Minneapolis Community and Technical College logo

Admissions Requirements

MCTC Air Traffic Control Training Program Admissions Requirements

 

Fall 2008 the program is adding one additional “online” course to the current three “online” courses. This new “online” course will be ATCT2135 Aviation Law: Accident Investigation (3 credits). This course will also be a pre-requisite for starting the program in 2009. Students are admitted on “first come, first qualified” basis.

In 2009 the program is shifting from a fall semester start to a summer semester start. Students accepted for the in-residence (one-year) training will start in the summer vs. the fall semester. Completed Air Traffic Control Applications are submitted November 2008 thru May 2009 and date stamped. The first 64 qualified applicants will be admitted for the summer 2009 program. Additional applicants will be placed on deferred list to be admitted the following year.

Checklist

The following is a checklist that outlines the procedures required to complete your Air Traffic Control program admissions file.

Submit General Application to the College

General Education Requirements

English3 credits
Math3 credits
Goal Area 7, 8, 9, or 103 credits
Other general education coursework9 credits
 18 credits

Aviation Coursework

ATCT 20003 credits
ATCT 21003 credits
ATCT 21103 credits
ATCT 21353 credits
 12 credits

Take ATC Aptitude Test

Submit ATC Application

  1. Submit a general application to the College with a $20 application fee to the Admissions Office. Your Student ID number (needed for course registration) will be mailed to you in your admittance package when the application process is complete.
  2. Complete required program prerequisites. Students must have 18 credits of general education coursework for admission to the program. Whether completed at MCTC or transferred from another accredited institution, this coursework must be at the minimum "C" grade level in each class.

    Students with previous college coursework should have official transcripts sent to the MCTC Registrar’s Office. You will be notified after the evaluation of transfer credit has been completed. The transfer of credits and evaluation of transcripts may take up to several weeks during registration and peak times. Please request transcripts as soon as possible or early enough to ensure prompt evaluation.

    General education course (from the Minnesota General Education Transfer Curriculum) requirements include:
    • A minimum of 3 credits must be completed from MnTC Goal area 1 (ENGL 1110 is recommended)
    • A minimum of 3 credits from MnTC Goal area 4 (MATH 1110 recommended)
    • 3 or more credits from MnTC Goal 7,8, 9 or 10
    • PHIL 1110 is recommended as coursework to satisfy the goal area 7-10 requirement
  3. Aviation Coursework: Students must have 12 credits of required aviation coursework completed at MCTC or another accredited institution with a grade of "C" or better in each course.
    • Introduction to ATC (ATCT 2000)—3 credits
    • Introduction to Aviation Weather (ATCT 2100)—3 credits
    • Aviation Knowledge (ATCT 2110)—3 credits
    • Aviation Law: Accident Investigation (ATCT 2135)—3 credits
    Note: Once registered  access online courses go to Desire-to-learn (D2L) 
  4. Air Traffic Control Aptitude Test Once student have been admitted to the college, they may use a computer with an Internet connection to register to take the Air traffic Control Aptitude Test. Students must receive a score of 40 or higher on the MCTC Air Traffic Control Aptitude Test. To register for the Aptitude Test:
    1. AT www.minneapolis.edu web page: Click on“Register” (Top right corner of screen)
    2. Click on “e-services login” (Bottom right corner of screen)
    3. Enter your Student ID number and PIN. (see note below)
    4. Click on “Search for Open Sections” at left and scroll down to “ATCT Air Traffic Control Training”
    5. Register for ATCT 1000 ATC Aptitude Test. Student can register to test in person at MCTC’s testing Center at main campus or elect to test online from another college testing location that will require them to furnish the ATC program administrative office with the site location and proctor information. All tests must be proctored.
    6. Once registered, students will be notified via email to schedule the test.
  5. Note: Student I.D. will be mailed to student when the general application process is complete. Read “Login Instructions” to set PIN. Students do not need to take the Aptitude test to register for the online pre-requisite courses. One re-take of the test is allowed for those scoring below 40.
  6. After completing all the above requirements students may submit an Air Traffic Control program application for the Summer 2009 Semester to the Admissions Office from November 1, 2008 to May 15, 2009.

    After completing the ATC aptitude test, students may submit an Air Traffic Control Program Application to the Admissions office ($20 application fee not required if college application fee was paid earlier).

    Students are not selected for admission to the Program until all required eligibility steps are Complete. Students are then admitted on a “first come first qualified” basis upon submission of the ATC program application. Applications are date and time stamped for ranking.

    Once the upcoming class is filled, eligible students will be placed on a deferred list for confirmed admission the following year. Applications must be submitted to the student services office in T2200.

    Students will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance.
  7. FAA Requirements for All Students Graduates of the Air Traffic Control Program must be able to meet FAA requirements for employment. Although subject to change, the FAA currently requires a graduate to:
    • Be a United States citizen
    • Be employed by the FAA prior to their 31st birthday
    • Under the authority of public Law 92-297, a maximum age limit has been established for positions in the Terminal and Air Route Center specializations. Applicants who have reached their 31st birthday are ineligible for entry into positions in this specialization. It is recommended that individuals projected to be older than 29 years 0 months when they begin the ATC degree program consult with the program director about this time/age requirement.
    • Receive a satisfactory score on the FAA AT-SAT pre-employment examination
    • Obtain a College recommendation
    • Pass a Security background screening
    • Individuals must pass a rigid security/background investigation. The following are types of issues, which are reviewed as part of the background/security check:
      • General or dishonorable military discharge
      • Statutory debarment issue
      • Government loyalty issues
      • Evidence of dishonesty in an application or examination process (e.g., falsification of application)
      • Drug-related offenses
      • Felony offenses
      • Firearms or explosives offenses
      • Alcohol-related incidents
      • Willful disregard of financial obligations
      • Derogatory employment terminations
      • Patterns and/or combinations of incidents which lead to questions about your behavior and intent
    • Meet FAA ATCS medical standards—Medical Examination is a rigid medical exam, which includes:
      • Vision Standards - Applicants for ATCS employment in an en route center or a terminal must have distant and near vision of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, without correction, or have lenses that correct distant and near vision to 20/20, each eye separately. Applicants for a flight service station specialist position must have distant and near vision of 20/20 or better in at least one eye, without correction, or have lenses that correct distant and near vision to 20/20, in at least one eye.
      • Color Vision Standards - Applicants must have normal color vision.
      • Hearing Standards - Applicants must have no hearing loss in either ear of more than 25 db at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, and no more than a 20 db loss in the better ear by audiometer, using ANSI (1969) standards.
      • Cardiovascular Standards - Applicants must have no medical history of any form of heart disease. A history of high blood pressure requiring medication will require special review.
      • Neurological Standards - Applicants must have no medical history or clinical diagnosis of a convulsive disorder, or a disturbance of consciousness, without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause, and must not be under any treatment, including preventive, for any condition of the nervous system.
      • Psychiatric Standard - Any medical history or clinical diagnosis of a psychosis, or other severe mental disorders, is disqualifying.
      • Diabetes - A medical history or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus will require special review.
      • Substance Abuse/Dependency - A history of substance abuse/ dependency, including alcohol, narcotic, non-narcotic drugs, and other substances will be extensively investigated.
      • Psychological Exam - Individuals must take and pass a psychological exam.
      • General Medical - All other medical conditions will be evaluated on an individual basis. All applicants' medical histories and current examinations will be carefully reviewed. This includes past medical records and, if applicable, a review of military medical records.

Cost of the Program

Tuition and fees are established by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees and are subject to change. Business Services publishes tuition rates online.

Tours

Tours and information sessions for the ATC program is normally conducted every Friday at 1 p.m. You are requested to call in advance for the date you intend to visit with your name, phone number and the total number of persons visiting.

Contact for more information

Deb Huebner
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Air Traffic Control Training Program
10100 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
952-826-2400 or 1-800-475-2828