Bachelor of Science in
Air Traffic Management

The B.S. in Air Traffic Management prepares students for entry-level controller positions at an FAA-designated Collegiate Training Initiative School.

About the Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management

The Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management at Embry‑Riddle prepares graduates for a thrilling career in air traffic control. One of just a small number of universities granted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designation as a Collegiate Training Initiative School, Embry‑Riddle’s air traffic control program is taught by passionate, knowledgeable professors who have held positions as air traffic controllers themselves.

The air traffic controller degree equips you with the essential knowledge and foundation required to enter the FAA Academy. Through a formal partnership agreement with the FAA, Embry-Riddle consistently meets and exceeds FAA demands and standards. Our graduates consistently excel at the FAA Academy each year, a testament to the high quality of education and experience they receive at Embry-Riddle.

Student Learning Outcomes

What you will learn while studying in the air traffic controller program:

Comprehend Air Traffic Control operations pertinent to aircraft
Ability to understand radar separation of aircraft
Interpret Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP), Departure Procedure (DP) and Standard Arrival Route (STAR) Charts
Skills in radar separation procedures, airspace protection, speed adjustments and vectoring techniques
Knowledge of basic VFR Control Tower operations, including duties and responsibilities

Air Traffic Management Career Opportunities

Careers and Employers

Embry-Riddle graduates tend to secure roles as pilot operators, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers and ground controllers, with a placement rate of 100% within a year of graduation.

Students in the air traffic controller program often enter the industry through top companies such as:

Raytheon
Federal Aviation Administration
The Boeing Company
Lockheed Martin
SAIC (Science Application International Corporation)

Air Traffic Management Salary Information

Air Traffic Controllers are some of the highest paid government employees, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a median annual salary of $129,750.

DETAILS

This offering is available at the following campuses. Select a campus to learn more.

Daytona Beach, FL Campus

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Daytona Beach, FL Campus

Prescott, AZ Campus

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Prescott, AZ Campus

About Air Traffic Management at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

The Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management is housed in the Department of Applied Aviation Sciences in the College of Aviation. At the Daytona Beach Campus, students get real-world training in the largest interactive air traffic control lab in the U.S. Embry-Riddle is also the only institution that provides an international air traffic management study abroad program.

Many courses take place in the College of Aviation building, which features an abundance of simulation labs, a weather center and meteorology labs. The campus maintains a modern fleet of aircraft and a host of advanced flight simulation devices with advanced visual systems.

Air Traffic Management Information

Credits: 120
Online or In-Person: In-Person

Professional Accreditation

The Air Traffic Management program is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

Helpful Links

Tour our Daytona Beach campus
Discover the Department's Faculty
Explore the Fields of Study: Applied Science & Aviation
Find Related Clubs & Organizations

General Education Requirements*

For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.

Communication Theory & Skills		9
Lower-Level Humanities		3
Lower-Level Social Sciences		3
Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences		3
Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences		3
Computer Science		3
Mathematics (MA 111 and MA 112)		6
Physical and Life Sciences (WX 201 required)		6
Total Credits		36

Air Traffic Management Core

AT 202	Introduction to Air Traffic Management ^**	3
AT 305	Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations	3
AT 306	Safety in Air Traffic Management ^**	3
AT 307	Global Harmonization in Air Traffic Management ^**	3
AT 315	Introduction to Air Traffic Control Tower ^**	3
AT 401	Advanced Terminal Radar Operations ^**	3
AT 405	En route Radar Operations	3
AT 415	Advanced Air Traffic Control Tower	3
AT 425	Collaborative Air Traffic Management	3
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
BA 310	Airport Management	3
BA 315	Airline Management	3
SF 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
WX 301	Aviation Weather	3
Total Credits		42

Aviation Related Minor or Breadth Area (Approved by AAS department)		15-24
Open Electives Upper Level		6
Open Electives		12-21
Total Degree Credits		120

*: Embry-Riddle courses in the general education categories of Communication Theory and Skills, Computer Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences may be chosen from those listed below, assuming prerequisite requirements are met. Courses from other institutions are acceptable if they fall into these broad categories and are at the level specified in the Air Traffic Management vertical outline.

**: May be taken as a (HYB) Hybrid course.

Suggested Plan of Study

Students should be aware that several courses in each academic year might have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Please check the course descriptions in this catalog before registering for classes to ensure requisite sequencing.

Year One
		Credits
AT 202	Introduction to Air Traffic Management	3
MA 111	Pre-Calculus for Aviation	3
MA 112	Applied Calculus for Aviation	3
WX 201	Survey of Meteorology	3
	Communication Theory and Skills	6
	Computer Science Elective	3
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
	Open Elective	3
	Physical Sciences with Laboratory	3
	Credits Subtotal	30.0
Year Two
AT 305	Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations	3
AT 306	Safety in Air Traffic Management	3
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
BA 310	Airport Management	3
SF 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
	Communication Theory and Skills	3
	Lower-Level Social Science	3
	Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science	3
	Upper or Lower-Level Humanities or Social Science	3
	Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	30.0
Year Three
AT 307	Global Harmonization in Air Traffic Management	3
AT 315	Introduction to Air Traffic Control Tower	3
AT 401	Advanced Terminal Radar Operations	3
AT 405	En route Radar Operations	3
BA 315	Airline Management	3
WX 301	Aviation Weather	3
	Open Elective Upper-Level	6
	Open Elective	3
	Minor Requirement	3
	Credits Subtotal	30.0
Year Four
AT 415	Advanced Air Traffic Control Tower	3
AT 425	Collaborative Air Traffic Management	3
	Minor or breadth area - approved by the Applied Aviation Sciences Department	15-24
	Open Elective (subject to Minor requirements)	3-9
	Credits Subtotal	24.0-39.0
	Credits Total:	120

For course descriptions, education requirements, curriculum, and suggested plan of study, please see the Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management in the Daytona Beach Catalog.

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Summary

120 Credits

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Spotlight

Air Traffic Management Student Starts Jewelry Business with a Higher Purpose

Air Traffic Management student Rachel St. Louis has a side business that is helping her fund the construction of her own airplane.

About Air Traffic Management at the Prescott, AZ Campus

The Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management is housed in the Department of Aeronautical Science in the College of Aviation. In addition to Air Traffic Management courses, the curriculum is designed to provide exposure to procedures and operations consistent with those found in FAA air traffic control facilities.

Prescott students attend classes that incorporate computer-based simulation training in all areas of air traffic control, even unmanned aircraft. The campus maintains a modern fleet of aircraft and a host of advanced flight simulation devices with advanced visual systems.

Air Traffic Management Information

Credits: 120
Online or In-Person: In-Person

Helpful Links

Tour our Prescott campus
Discover the Department's Faculty
Explore the Fields of Study: Applied Science & Aviation
Find Related Clubs & Organizations

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Air Traffic Management requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours, normally completed in eight semesters. A minimum of 40 semester hours must be upper-level. Students are required to complete MA 111 and MA 112.

Students must select and complete one minor field of study, as approved by the Applied Aviation Sciences Department. Total credits within the minor will vary depending on which minor is chosen. Students typically select a minor that will enhance their aviation career.

Program Requirements

General Education

Embry-Riddle degree programs require students to complete a minimum of 36 hours of General Education coursework. For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog.

Students may choose other classes outside of their requirements, but doing so can result in the student having to complete more than the degree's 120 credit hours. This will result in additional time and cost to the student.

Communication Theory and Skills		9
Computer Science/Information Technology		3
Mathematics		6
Physical and Life Sciences (Natural Sciences)		6
Humanities and Social Sciences		12
3 hours of Lower-Level Humanities
3 hours of Lower-Level Social Science
3 hours of Lower-Level or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science
3 hours of Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science
Total Credits		36

Air Traffic Management Core (105 Credits)

The following course of study outlines the quickest and most cost-efficient route for students to earn their B.S. in Air Traffic Management. Students are encouraged to follow the course of study to ensure they complete all program required courses and their prerequisites within four years.

Courses in the core with a # will satisfy your general education requirements.

Accounting, Business Administration, or Economics Upper-Level Elective		3
AS 120	Principles of Aeronautical Science	3
AS 125	Private and UAS Pilot Operations	3
AS 221	Instrument Pilot Operations	3
AS 221L	Instrument Pilot Operations Laboratory	1
AS 309	Aerodynamics	3
AS 310	Aircraft Performance	3
AS 350	Domestic and International Navigation	3
AS 359	Aviation Stress Management	3
AS 410	Airline Dispatch Operations	3
AT 200	Air Traffic Basics I	3
AT 302	Air Traffic Basics II	3
AT 305	Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations	3
AT 315	Introduction to Air Traffic Control Tower	3
AT 401	Advanced Terminal Radar Operations	3
AT 405	En route Radar Operations	3
AT 406	En route Non-Radar Operations	3
AT 415	Advanced Air Traffic Control Tower ^**	3
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
COM 122	English Composition ^#	3
General Education - Communication Theory and Skills Elective ^#		6
General Education - Computer Science/Information Technology Elective ^#		3
General Education - Humanities Lower-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Social Science Lower-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Natural Science Elective ^#		3
GEO 210	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
MA 111	Pre-Calculus for Aviation ^#	3
MA 112	Applied Calculus for Aviation ^#	3
SF 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
SF 462	Health, Safety, and Aviation Law	3
WX 201	Survey of Meteorology ^#	3
WX 203L	Survey of Meteorology Laboratory ^#	1
WX 301	Aviation Weather	3
UNIV 101	College Success	1

Minor Requirement (15 Credits)

Minor

Total Credits

120

*: Student must complete at least one minor. Then number of hours required in open electives will be adjusted to meet the 34 hours required to complete the minimum of 120 credits for the degree.
**: Offered in Spring Only
#: General Education Course

Air traffic controllers are required to possess a current FAA 2nd Class or higher medical certificate to receive and exercise the privileges of their FAA Air Traffic Controller certificates. Students should verify their eligibility status for this level medical certificate with an FAA designated medical examiner prior to enrolling in this degree program. The medical certificate is not required for ATM courses or degree enrollment.

Prospective air traffic controllers must be able to complete their university education and have entered the FAA Air Traffic Control Academy prior to reaching their 31st birthday.

FAA air traffic controllers must be U.S. citizens.

All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.

Air Traffic Management - General

Freshman Year
Fall		Credits
AS 120	Principles of Aeronautical Science	3
COM 122	English Composition	3
	Computer Science/Information Technology Elective	3
MA 111	Pre-Calculus for Aviation	3
UNIV 101	College Success	1
	Credits Subtotal	13.0
Spring
AS 125	Private and UAS Pilot Operations	3
AT 200	Air Traffic Basics I	3
GEO 210	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
MA 112	Applied Calculus for Aviation	3
	Natural Science Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Sophomore Year
Fall
AS 221	Instrument Pilot Operations	3
AS 221L	Instrument Pilot Operations Laboratory	1
AT 302	Air Traffic Basics II	3
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
	Communications Elective	3
	Social Science Lower-Level Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Spring
AS 309	Aerodynamics	3
AT 305	Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations	3
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
SF 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
WX 201	Survey of Meteorology	3
WX 203L	Survey of Meteorology Laboratory	1
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Junior Year
Fall
AS 310	Aircraft Performance	3
AS 350	Domestic and International Navigation	3
AT 315	Introduction to Air Traffic Control Tower	3
	Communications Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
	Accounting, Business Administration, or Economics Upper-Level Elective	3
AT 401	Advanced Terminal Radar Operations	3
	Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
WX 301	Aviation Weather	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Senior Year
Fall
	Minor/Open Electives	6
AS 359	Aviation Stress Management	3
AT 405	En route Radar Operations	3
AT 415	Advanced Air Traffic Control Tower	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
AS 410	Airline Dispatch Operations	3
AT 406	En route Non-Radar Operations	3
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
SF 462	Health, Safety, and Aviation Law	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
	Credits Total:	120

For course descriptions, education requirements, curriculum, and suggested plan of study, please see the Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management in the Prescott Catalog.