year degree requiring 122 credits to complete, including aviation-specific courses and General Education Requirements for baccalaureate degrees (review a complete list of GERs in the current course catalog). You may download the degree checklist and the recommended course sequence, which will be useful in discussing your academic plans with our adviser.

Upon completion of the bachelor of science degree, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of aircraft operating limitations and performance, including methods of air and ground navigation within the National Airspace System.
• Demonstrate knowledge of weather and atmospheric processes, and how each affect the air traffic control system.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Federal Regulations and the U.S. air traffic control system interactions, including FAA publications.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fundamentals of aircraft separation in radar, nonradar and terminal environments, as well as operating techniques of ATC facilities in visual and instrument conditions.
• Demonstrate awareness of ATC industry trends, future developments, global implications, and current management practices and techniques.
• Demonstrate broad knowledge of the aviation industry.