Air Traffic Control
Overview
Degrees and Certificates Offered
- A.S. in Air Traffic Control
- A.S. in Enhanced Air Traffic Control
- Enhanced Air Traffic Control Certificate
- Dean Paul Estabrook
-
Department Chair
Sean Tener
- Phone (916) 558-2492
- Email TenerS@scc.losrios.edu
Associate Degrees
A.S. in Air Traffic Control
Sacramento City College maintains an Air Traffic Control program in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Collegiate Training Institute program. Our Associate of Science degree program is designed to provide students with a professional level of aviation knowledge and to allow students to compete for selection to attend the FAA Academy in a preferential selection pool.
The program is structured as an intensively-scheduled cohort learning program. Students will be taking a total of 12-17 units in a series of 4-8 week classes during each semester. Individual classes may require knowledge gained in prior classes, therefore scheduling individual classes outside of the cohort or taking courses out of sequence is not permitted.
The program covers all the FAA learning objectives of the FAA Academy's AT Basics course in a 2-semester series (12-17 units per semester) of cohort classes. Students must complete the degree to receive hiring consideration in the preferential pool.
Current FAA hiring requirements for Air Traffic Controllers include a maximum age of 30 years at the time of application and U.S. citizenship. Students must complete the degree to receive hiring consideration in the preferential pool.
This program meets the needs of students who want to pursue further training opportunities for work in an FAA facility, work in a contract ATC facility, or work in an ATC facility for the military. It is also suitable for students seeking an expanded knowledge of aviation flight operations and traffic flow management.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2026
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Eligibility Course: | ||
| FLTEC 320 | Private Pilot Ground School | 4 |
| First Semester (Fall): | ||
| FLTEC 302 | Aviation Weather | 3 |
| FLTEC 304 | Human Factors and Risk Management in Aviation | 3 |
| FLTEC 306 | Federal Aviation Regulations | 3 |
| FLTEC 330 | Airplane Aerodynamics | 3 |
| Second Semester (Spring): | ||
| FLTEC 310 | Instrument Pilot/Instructor Ground School | 4 |
| FLTEC 312 | Air Navigation, Airspace, and Communication | 3 |
| FLTEC 314 | Large Aircraft Systems | 5 |
| FLTEC 321 | Commercial Pilot Ground School | 3 |
| Third Semester (Fall): | ||
| ATC 300 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 1 | 3 |
| ATC 301 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 2 | 3 |
| ATC 302 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 3 | 3 |
| ATC 303 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 4 | 3 |
| Total Units: | 43 | |
The Air Traffic Control Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.
Enrollment Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:
- The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants read, write, speak, and understand the English language. FAA guidance on language proficiency can be found in the current version of Advisory Circular AC60-28 and the Level 4 proficiency standards of ICAO Doc 9835.
- One of the following:
- a) Successful completion of FLTEC 320, Private Pilot Ground, OR
- b) Hold an FAA or ICAO-compliant Private Pilot certificate with a current biennial flight review (BFR), OR
- c) Have significant documented recent (within the last 5 years) military or civilian commercial aviation operations experience.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- interpret Federal Aviation Regulations that pertain to Air Traffic Control procedures.
- utilize correct air-to-ground and ground-to-air communication terminology and phraseology.
- interpret, prepare and disseminate terminal and enroute weather reports.
- apply Air Traffic Control procedures in simulated radar approach control, terminal, and enroute environments.
Career Information
Employment opportunities exist within the Federal Aviation Administration's National Air Traffic Control system for Air Traffic Controllers and Remote Pilot Operators (RPO's), with numerous contract facilities throughout the country, and with the military worldwide.
A.S. in Enhanced Air Traffic Control
Sacramento City College maintains an Air Traffic Control program in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Collegiate Training Institute program. Our program is designed to provide students with a professional level of aviation knowledge and to allow students to be evaluated for potential direct hiring as air traffic controllers by the FAA.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2026
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Eligibility Course: | ||
| ATC 200 | Introduction to Air Traffic Control | 1 |
| First Semester: | ||
| ATC 300 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 1 | 3 |
| ATC 301 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 2 | 3 |
| ATC 302 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 3 | 3 |
| ATC 303 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 4 | 3 |
| Second Semester: | ||
| ATC 310 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 1 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 320 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 1 (3) | |
| ATC 311 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 2 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 321 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 2 (3) | |
| ATC 312 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 3 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 322 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 3 (3) | |
| ATC 313 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 4 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 323 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 4 (3) | |
| Third Semester: | ||
| ATC 315 | Air Traffic Control Terminal Simulation Training (4) | 4 |
| or ATC 325 | Air Traffic Control En Route Simulation Training (4) | |
| Total Units: | 29 | |
The Enhanced Air Traffic Control Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.
Enrollment Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:
- The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants read, write, speak, and understand the English language. FAA guidance on language proficiency can be found in the current version of Advisory Circular AC60-28 and the Level 4 proficiency standards of ICAO Doc 9835.
- The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants must be under 31-years-old by tentative job offer after graduation. Employment in Federal contract facilities (Non-FAA) do not have this requirement.
- Applicants must have, at a minimum, of one year of general work experience, or one year of full-time college, or any combination of education and experience equaling at least one year of general experience.
- Applicants must be able to pass a Federal Security Clearance background check. AT-CTI (Tier 3) Contract Tower (Tier 2)
- Applicants must be able to pass a Class 3 Airman Medical Exam to enter program and a FAA endorsed medical exam, drug test, and psychological examination upon graduation.
- Applicants must receive a successful qualifying score on the FAA administered Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) test prior to completion of the program, in order to be considered for direct employment with the FAA.
Enrollment Process
Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:
- Student must enroll in the prerequisite class, ATC 200: Introduction to Air Traffic Control, and successfully meet all of the requirements listed in the course curriculum.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- interpret and apply Federal Aviation Regulations that pertain to Air Traffic Control procedures.
- utilize correct air-to-ground and ground-to-air communication terminology and phraseology.
- interpret, prepare, and disseminate terminal and/or en-route weather reports.
- correctly apply Air Traffic Control procedures in simulated terminal, or en-route air traffic control environments.
- properly use air traffic control computer data entry systems and voice communication equipment.
Career Information
Employment opportunities exist within the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) National Air Traffic Control system for Air Traffic Controllers. There are also over 250, non-federal air traffic control facilities throughout the country in need of controllers. Opportunity for employment as remote pilot operators, who provide high fidelity air traffic control training, and for military controllers is also available.
Certificate of Achievement
Enhanced Air Traffic Control Certificate
Sacramento City College maintains an Air Traffic Control program in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Collegiate Training Institute program. Our program is designed to provide students with a professional level of aviation knowledge and to allow students to be evaluated for potential direct hiring as air traffic controllers by the FAA.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2026
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ATC 200 | Introduction to Air Traffic Control | 1 |
| ATC 300 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 1 | 3 |
| ATC 301 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 2 | 3 |
| ATC 302 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 3 | 3 |
| ATC 303 | Basic Air Traffic Control Part 4 | 3 |
| ATC 310 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 1 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 320 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 1 (3) | |
| ATC 311 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 2 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 321 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 2 (3) | |
| ATC 312 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 3 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 322 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 3 (3) | |
| ATC 313 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 4 (3) | 3 |
| or ATC 323 | Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 4 (3) | |
| ATC 315 | Air Traffic Control Terminal Simulation Training (4) | 4 |
| or ATC 325 | Air Traffic Control En Route Simulation Training (4) | |
| Total Units: | 29 |
Enrollment Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:
- The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants read, write, speak, and understand the English language. FAA guidance on language proficiency can be found in the current version of Advisory Circular AC60-28 and the Level 4 proficiency standards of ICAO Doc 9835.
- The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants must be under 31-years-old by tentative job offer after graduation. Employment in Federal contract facilities (Non-FAA) do not have this requirement.
- Applicants must have, at a minimum, of one year of general work experience, or one year of full-time college, or any combination of education and experience equaling at least one year of general experience.
- Applicants must be able to pass a Federal Security Clearance background check. AT-CTI (Tier 3) Contract Tower (Tier 2)
- Applicants must be able to pass a Class 3 Airman Medical Exam to enter program and a FAA endorsed medical exam, drug test, and psychological examination upon graduation.
- Applicants must receive a successful qualifying score on the FAA administered Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) test prior to completion of the program, in order to be considered for direct employment with the FAA.
Enrollment Process
Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:
- Student must enroll in the prerequisite class, ATC 200: Introduction to Air Traffic Control, and successfully meet all of the requirements listed in the course curriculum.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- interpret and apply Federal Aviation Regulations that pertain to Air Traffic Control procedures.
- utilize correct air-to-ground and ground-to-air communication terminology and phraseology.
- interpret, prepare, and disseminate terminal and/or en-route weather reports.
- correctly apply Air Traffic Control procedures in simulated terminal, or en-route air traffic control environments.
- properly use air traffic control computer data entry systems and voice communication equipment.
Career Information
Employment opportunities exist within the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) National Air Traffic Control system for Air Traffic Controllers. There are also over 250, non-federal air traffic control facilities throughout the country in need of controllers. Opportunity for employment as remote pilot operators, who provide high fidelity air traffic control training, and for military controllers is also available.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) Courses
ATC 200 Introduction to Air Traffic Control
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This introductory course is designed for students considering a career in air traffic control. The class is a prerequisite for acceptance into ATC 300-Basic Air Traffic Control 1. The course will give an overview of air traffic control as a career, and will provide guidance for prospective students regarding the requirements for being hired as a controller.
To be hired as a controller, the requirements listed below must be met.
(1) Must be a US citizen and speak English clearly.
(2) Must be under 31-years-old by the tentative job offer after graduation.
(3) Have one year of full-time work experience (full-time defined as a 40 hour work week), or a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, or any combination of education and experience equaling one year of full-time work experience.
(4) Pass the Security Clearance AT-CTI (Tier 3) and Contract Tower (Tier 2).
(5) Pass the Class 2 Airman's Medical Exam recommended to enter program and a FAA endorsed medical and psychological examination upon graduation.
(6) Successful qualifying score on the FAA administered Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) test prior to completion of the program.
ATC 295 Independent Studies in Air Traffic Control
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course allows students to have a learning experience in air traffic control that is not currently covered by other course curriculum. This is an independent studies course. The topics are to be arranged between the instructor and the student.
ATC 299 Experimental Offering in Air Traffic Control
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
ATC 300 Basic Air Traffic Control Part 1
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 200 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of air traffic control operations. Areas such as airports, airport markings, airport operations, airport lighting, roles of various FAA organizations, FAA history, air traffic management systems, the National Airspace System (NAS), types of separation used by air traffic control, NOTAMS(Notices To Air Missions), radar systems, FAA orders, FAA publications, aircraft manuals, LOAs(letters of agreement), and SOPs(standard operating procedures) will be taught and tested. This course is equivalent to ATCAD 300.
ATC 301 Basic Air Traffic Control Part 2
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of air traffic control operations. Areas such as the basic principles of flight, basic flight instruments, simple flight controls, and beginning aerodynamics, wake turbulence requirements and procedures, aircraft types, designators, and characteristics, recognition of aircraft identifiers and classifications, special use airspace and airspace classes, and Federal Air Regulations from FAA Title 14 and FAA Title 14 Part 91 will be taught and tested. This course is equivalent to ATCAD 301.
ATC 302 Basic Air Traffic Control Part 3
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 301 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of air traffic control operations. Areas such as basic navigation, radio and satellite navigation, pilot's environment, (Visual Flight Rules) VFR and (Instrument Flight Rules) IFR charts, (Standard Instrument Departures) SIDS and (Standard Terminal Arrivals) STARS, approaches, emergencies, and search and rescue, will be taught and tested. This course is equivlanent to ATCAD 302.
ATC 303 Basic Air Traffic Control Part 4
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 302 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of air traffic control operations. Areas such as basic aviation weather, hazardous weather, current weather (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports, (METARs)), forecasts and advisories, PIREPs, basic communications, Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearances, and ATC strip marking will be taught and tested. This course is equivalent to ATCAD 303.
ATC 310 Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 1
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 300, 301, 302, and 303 with grades of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of Terminal Air Traffic Control operations. Areas such as tower cab training, aircraft characteristics and recognition, human factors in ATC, fatigue awareness, disseminating weather, intro to ASOS, terminal controller and tower controller equipment, Academy Airport layout, Academy Airport airspace, instrument procedures, and airport conditions, airport usage, and airport lighting will be taught and tested.
ATC 311 Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 2
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 310 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of Terminal Air Traffic Control operations. Areas such as strip marking, airport conditions, airport lighting, Academy Airport, Academy airspace, Flight Data Input/Output(FDIO), Automated Terminal Information Service(ATIS), flight data, and clearance delivery will be taught and tested.
ATC 312 Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 3
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 311 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of Terminal Air Traffic Control operations. Areas such as general control procedures, position relief briefings, ground control duties, taxi and ground movement rules, wind shear, and local control duties will be taught and tested.
ATC 313 Enhanced Air Traffic Control Terminal 4
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 312 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of Terminal Air Traffic Control operations. Areas such as VFR arrivals, VFR departures, IFR arrivals, IFR departures, wake turbulence, visual operations, runway incursions, fatigue, and human factors in aviation will be taught and tested.
ATC 315 Air Traffic Control Terminal Simulation Training
- Units:4
- Hours:72 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 313 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course will provide instruction and training on air traffic control simulations leading to the final testing of the students by certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examiners. Successful evaluations may lead to direct employment as an air traffic controller with the FAA.
ATC 320 Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 1
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 300, 301, 302, and 303 with grades of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of En Route Air Traffic Control operations. Areas such as Aero Center airspace, radio and interphone usage, holding procedures, vertical, lateral, and longitudinal separation, board management, radar procedures, military operations, computer equipment and messaging, and En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) procedures will be taught and tested.
ATC 321 Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 2
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 320 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of En Route Air Traffic Control operations. Areas such as holding aircraft, altimeter settings, arrival and approach procedures, map testing, vertical, lateral, and longitudinal separation, initial departure separation, visual separation, and fatigue awareness will be taught and tested.
ATC 322 Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 3
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 321 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This class will familiarize the student with non-radar air traffic control. Simulated non-radar scenarios will be taught and tested.
ATC 323 Enhanced Air Traffic Control En Route 4
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 322 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides lecture on the fundamental concepts of En Route Air Traffic Control operations. All aspects of radar air traffic control such as radar identification, radar handoffs, radar point outs, radar separation and safety alerts, radar vectoring, military operations, position relief briefings, computer equipment and message entry, voice switching and control systems, and radar scanning and awareness will be taught and tested.
ATC 325 Air Traffic Control En Route Simulation Training
- Units:4
- Hours:72 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ATC 323 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course will provide instruction and training on air traffic control simulations leading to the final testing of the students by certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examiners. Successful evaluations may lead to direct employment as an air traffic controller with the FAA.
ATC 499 Experimental Offering in Air Traffic Control
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
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