The Curriculum
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
provides you with a four-year academic program leading
to a bachelor of science degree, a license as a merchant
marine officer (issued by the U.S. Coast Guard), and an
appointment as a commissioned officer in a reserve
component of the U.S. Armed Forces (including the
Merchant Marine Reserve of the U.S. Navy). The
curriculum is demanding, comprehensive and stimulating.
It has been carefully designed to ensure that you
graduate professionally competent, trained for
leadership and responsibility, and well-rounded
intellectually.
As a midshipman, you will be required
to complete a series of required courses which comprise
the core curriculum. These courses provide a nucleus of
knowledge in key academic and professional subjects. In
the second trimester of the fourth class year, you begin
your major course of study, which will determine the
type of merchant marine license you receive. You will
also spend approximately one year at sea regardless of
which major you select.
The academic year at the Academy is
divided into three academic terms or trimesters which
span 13 weeks each, for an 11-month academic year
running from late July to late June. Credit for courses
is given in semester credit hours.
Core
Curriculum
This core curriculum has several components (specific
courses meeting these requirements are identified later
in the course description section):
- Mathematics
- Science
- English
- Leadership and Ethics
- Comparative Literature and History
- Naval Science
- Physical Education and Ship’s Medicine
- Internship
- Sea Year
Major Programs
Midshipmen select their major course of study from among
seven programs:
License Programs
In the last trimester of first class year, midshipmen take
a comprehensive written examination, administered by the
U.S. Coast Guard, for their licenses as merchant marine
officers. Those who have selected the Marine
Transportation major or the Logistics and Intermodal
Transportation major receive training in nautical
science to prepare for the third mate (deck officer)
license examination. Maritime Operations and Technology
majors receive training in nautical science and selected
marine engineering areas and take the third mate license
examination as well as the QMED (Qualified Member of the
Engine Department) engineering examination. Marine
Engineering, Marine Engineering Systems, and Marine
Engineering and Shipyard Management majors receive
marine engineering training to prepare for the third
assistant engineer (engineering officer) license
examination. Dual License majors receive both nautical
science and engineering instruction and take both the
third mate and third assistant engineer license
examinations.
Sea-Year Training
At the end of the fourth class year in late June, half of
the students will go to sea for one term, return for
residential courses for the second term of their third
class year, then return to sea for the third term plus
the first term of their second class year. They will
return to campus for the second trimester of the second
class year and remain on campus through graduation.
The other half of the class will remain in residence for
the first trimester of the third class year, will go to
sea for the second trimester and return to campus for
the third trimester. Then they will go to sea for the
second and third trimesters of their second class year,
return for the first trimester of their first class year
and remain on campus until graduation.
Elective Courses
Elective courses are a means by which midshipmen may
enhance their professional training and satisfy their
intellectual curiosity. The number of elective courses
varies by major. Dual License majors, because of their
demanding academic schedule, are not required to take
electives. However, all midshipmen are encouraged to
take additional elective courses when academically
possible. Some programs offer sufficient electives to
allow for a formal concentration of study, or minors.
Ethics and Leadership Program
(ELP)
On 28 January 2008, the Academy
Superintendent signed a directive establishing the
Ethics and Leadership Program (ELP). The ELP is
offered to qualified upperclassmen who desire to take on
additional scholarship and service in the fields of
ethics and leadership as part of their Academy
education. Graduates who complete the academic
and practicum requirements of the program have this
accomplishment noted on their transcripts, and they
receive a certificate upon graduation.
Graduation Requirements
The minimum requirements for graduation are:
- Pass the required resident and sea project
courses. (A four-year course of study is required by
46USC310.52.) A maximum of 5- 1/2 years in
attendance is permitted to complete degree
requirements.
- Earn the number of semester credit hours required
by the curriculum in which you are enrolled.
Exemptions from courses completed at other
accredited institutions or waived due to physical
disability may lower the number of credits required
for some students.
- Earn a Cumulative Quality Point Average (CQPA) of
at least 2.000 for all courses taken.
- Earn a Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least
2.000 for all courses specifically required in your
major.
- Pass all required license competencies.
- Pass the examination and receive a USCG third mate
or third assistant engineer license. Those not
eligible to receive the license, e.g., foreign
national, medical disqualification for a
duty-related injury, etc., must, nevertheless, pass
the examination. Midshipmen enrolled in the Maritime
Operations and Technology curriculum are also
required to pass all designated portions of the QMED
examination administered by the USCG.
- Satisfy all necessary certifications as required
by the USCG as specified for your program.
- Pass all required Naval Science courses prescribed
by the Department of the Navy.
- Apply for and accept, if offered, an appointment
as a commissioned officer in a Reserve Component of
the U.S. Armed Forces (including the Merchant Marine
Reserve of the U.S.Navy).
- Pass the Academy Physical Fitness Test.
The Program of Study
When applying to the Academy, you will be asked to list a
tentative major. In the second trimester, you will be
required to affirm your selection or choose another
major. An extensive orientation program and introductory
professional course-work in the first trimester will
assist you in making that decision. All major programs
are described in this section. The courses you take at
the Academy following fourth class year will vary
greatly depending on the major you select. The following
is a detailed description of the major curricula and the
course of study each entails. The exact sequence of the
course offerings in some cases may be modified by the
sea year split.
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