Air Traffic Management Degree
Complete the FAA Academy curriculum at UND and jump straight into the workforce with a degree in Air Traffic Management.
The demanding and rewarding career of air traffic control requires a combination of broad-based aviation knowledge and specialized technical knowledge. We offer 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 earn an Air Traffic Management degree at UND?
UND's Air Traffic Controller Degree
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Advance your skill set with specialized advanced courses in radar, tower operations, aviation safety management, and more.
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Graduates are prepared for careers as ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft through the National Airspace System (NAS).
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Pursue a required second field of study in addition to the primary curriculum, typically fulfilled through a minor, aviation specialization, or second major.
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Train on our Adacel 360° MaxSim® ATC Tower/Radar System. The simulator consists of a 360° tower view with four synchronized radar positions.
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Learn to be an air traffic controller with our ATC Tower Radar Simulator System (TRSS). One room contains a virtual "tower cab" with a wrap-around visual system that simulates the view from the control tower. The second room houses simulated radar terminals.
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Study in our UFA ATC Radar Lab with new tower simulators, tabletop lab and flight plan software. It's the most modern and professional 32-position radar simulation lab in the country.
Why become an air traffic controller?
Air Traffic Controller Courses
Military Friendly® School
UND has held the Military Friendly® School designation for more than 15 consecutive years and earned the Gold distinction for 2025–2026. With more than 2,000 military-affiliated students currently enrolled, the highest number on record, approximately 1 in 7 UND students is a veteran, active-duty service member, military spouse, or dependent. As a military-affiliated student at UND, you'll have access to:
- Dedicated Support Services: You’ll have access to the Veteran & Military Services office, where you can get personalized help with VA benefits, advising, scholarships and counseling resources.
- Military Affiliated Peer Support (MAPS): At UND, you’ll find peer student support staff ready to guide you, offer encouragement and connect you with the resources you need to achieve your academic and personal goals.
- ROTC Programs: If you’re looking to grow as a leader, UND’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs provide you with hands-on leadership training and the opportunity to build lasting camaraderie.
- Priority Registration: Individuals using VA funding benefit from priority course registration, ensuring you can build a schedule that fits your other commitments.
- Spouse Support: UND is ranked as a Military Spouse Friendly School, reflecting our strong support for spouses through flexible degree programs, advising and a welcoming campus culture.
FAQs
Earning the degree is one part of becoming an FAA air traffic controller. You must also complete the FAA hiring process, including passing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) and meeting medical and security requirements.
FAA applicants must meet additional eligibility standards. Current requirements include U.S. citizenship, being at least 18 but under age 31, meeting applicable medical standards, demonstrating English proficiency, and completing required background and security screening. Enhanced AT-CTI graduates must also satisfy the performance requirements associated with that pathway before beginning work at an air traffic facility.
No. Completing the Air Traffic Management degree does not guarantee employment with the FAA. The FAA hiring process is competitive, and graduates must still meet its eligibility, testing, medical, and security requirements before they can be hired.
The degree is designed to prepare students for that process, and the Enhanced AT-CTI pathway can shorten the training route for qualified graduates. A large majority of our Air Traffic Management graduates have gone on to positions with the FAA or private contract air traffic services.
Qualified students in the Enhanced AT-CTI track can complete the FAA Academy Tower training curriculum on campus. To qualify for the direct-to-facility pathway, you must pass the ATSA, meet FAA medical and security requirements, complete the required performance verifications, and receive an Enhanced AT-CTI endorsement.
If hired by the FAA, you can then bypass the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and begin on-the-job training at an assigned air traffic facility. You’ll work with live air traffic under the supervision of experienced controllers and take on greater responsibility as you demonstrate proficiency. Facility training can take several years depending on the facility and its complexity, and you must complete the required training and evaluations before working independently.
No. New FAA air traffic controllers are assigned to facilities based on the agency’s staffing needs, so you should be prepared to relocate and work anywhere in the U.S.
The FAA is a major employer of Air Traffic Management graduates, but it is not the only option. Graduates also work for private contract air traffic services. Some have taken positions as Air Traffic Management Associates at UND, worked for BNSF, or moved into dispatch roles in airline and corporate flight operations.
Graduates have also gone on to careers with employers including Endeavor Air, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, and FedEx. The degree develops knowledge of tower, radar, and en-route operations that can support work across the broader aviation industry.
Day in the Life
Air Traffic Control Student
Check out what an Air Traffic Management student experiences throughout a day.