A Shipshape Career: U.S. Merchant Mariners
The U.S. Merchant Marine includes nearly 52,000 people who operate and maintain the ships, barges, and other vessels that keep America’s economy running smoothly by transporting goods essential to our everyday lives. Yet most Americans know very little about the U.S. Merchant Marine.
In the course of a year, American seafarers set sail on 773 ships to carry everything from lumber and grain to produce and cattle, more than a million tons of cargo. Crews operate our nation’s overseas supply lines, but they also work on America’s inland rivers and lakes. These days we also depend on the sea for our sources of energy—oil, gas, coal and nuclear power—as well as for our borders and ports of entry along the border with Canada and Mexico.
As our economic relationship with Canada and Mexico grows increasingly connected, maritime workers help to ensure that our nation can continue living up to its international obligations. They monitor U.S. ports along the border and keep our coastal waters safe and clean. They maintain our ice breakers, which have been critical to opening up shipping lanes in the Arctic Ocean—one of America’s most promising untapped energy sources. Our merchant mariners also safeguard our nation’s borders and ports by inspecting incoming vessels to prevent terrorism, illegal smuggling and harmful cargo.
Today, U.S. maritime workers are operating in an increasingly global environment—the Coast Guard even has a ship on permanent patrol in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia – so people interested in this profession need to be ready for both national and international service opportunities.
The U.S. Merchant Marine is a great choice for students looking to take a less traditional path through college and into life after college. Learning the skills to run a ship or vessel takes real hands-on training and experience that you won’t find in traditional classroom settings. It also provides opportunities to travel the world and gain professional work experience while in school. You’ll be joining other professionals who work in diverse fields—navigation, engineering, seamanship, communications, cargo handling, operations and management—and have opportunities for careers with all types of maritime employers.
Still not sure if this is the right choice for you? Think about this: A career aboard ships means you will always have new adventures waiting around the next corner. For example, you might be transporting a load of grain and suddenly your captain spots a pod of dolphins playing in the water. Or perhaps through your shipboard communications system you receive word that there is a storm out at sea but, instead of fear and concern, you feel excited about being able to witness the power of nature first-hand.
From what you’ve just read, this career path can be anything from exciting to humbling—and everything in between.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), located in Kings Point on Long Island (New York), was established by Congress in 1946 specifically for the purpose of training officers for service in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Today, it serves as the capstone for a career in the U.S. Merchant Marine, providing an opportunity for midshipmen to obtain a bachelor of science degree from one of America’s finest maritime colleges.
The Academy offers a four-year program of instruction, which includes classroom studies and actual training aboard merchant ships to prepare students for careers in the U.S. Merchant Marine—the largest fleet in the world, with over 1,000 vessels on the water at any given time.
The Academy also provides opportunities to study abroad in England or France and to earn degrees from some of their respective maritime academies—the oldest marine training schools in existence today.
The U.S. Merchant Marine has attracted a robust community of international students who help to build bridges between the United States and Europe, as well as other countries around the globe. About a third of the Academy’s student body is international, and they continue pursuing their studies at USMMA while also working full-time aboard ships.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and offers four associate degrees: in Business Administration, Information Systems, Information Technology and Logistics Management (Computer Information Systems); plus two bachelor’s degrees: in Business Administration – Marine Transportation Management; plus a bachelor of science degree in Oceanography – Ocean Engineering Technology (Seamanship).
A four-year degree through the Academy gives midshipmen the opportunity to pursue a career in their chosen field while also providing them with general education and training that can be helpful throughout their careers. USMMA graduates may pursue opportunities in the private sector, as well as in maritime industry, government service (military, Coast Guard, marine transportation services), higher education, international trade and business.
Fortunately for students interested in this career path, a four-year degree from USMMA runs about $140,000 – which is an affordable option for people from all backgrounds—including working-class families with student loan debt.
The US Merchant Marine Academy has been accreditted by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1971.
For more information about this career path, or to speak with the dean of admissions or one of our advisors, please contact us.
Top
The U.S. Merchant MARINE Academy has been accredited by the Middle States association since 1971 and provides an affordable option for people from all backgrounds—including those who may not have received a four-year college education elsewhere.
USMMA offers a four-year degree with the opportunity to pursue a career in the U.S. Merchant Marine—one of the largest fleets in the world, with over 1,000 vessels on the water at any given time. It also provides opportunities to study abroad, earn degrees from some of their respective maritime academies and provide an affordable option for students interested in this career path.
Graduates from USMMA may pursue opportunities in a variety of industry sectors, including government service (military, Coast Guard and marine transportation services), higher education and international trade and business. USMMA graduates may pursue employment opportunities through a number of agencies within government or private industry depending on their area of interest.
A four-year degree through the Academy provides midshipmen with the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree while also providing them with general education and training that can be helpful throughout their careers. USMMA graduates may pursue opportunities in a variety of industries, including government service, higher education, international trade and business.
In addition to an affordable tuition—generally between $140,000 and $150,000—USMMA graduates receive the following benefits:
The U.S. Merchant Mariner Academy (USMMA) is accredited by the Middle States association since 1971.
Conclusion
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has been accredited by the Middle States association since 1971, and provides an affordable option for people from all backgrounds—including those who may not have received a four-year college education elsewhere.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy offers a four-year program of instruction, which includes classroom studies and actual training aboard merchant ships to prepare students for careers in the U.S. Merchant Marine—the largest fleet in the world, with over 1,000 vessels on the water at any given time.