Cheapest - Fastest route to complete CTI school

brob742 Newcomer

I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on the best route to take for someone in my situation.

I am 24 years old. I currently work in Atlanta, GA and already have a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication. I am open to moving anywhere and would like to start the program in January or February depending on the school. With that said, I would be quitting my job and putting 100% focus on completing the program and trying to get on with the FAA thereafter.
I do not have any aviation background.

Any ideas of schools that would be appropriate for someone in my shoes? I am going to have to take out a loan, so I'm trying to get through it with minimal expenses for the best quality.

Thanks for the help and suggestions ahead of time.

Rob

jalvis81 Senior Member

Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. its right up I-85 bout 3 hours away from ATL. pretty cheap, the ATC program coordinator is awesome. I did it and loved it.

rogersjf Trusted Contributor New Jersey

I was in your situation also last year i started at Vaughn Jan '09 i will be finished this Dec '09. they offer most classes on line and also have dorm rooms. It is in NYC so location wise may be out of the area for you. However i really have not heard about any other fast track programs where you can get it done in a year. The sooner the better because overnight this whole CTI thing will collapse when the FAA has the numbers they need. (Not soon but everyone who enrolled this fall in a 4 year degree is pushing it in my opinion)

MTCTIGUY Trusted Member The 'Boro

If you're from Georgia, you'll get in-state tuition at MTSU. Basically with this program, you add CTI on to your concentration. (dispatch or admin usually) Here's a link for the information on the in state tuition stuff. Academic Common Market/Regional Contract Program Another option would be Middle Georgia in Cochran, but since you already have a bachelors, MTSU would probably be your best bet. Also if you choose dispatch, you might be able to find a job dispatching for a regional while you're waiting for the FAA. At either Middle Tennessee or Middle Georgia it would take you two years and be much cheaper than Vaughn. Another option I would like to mention is doing the masters degree program in Aerospace Education or Aerospace Administration at MTSU. You can also add CTI to that and get a masters degree in two years with in-state tuition. http://search.sreb.org/acm/ProgramDe...d=750&state=GA You would have to get into the Aerospace Education program soon though because I think it's getting phased out. Good luck!

brob742 Newcomer

Thanks guys, all great options thus far.

Another question...
If I go into a community college CTI program already having a bachelor's degree, wouldn't that mean that all I would need to complete are the aviation classes? I'm assuming that out of my 60 or so gen ed credit hours I have already completed would cover all the gen ed reqs. at the CC. If this is the case, wouldn't that pretty much leave 30-40 aviation/CTI credit hours to complete the program?

I am really trying to knock this out in a year to get the ball rolling.

MTCTIGUY Trusted Member The 'Boro

Kind of, except at most colleges, classes have to be completed in a sequence or have a prerequisite class before you can take them. Basically the quickest you can get done would be in 3 semesters at Vaughn and have to go to New York for a semester, (most expensive option) or a year and a half at a community college that has the CTI program. You could do that with the two year program at Middle Georgia http://www.mgc.edu/aviation/PDF/AASDegreeATC.pdf Keep in mind, if you choose somewhere besides Middle Georgia and you go out of state (except MTSU) you will have to pay out of state tuition, which is often double the normal rate. For a semester more, you'll could get a bachelors or masters degree instead. If you're also looking for a quality degree, I'd go for the bachelors or masters. Also keep in mind that if you want to start in January at any of these schools you need to apply NOW!

rogersjf Trusted Contributor New Jersey

Yes, they would but like MT guy says and i am sure as you know some courses require other courses before you take them. If you truly want to get done in one year Vaughn is the only option with the fast track program (I may be wrong someone correct me if another school has fast track prog.)

The down side is the cost due to the fact i used all my aid in my other school it is all out of pocket. I am sure you are in the same boat but overall for Spring, Summer and Fall the total cost for Vaughn is

$24,655.00

However in the long run that is chump change to what you will be making and it is worth the cost. No matter where you go and what the price it is in your best interest to get done ASAP.

MTCTIGUY Trusted Member The 'Boro

You must be from Atlanta Jalvis to know about I-85. It's actually I-75 then I-24.

arg3b Senior Member Murfreesboro, TN

Nah, jalvis is from Alabama...

Anyway, MTSU may not be 2 years, unless brob decides to get a Masters.

If he went undergraduate he would have to get an aerospace degree to do CTI, so it all depends on what classes transfer from your previous degree.

arg3b Senior Member Murfreesboro, TN

You had to love it at MTSU to retire from professional baseball after being drafted by the Mariners!