air traffic management students in comm lab

Air Traffic ManagementB.S. Aero

Gain the technical skills and broad aviation knowledge to thrive in an exciting career in air traffic control.

The demanding and rewarding career of air traffic control requires a combination of broad-based aviation knowledge and specialized technical knowledge. The Department of Aviation at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences offer students interested in this field a comprehensive curriculum to prepare you to be part of the next generation of air traffic controllers.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why study air traffic management?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 17
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

Earn a B.S. in Aeronautics with a Major in Air Traffic Management from the UND Aviation Department, known around the world for academic excellence. Benefit from the most technologically advanced simulators and the world's largest collegiate training fleet. It's the kind of state-of-the-art facilities and avionics that offers a training experience second to none.

This program from UND will fully prepare you for your successful career in air traffic management. Gain the essential aviation fundamental knowledge you need, along with exposure to related fields, such as meteorology. Advance your skills set further with specialized advanced courses in radar, tower operations, safety management and more.

Air Traffic Management at UND

  • Train with state of the art virtual tower and radar simulators, plus study in a second field.

  • The Air Traffic Management curriculum prepares students for careers as ground-based controllers who direct aircraft through the NationalAirspace System (NAS). 

  • This program is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). Student Achievement Data.

  • In addition to the primary curriculum, this program requires a second field of study, which normally means a formal minor, aviation specialization or a second major.

  • Upon graduation from UND, graduates of this program will request a letter of recommendation from the Department of Aviation. This letter will be used in applying for an Air Traffic Control Specialist position with the FAA, as a CTI (Collegiate Training Initiative) graduate. CTI graduates can apply in POOL 1 and are exempt from taking the biographical assessment (BQ) during the FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist hiring announcement. 

Air Traffic Management Careers 

122K

Median salary for air traffic control specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

24K+

Number of available positions in air traffic control

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

During the next decade, a significant number of air traffic controllers will be forced to retire, due to the FAA mandatory retirement age of 56. With the possibility of shortages in qualified air traffic controllers, there is sure to be steady or even growing opportunities for UND graduates of this program.

With this degree, you can expect exciting opportunities in several environments related to air traffic control, including:

  • Control tower operations
  • Approach control facility operation
  • En-route center operations
  • Air operations supervisory or management positions

When You Major in Air Traffic Management

An Air Traffic Management degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Traffic Control
  • Aviation
  • Strategic Planning
  • Operations Management

UND Air Traffic Management Major Alumni

Air Traffic Management alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Endeavor Air, Inc.
  • Leidos Holdings, Inc.
  • Lockheed Martin Corporation
  • FedEx Corporation

Required Air Traffic Management Courses

AVIT 362. Advanced Tower Operations II. 4 Credits.

Students will build on the knowledge gained in AVIT 260 Control Tower Operations I. Utilizing the 3D tower simulator, the students are taught the basic, advanced, and fundamental Control Tower operations, including structure, procedures, theories of airspace/traffic management. This course follows the applicable required Federal Aviation Administration's learning objectives set forth in their Air Traffic Basics Course. To complete this course, students will be required to demonstrate their basic knowledge of Control Tower operations through written examinations and performance scenarios in the 3D tower simulator. An Air Traffic lab. Prerequisites: AVIT 260 and a minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S.

AVIT 208. Aviation Safety. 3 Credits.

This course provides the student with a detailed introduction into aspects of aviation safety, aviation safety programs, risk management, and the associated components of pilot psychology, physiology, human factors, and accident review and investigation. Prerequisite: A minimum GPA of 2.6. Prerequisite or Corequisite: AVIT 102 or AVIT 105 or AVIT 142. F,S,SS.

AVIT 261. RADAR Operations I. 4 Credits.

This course provides students with basic RADAR training and knowledge of separation requirements and procedures of Air Traffic Terminal RADAR Operations. Student evaluations are based on demonstrated application of acquired controller skills utilizing Air Traffic simulation. Scenarios progress in difficulty. This course follows the applicable required Federal Aviation Administration's learning objectives set forth in their Air Traffic Basics Course. To complete this course, students must, in addition to normal academic requirements, successfully complete an intermediate RADAR simulation scenario without assistance. An Air Traffic lab is required. Prerequisites: AVIT 103 and a minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S,SS.

AVIT 250. Human Factors. 2 Credits.

This course introduces the student to issues influencing human performance in the complex operational aviation environments. Theory and practical applications of cognitive processing, decision-making, interpersonal interaction and communication will be presented. This course also provides an introduction to design elements intended to optimize man-machine interaction. Prerequisite: Minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S,SS.

AVIT 485. Aviation Senior Capstone. 3 Credits.

This course will explore contemporary and ethical issues in the aviation industry. Students will work in multi-disciplinary teams to examine and solve issues related to global aviation, environmental concerns, technology advances, aviation safety and security practices, labor issues and aviation economics. Students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of information literacy and advanced communications through coursework. Prerequisites: AVIT 403, senior status, and a minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S.

AVIT 403. Aerospace Law. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the United States legal system and the development of air law. The course will cover a broad range of topics related to aviation operations including constitutional law, administrative law, Federal Aviation Administration enforcement actions, aircraft ownership issues, products liability law, criminal law, contract law, and international law. Course activities include case reading, argument, and legal research. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior status, open to Aviation majors and minors only, and a minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S,SS.

Ready to Lead

Experience boundless opportunities, rigorous curriculum and hands-on training to become a leader in the industry.

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

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