Air Traffic Control
A (Flight) Path to Success
The Undergraduate Certificate in Air Traffic Control at Shenandoah University prepares students for one of the most critical and in-demand careers in the federal workforce. Offered through the School of Business, this certificate provides the academic foundation and simulation-based training required to pursue a career as an FAA Tower Air Traffic Controller.
Students develop proficiency in tower control operations, aviation regulations, airspace management, and FAA procedures through a hybrid curriculum combining classroom instruction with hands-on simulation experience. Graduates of the program are eligible for direct entry into the FAA hiring process, giving them a competitive advantage over non-Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative applicants.
The FAA projects significant controller hiring needs over the next decade as a large portion of the current workforce approaches retirement. Graduates enter the workforce with a credential recognized by the FAA and a direct pathway into one of the most stable and well-compensated careers in public service.
This program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Our air traffic control certificate is designed for anyone with a passion for aviation and an interest in a dynamic career. Whether you’re an incoming first-year or making a career pivot into aviation, this program meets you where you are and builds your skills step by step.
You’ll start with the big picture — how the National Airspace System works and where controllers fit into it — and progress through FAA regulations, tower procedures, and real-world decision-making. By the end of the program, you’ll be working in a high-fidelity, 3D-simulated air traffic control tower, practicing the same skills and standards used by working air traffic controllers across the country.
If you’ve got focus, communication skills, and a love of aviation, this could be the program for you.
The most direct path for graduates is joining the FAA as an air traffic control specialist. FAA controllers work from more than 400 locations across the country, including airport towers and radar facilities, managing roughly 50,000 flights a day. It’s a high-stakes job — and the pay reflects that. Air traffic controllers earn an average of $144,580 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced controllers at major facilities can earn significantly more when factoring in overtime and shift differentials.
The benefits go beyond the paycheck, too. Air traffic controllers can retire at age 50 with at least 20 years of service, or at any age with 25 years, and forced retirement at age 56 — earlier than most federal employees — and receive a generous retirement annuity. Many controllers retire early enough to pursue a second career.
The air traffic control profession is projected to grow steadily, with approximately 2,200 new openings expected each year as experienced controllers retire. Shenandoah’s Enhanced AT-CTI designation and FAA recommendation letter put you in a strong position to compete for those openings from day one.
Sources
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATC 101 | Introduction Into Air Traffic Control | 3 |
| ATC 201 | Introduction into Tower Operations | 3 |
| ATC 202 | Advanced Tower Operations | 3 |
| ATC 301 | ATC Tower Simulation | 3 |
| ATC 401 | ATC Tower Simulation Enhanced Follow On | 3 |
