Questions on CTI

Spectrums Newcomer

I'll be a HS senior next year and I'm really looking into ATC for a career. Is it worth getting the 2yr associates and jump right into the business or take my time and get the 4yr bachelor in something aviation related that I can fall back on as well as get the CTI credit?

JosueZQ8 Trusted Member Akron, OH

You can do alot with a 2 yr degree besides ATC, so it wouldn't be 2 years wasted if you don't get into ATC, or get in and decide it's not for you.

Why pay for 4, when you can do it in 2?

Battani22 Trusted Contributor Minnesota

Go for the 2yr program. Your job as a controller won't be any different just b/c you get a 4yr degree. FAA has the same standard for all controllers whether it's Vet., former, CTI, OTS. So why pay for a 4yr degree when you can get the exact same job for 75% less money?

JosueZQ8 Trusted Member Akron, OH

His reasoning was that if ATC doesn't work out, he'd at least have a bachelor's degree to fall back on.

But as I said, getting a 2 year CTI degree can still provide employment opprotunities outside of ATC....FSS, other FAA jobs, NTSB, etc.

Battani22 Trusted Contributor Minnesota

if you ended up wanting to get a 4yr degree, your school credits will more then likely transfer (if its aviation related) or just the general credits that they earn if they want to forget ATC. So it really doesn't hurt if you get a 2yr degree, unless you don't have the money.

But, I understand what you are saying about other jobs such as FSS or NTSB

Muneco Epic Member

Go for the 2 year, get CTI apply for the job, return to school for a 4 year if you don't get the job. What would happen if you scored poorly on the ATSAT or fail. Im not saying you will, but what if??? I rather have wasted 2 years than 4 finding out that Im not going to get the job. It seems like you really want to work as a controller, so what else would you have in mind having a 4 year degree?

2 years plus studying for ATSAT = Your Career!

MTCTIGUY Trusted Member The 'Boro

If all you're interested in is ATC and ATC only, get the two year. If you want a little bit broader knowledge of aviation, get a four year degree. The main benefit of the four year degree is that you are able to go to grad school and get a masters degree in something. Every bit of education helps, because you never know where you'll be 20 years from now.

UNDATCer Trusted Member North Dakota

I'm not going to tell you what to do, I'm only going to say that I went to a 4 year school and got my Bachelors of Science degree and I enjoyed every second of it. I wouldn't have traded that experience for anything. And if for some reason ATC doesn't work out for me, I know I have a bachelors degree to fall back on that a 2 year degree just could not provide me.

I will also say this... College is much more than just academics, it's about going out on your own and discovering who you are and what you want in life (at least that's what it was for me). So if your looking to hop right into the business, then maybe a 2 year degree would be best. But if you're looking to get a degree that will put you way ahead other people when it comes to other jobs, or even management positions in ATC, then I would encourage you to at least look into a 4 year college and a bachelor's degree.

Whichever way you decide to go... I would look at all the colleges and try and find a CTI school that has a tower or radar simulators or both, I think the real life experience you get from the simulators will really help you in your career.

So that's my 2 cents on the matter... I really wish you the best in your future!

Spectrums Newcomer

To all: thanks for your responses. It seems that you all think that the 2yr is a better way to go and then if ATC doesn't work out, get the 4yr program done.

Thanks!

ATCtower Epic Member

Having gone through both the two year CTI, and 4 year Aviation stuff, I would also recommend the two year. Any degree is better than no degree and I believe all CTI schools give you at the very least an Associates degree. Try the two, if ATC isn't your thing, you will only have about 2.5 years to go on the 4 year.

My $.02