A CTI (Collegiate Training Initiative) program is a degree program at a 2 or 4 year college or university that agrees to teach a course titled Air Traffic Control Basics in its curriculum. This is accomplished by adding the lesson objectives to various academic courses taught at that institution. Students must also complete general education requirements such as English, math, science, etc.

The CTO (Control Tower Operator) certificate program focuses on the technical skills training. Advanced ATC teaches the Air Traffic Control Basics objectives the FAA requires of CTI programs as well, but we accomplish this in the first 4 weeks of training rather than spending 2 to 4 years on it.
Additionally, after you have successfully completed the CTO certificate program, you are a fully certified Air Traffic Controller with a CTO certificate issued by an FAA Examiner.