Program Overview
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public maritime college in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, that prepares students for careers at sea and throughout the maritime industry. Students combine college academics with hands-on training, leadership development, and membership in the Regiment of Cadets.
Unlike a federal service academy, attending Massachusetts Maritime Academy does not automatically create a military service obligation. The Regiment provides a structured campus experience centered on discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and professional leadership.
Education and Career Pathways
The two primary merchant-mariner license programs are Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering. Marine Transportation prepares cadets to sit for the U.S. Coast Guard examination for a Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage license, leading toward careers as deck officers aboard commercial ships and other vessels. Marine Engineering prepares cadets for the Third Assistant Engineer license for steam, motor, and gas-turbine vessels of unlimited horsepower.
Cadets in these programs receive training in navigation, vessel operations, engineering systems, safety, firefighting, survival craft, watchstanding, and other areas required for professional mariner credentials. Students must complete the applicable academic and STCW requirements and pass their U.S. Coast Guard licensing examinations.
Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering students also complete Sea Terms aboard the Academy’s training ship. These approximately six-week voyages provide practical experience in ship operations, maintenance, drills, laboratory exercises, and standing watch. Students in the two license programs generally participate in Sea Term during all four years.
Program Information
Program Format
Four-year public maritime college with academic, regimental, simulator, laboratory, and at-sea training
Credentials
Bachelor’s degree and eligibility for a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer license, depending on the program
Who It Serves
Students seeking careers as licensed deck officers, marine engineers, maritime professionals, or shoreside industry leaders