FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College is poised to become the first community college in Texas to offer an Associate of Applied Science in air traffic control, following authorization from the TCC Board of Trustees to begin curriculum development. The program addresses a deepening national crisis: a shortage of thousands of certified controllers needed to manage a system that handles 45,000 flights daily.
Dallas-Fort Worth, home to one of the nation’s leading aerospace and defense hubs, is among the areas most acutely affected and currently underserved. No air traffic control program exists within 50 miles, and no Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative program has ever been offered at a Texas community college.
“This is exactly the kind of high-demand program that defines what TCC is built to do,” said TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc. “We are located in the aviation capital of Texas, surrounded by some of the most significant aviation employers in the world. Launching this program means our students can train here, get hired here, and build careers that support the safety of air travel for millions of people. That is a responsibility we do not take lightly.”
Pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the AAS in air traffic control could launch as early as spring 2027. Through an Enhanced AT-CTI Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Aviation Administration, students would receive FAA Academy-equivalent training and maybe could bypass the FAA’s initial Air Traffic Basics course, accelerating their entry into the hiring pipeline.
The labor market case is compelling. In Texas, air traffic control employment is projected to grow 5.11 percent over the next decade. In the DFW region alone, 1,796 job postings were noted in the past year, average salary $123,715. That’s 17 percent above the national average.
“Tarrant County College is stepping forward to lead in preparing the next generation of air traffic control professionals,” said TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker. “This program reflects a deliberate investment in the safety and efficiency of our national airspace — equipping students with the precision, judgment and training required for one of aviation’s most critical roles.”
TCC’s Aviation Advisory Committee, with representatives from American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Bombardier and Gulfstream, and other industry partners have expressed strong support throughout the program’s development.
“This program represents a commitment to the safety, efficiency and economic vitality of our region and our nation,” said Board of Trustees President Jeannie Deakyne. “TCC has always risen to meet the workforce development needs of our community. We’re proud to lead the way.”
TCC’s simulation-based, FAA-aligned instruction recognizes the cognitive demands and high-stakes decision-making required of working controllers. Curriculum is being developed in coordination with FAA standards and employer feedback.
Start-up investments include acquisition and installation of a simulator and facility renovations at the Northwest Center for Excellence in Aviation, Transportation and Logistics located next to the Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The Tarrant County College Foundation is developing a capital fundraising campaign to secure industry support for both.
The program is expected to appeal to students already enrolled in TCC’s Aviation and Transportation programs, as well as aviation professionals considering a career in air traffic control. With an average wage significantly above the national median and a clear federal hiring pathway, the AAS in air traffic control would be one of the highest-return credentials TCC has ever offered.
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.
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