Air Traffic Control

The FAA ranked the University of Alaska Anchorage program 3rd  out of 23 approved College Training Initiative (CTI) Air Traffic Control (ATC) schools.

The UAA Air Traffic Control program  enables our students to master their ATC skill set prior to attending the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.  To accomplish this, our ATC Tower, Approach and En Route Radar labs only accept 4 to 8 students in each lab session, providing the student a high level of individual attention.

To date, the UAA Air Traffic Control program has graduated over 400 students and more than 99% have successfully completed the FAA Academy after graduation.UAA has an option to match your preparation and background:

EIGHTEEN MONTH PROGRAM:  To be eligible for the 18 month program, you must place into freshman English, and elementary algebra either through SAT/ACT scores or by taking the ACCUPLACER test (offered at UAA).  AAS in Air Traffic Control progam information.  * If you begin in the summer semester (end of May each year), you can graduate in December of the following year (about 1 ½ years).* 

TWO YEAR PROGRAM:  This program accommodates the beginning college student.  You may start in summer, fall, or spring semesters and graduate in two years.  *

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 BS degree.  This makes an easy transition from the AAS to the BS degree.   The FAA does not differentiate between two or four-year degrees for initial employment as an Air Traffic Controller.  However, many of our students recognize they may wish to work as a  manager or trainer in the future and continue on with the BS degree after completion of the AAS degree.

*Because we restrict the number of students in our ATC labs to 40 each semester, you must obtain prior approval from the Aviation Academic Advisor before final acceptance is given into the 12, 18, and 24-month programs.  Please make an advising appointment by calling 907-786-7200 or 907-786-7205.

The Air Traffic Control program prepares students for employment in air traffic control careers. Areas of study include; aviation weather, radar environment, air traffic control regulations, ATC training using UAA's TOWER and RADAR simulators, and practice controlling airplanes in a lab.

Students with no prior air traffic background should begin course work in the fall semester. Early registration is strongly recommended. The Federal Aviation Administration has designated University of Alaska Anchorage as a Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program, enhancing the competitiveness of our graduates.

This program is equipped with state-of-the-art simulation equipment in both terminal & enroute radar control and tower operations.

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, such as:
- Air traffic control specialist medical examination
- 31-year-old maximum age restriction for students anticipating employment in terminal or enroute options.

Students may choose between two academic programs; associate of applied science degree and bachelor of science degree.  Prospective students are required to read our CTI information before contacting us for academic advising on the Air Traffic Control program.  This document will give you a greater understanding of our program and make your academic advising easier.

It is also very important to follow all our recommendations once you become a student to ensure your academic and professional career progress as expected.  Please read and fully understand our ATC Student Responsibilities document.

Air Traffic Control
Associate of Applied Science
This is a 2-year degree requiring 60 credits to complete, 15 of which also meet AAS general degree 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, you 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.

Air Traffic Control
Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology - Air Traffic Control
This is a 4-year degree requiring 122 credits to complete, including General Education Requirements for baccalaureate degrees and aviation specific courses.  You may download the degree checklist, ane the degree sequence checklist  which will come to good use when you discuss your academic plans with our advisor.

Upon graduation in the bachelor of science degree, you 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.