Associate of Applied Science in Air Traffic Control

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Air Traffic Control prepares students for hire at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Training Academy. The AAS in Air Traffic Control also prepares students to take the FAA Flight Dispatcher exam and prepares them for entry-level jobs in the flight dispatch field.

The AAS in Air Traffic Control constitutes the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology. 

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.

Special Considerations

UAA has no restrictions on age or physical condition of students. However, students desiring employment with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should be aware of employment requirements:

• Medical Certificate is required as depicted in FAR 65.49 and 67 Subpart C.
• Thirty-year-old maximum age restriction for students anticipating employment in terminal or en route options.
• Students must receive a PASS score on the selection screening examination administered by the FAA, but this is subject to change. The examination provides a systematic process for continued enhancement of air traffic selection and training by testing candidates for recognition and cognitive skills required in the air traffic specialty and to identify the “composite controller.”

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
• Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:

A minimum of 65 credits is required for the degree.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Air Traffic Control will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of aircraft operating limitations and performance, including methods of air and ground navigation within the National Airspace System.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of weather and atmospheric processes and how weather phenomena affect aviation operations.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of Federal Regulations and the U.S. air traffic control system interactions, including FAA publications.
4. 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.
5. Demonstrate awareness of ATC industry trends, future developments, global implications, and current management practices and techniques.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of flight dispatcher operations, including weight and balance, flight planning, and fuel requirements.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.