Bachelor of Science in
Air Traffic Management
Embry-Riddle is an FAA-designated Collegiate Training Initiative School, and this program prepares students for entry-level positions and additional FAA training.
During the next decade, 85 percent of the U.S. air traffic controllers who are currently working will be eligible for retirement. This correlates to approximately 14,000 open positions for new controllers to join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management program at Embry-Riddle prepares graduates to fill those seats in a thrilling career in air traffic control. One of just a small number of colleges and universities granted FAA designation as a Collegiate Training Initiative school (and among the original cohort of 13), 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 Management program provides you with the knowledge and foundation designated for entry into the FAA Academy, where you’ll be integrated with others for additional air traffic control training. Because of the high quality of their education and experience, Embry-Riddle graduates always lead their classes at the FAA Academy.
The program at Embry-Riddle delivers fundamental traffic controller knowledge and competency through a mix of realistic lab simulations, classroom instruction, and computer-based learning.
Since Embry-Riddle has a formal partnership agreement with the FAA, be assured the curriculum and standards meet FAA demands and always exceed its expectations.
Upon graduation, graduates emerge prepared for an entry-level air traffic controller position with the FAA or other entities. 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 $130,420.Students pursue a variety of co-ops and internships with airline, aviation and air transportation companies focused on safety, training, operations, dispatch and transportation.
DETAILS
About Air Traffic Management at the Prescott, AZ Campus
The Air Traffic Management program at ERAU’s Prescott Campus is a degree designed for students whose goal is to become an air traffic controller or gain employment in a related industry. In addition to Air Traffic Management courses, the curriculum provides skills in mathematics, physics, communications, safety, meteorology, and aeronautics. The academic courses are designed to provide exposure to procedures and operations consistent with those found in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control facilities.
The Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management degree is housed in the Department of Aeronautical Science in the College of Aviation.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, normally completed in eight semesters. View the degree requirements for the Prescott Campus.
Prescott ATM students attend classes in dynamic, aviation-related labs and facilities, and are a part of one of the few programs in the country that incorporates 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.
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.
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 (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 |
| COM 219 | Speech # | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing # | 3 |
| or COM 222 | Business Communication | |
| General Education - Humanities Lower-Level Elective # | 6 | |
| General Education - Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective # | 3 | |
| General Education - Natural Science Elective # | 3 | |
| General Education - Social Science Lower-Level Elective # | 3 | |
| GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| IT 109 | Introduction to Computers and Applications # | 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 | 15 | |
| 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 |
| IT 109 | Introduction to Computers and Applications | 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 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 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 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
or COM 222
|
Business Communication | |
| 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 | |
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Summary
120 Credits
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