MSU Denver Becomes First Colorado College in FAA Controller Training Program

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) to join its Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), making it the first higher education institution in Colorado to receive the designation. This partnership is a key component of the agency's strategy to expand the aviation career pipeline and address a national shortage of air traffic controllers.

MSU Denver becomes one of 36 higher education institutions nationwide participating in the program, which is designed to provide a pool of qualified applicants for air traffic controller positions. Graduates from AT-CTI programs are eligible to bypass the initial five-week Air Traffic Basics Course at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, potentially accelerating their path to facility-based training. The collaboration underscores the FAA's increased focus on collegiate aviation initiatives to build a robust workforce for the future.

Addressing the Controller Shortage

The initiative comes as the FAA contends with a chronic shortage of approximately 3,000 certified professional controllers across the National Airspace System. To counter this, the agency has intensified its recruitment and training efforts. According to an FAA press release, the agency exceeded its fiscal year 2024 hiring goal of 1,800 controllers, bringing on a final total of 1,811 new trainees. The controller workforce stood at 14,264 in fiscal year 2024, with around 3,400 controllers in various stages of training.

The FAA's hiring targets continue to be ambitious, with a goal to hire 2,000 new controllers in fiscal year 2025 and 2,200 in fiscal year 2026. Partnerships like the one with MSU Denver are critical to meeting these numbers by creating more accessible entry points into the profession.

“The FAA is working to hire and train more air traffic controllers, in order to reverse the decades-long decline in our workforce and ensure the safety of the flying public,” said FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker. “The Enhanced AT-CTI program is an important part of that effort.”

The AT-CTI Program Structure

The Air Traffic — Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program establishes a direct link between the FAA and academic institutions. Participating schools must offer a non-engineering aviation degree with a concentration in air traffic control and meet rigorous curriculum standards set by the FAA. Students who complete these approved programs receive an institutional recommendation that makes them eligible for consideration for FAA controller positions.

In addition to the standard AT-CTI track, the FAA has developed an “Enhanced AT-CTI” program, which has grown to include 10 schools as of January 2026. This more advanced initiative allows graduates from select schools to bypass the entire FAA Academy and report directly to an air traffic facility for on-the-job training. While MSU Denver is initially joining the standard AT-CTI program, its inclusion reflects the agency's broader strategy of leveraging university resources to streamline controller training.

The curriculum at MSU Denver's Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science will now align with FAA standards to ensure graduates possess the foundational knowledge required for a career in air traffic control. This includes coursework on airspace regulations, controller procedures, and simulator-based training.

Why This Matters

This partnership represents a strategic move by the FAA to decentralize and diversify its training pipeline. By establishing a formal training program in Colorado, the agency can tap into a new regional talent pool and reduce its sole reliance on the FAA Academy. For students, it provides a structured, in-state pathway to a critical and high-demand federal career. Ultimately, strengthening the controller workforce is essential for maintaining the safety and efficiency of the U.S. aviation system, and collegiate partnerships are proving to be an indispensable tool in achieving that long-term goal.

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