Air traffic control A.A.S.
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Air traffic control A.A.S.
Prepare for jobs as FAA air traffic controllers and to take the FAA Flight Dispatcher exam in the air traffic control associate degree program at UAA.
Explore the air traffic control associate degree program at the University of Alaska Anchorage
UAA’s air traffic control program prepares you for careers in air traffic in both
the private and public sectors – in Alaska and nationwide. It also prepares you to
take the FAA Flight Dispatcher exam and to work as an aircraft flight dispatcher.
UAA’s associate degree program is one of 36 air traffic control programs in colleges
and universities nationwide approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as a participant
in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). It is also one of the only programs staffed
exclusively by former FAA air traffic controllers.
Air traffic control scholarships and financial aid
Get help with tuition and education costs. UAA offers a variety of scholarships and
other types of financial assistance you may be eligible for in the air traffic control
program, including the Professional Women’s Controllers and Women in Aviation scholarships.
Learn more about financial aid opportunities at UAA.
Age and Physical Requirements
UAA has no restrictions on age or physical condition of students participating in
this degree program. However, applicants to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
must be under 31 years old at the time of application. Additionally, air traffic
controllers must be able to pass an FAA class II medical exam to ensure they are healthy
enough to safely perform job duties. There are no age requirements for students choosing
to pursue a flight dispatcher career, nor will they be required to pass a physical
exam.
Did you know..
Many of the FAA air traffic managers from the local Anchorage facilities are graduates of UAA's program. UAA’s tower simulator has been used by the FAA for federal research. UAA faculty have also created and delivered basic aviation curriculum to private facilities who work in the oil and gas industry.
What can you do with an air traffic control degree from UAA?
Most students graduating from the Air Traffic Control program pursue a career with the FAA, working in one of the positions listed below.
- Tower Controllers: These controllers coordinate and direct traffic for aircraft that are landing, taking off, or moving from one place to another at an airport. This includes ground movement of airplanes and service vehicles on taxiways and runways.
- TRACON Controllers: TRACON stands for Terminal Radar Approach Control Center. These controllers monitor and direct traffic near areas with one or more high-traffic airports.
- En-Route Controllers: These controllers work at Air Route Traffic Control Centers, managing large geographical areas and working with pilots to maintain safe distance between aircraft as they travel from one airport to another.
By the numbers..
Air traffic control associate degree program highlights
Led by experienced air traffic control professionals, UAA’s associate degree program offers state-of-the-art facilities and extensive career building opportunities. These are some of the top reasons to earn your associate degree in air traffic control at UAA:
- Learn using state-of-the-art labs and equipment. UAA has one of the only 360-degree tower simulators in the country. The program also features labs covering each of the air traffic specialties, including En Route, TRACON and Tower.
- Work closely with experienced air traffic controllers. UAA offers one of the only programs staffed exclusively by former FAA air traffic controllers. One instructor is the published author of an air traffic control textbook, and all faculty members are accessible and dedicated to helping students succeed.
- Join a program with strong industry partnerships. UAA’s aviation programs feature an industry advisement committee that includes representatives from large and small aviation companies from across the state of Alaska.
- Take part in campus clubs and organizations. Make new friends while building your professional network. Opportunities include UAA’s professional chapter of Alpha Eta Rho, an international aviation co-ed fraternity.
- Pursue advanced degrees in air traffic control and aviation. The air traffic control program offers seamless integration from the associate degree to a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology.
Air traffic control associate degree program curriculum
The Associate of Applied Science degree prepares you for careers in air traffic control and for entry into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy. Coursework covers a broad range of knowledge and skills related to aircraft operating limitations and performance, weather and atmospheric processes, radar theory and radar systems, federal regulations, the U.S. air traffic control system and navigation methods within the National Airspace System. The associate degree in air traffic control requires a total of 63 credits.Top classes for air traffic control majors
- Control Tower Operations Lab
- ATC Terminal Radar Procedures Lab
- ATC Flight Procedures
- ATC Regulations
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