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

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

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Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Conduct operations in the en route air traffic control environment related to non-radar separation and procedures.
Conduct operations using high-fidelity simulation in the en route air traffic control environment related to radar separation and procedures.
Recall information on the basics of air traffic control, including its history, mission, and duty priority.
Conduct operations using high-fidelity simulation in the airport terminal environment related to VFR Control Tower operations.
Conduct operations using high-fidelity simulation in a low volume terminal radar environment related to radar separation and procedures.
Conduct operations using high-fidelity simulation in a high volume, complex terminal radar environment related to radar separation and procedures.
Apply accepted practices in air traffic management to analyze a cumulative knowledge of collaborative air traffic management, traffic flow management, and advanced air traffic management procedures.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Air Traffic Management requires successful completion of a minimum of 122 semester hours, normally completed in eight semesters. A minimum of 40 semester hours must be upper-level.

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.

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.

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 (107 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 general education requirements.

Accounting, Business Administration, or Economics Upper-Level Elective		3
AS 121	Private Pilot Operations	5
AS 125	Private and UAS Pilot Operations	3
AS 207	Introduction to Aviation Research Methods	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 405	Aviation Law	3
AS 410	Airline Dispatch Operations	3
AS 480	Applied Aviation Research Methods	3
AT 202	Introduction to Air Traffic Management	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	Advanced En Route 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
WX 201	Survey of Meteorology ^#	3
WX 203L	Survey of Meteorology Laboratory ^#	1
WX 301	Aviation Weather	3
UNIV 101	College Success	1
Total Credits		107

Minor Requirement (15 Credits)

Minor ^*

Total Credits

122

*: Students must complete at least one minor.
#: 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.

Suggested Plan of Study

Freshman Year
Fall		Credits
AS 121	Private Pilot Operations	5
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	15.0
Spring
AS 125	Private and UAS Pilot Operations	3
AT 202	Introduction to Air Traffic Management	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 305	Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations	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 315	Introduction to Air Traffic Control Tower	3
	Communications 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 207	Introduction to Aviation Research Methods	3
AS 310	Aircraft Performance	3
AS 350	Domestic and International Navigation	3
AT 401	Advanced Terminal Radar Operations	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
	Accounting, Business Administration, or Economics Upper-Level Elective	3
AT 405	Advanced En Route 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
AT 415	Advanced Air Traffic Control Tower	3
AS 359	Aviation Stress Management	3
AS 410	Airline Dispatch Operations	3
	Minor/Open Electives	6
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
AS 405	Aviation Law	3
AS 480	Applied Aviation Research Methods	3
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
	Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
	Credits Total:	122.0

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.

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