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OU to Offer First Four-Year Degree Combined with Enhanced FAA Initiative

The University of Oklahoma and the Federal Aviation Administration are launching an Enhanced Air Traffic—Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program that allows qualified OU graduates to proceed directly to an air traffic control facility for on-the-job training, bypassing the FAA Academy. The AT-CTI program within OU’s School of Aviation is currently the only four-year Bachelor of Science degree program in the nation.

“This honor really reflects the quality of our students,” said Stephen West, director of OU’s Air Traffic Management program. “The FAA talked with our students a great deal during their site visit and were very interested in what they thought of the program. It’s also a reflection on the level of commitment from the School of Aviation, the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, and OU administration.”  

Before this program, students completing the aviation management – air traffic management concentration had certain advantages during the hiring process but still had to attend the FAA Academy. Through the Enhanced AT-CTI program, students will still complete the same background and security checks, medical clearances and skills assessments as their peers in the FAA Academy, but they will do so while completing their degree. Once they have completed their assessments and have qualified on all other hiring aspects, they can be directly placed upon graduation into an air traffic control facility for on-the-job training rather than attending the academy. 

The curriculum is built into the air traffic management Bachelor of Science degree. Additionally, students can take the four-year air traffic control minor in conjunction with an aviation major to complete the Enhanced AT-CTI requirements.