The fifth largest aviation and aerospace science program in the country and the only one in Colorado to offer a four-year degree, Metro State is more poised than ever to meet current and future industry demands thanks to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create an air traffic controller program.

The College was one of eight to receive the Air Traffic Controller Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) designation for its Aviation and Aerospace Science Department. A total of 19 institutions had qualified nationally for possible selection and the FAA announced Metro State’s selection on Oct. 16.

“This AT-CTI designation underscores our role as an urban land grant college,” says Metro State President Stephen Jordan. “At Metro State, we empower our students to achieve success through a blend of theory and applied learning that is relevant, high quality and diverse.”

*The FAA offers preferential hiring to students who successfully complete the degree program and will allow those students to bypass initial qualification training at the FAA Academy.

“This designation will catapult our Metro State graduates into the field quickly,” adds Jeff Forrest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science.

The designation comes at a critical time as the FAA figures to face a huge shortage of air traffic controllers over the next decade due to the mandated retirement of those hired in the 1980s. More specifically, the agency estimates it will need to recruit and hire roughly 17,000 new controllers in the next 10 years.

Currently, Metro State’s Aviation and Aerospace Science Department has 500 students and offers just one air traffic control class.

For information about the program, visit www.mscd.edu/~aviation or call 303-556-2983.