Marine Transportation

Required coursework for this program is as follows:

• Students receive extensive theoretical and practical training in navigation, seamanship, ship construction, design and damage control
• Training on state-of-the-art ship and tugboat simulators and hands-on experience aboard Academy training vessels
• Four terms at sea, including one aboard a commercial vessel

View Curriculum 

Choosing Marine Transportation as a major means preparing for a career that is hands-on, challenging, and essential to the global economy. It’s a field for students who want more than traditional classroom experience. Those who want to lead, enjoy responsibility, teamwork, and the idea of a career that combines technology, leadership, and adventure, Marine Transportation offers a clear path to professional success and long-term career flexibility.

A degree in Marine Transportation opens the door to a wide range of career paths both at sea and ashore. Graduates commonly begin their careers as licensed deck officers aboard commercial vessels, with opportunities to advance to chief mate and captain. Beyond sailing, Marine Transportation alumni are well positioned for shoreside roles in port operations, vessel traffic services, marine safety, logistics, terminal management, and maritime regulatory agencies. Marine Transportation also translates well to careers with shipping companies, harbor pilot organizations, tug and barge operators, offshore industries, and government service.

Onboard our ship or tug boats, cadets put their classroom knowledge right to work, improving their vessel handling and decision-making skills along the way.

Simulation is one of the most significant innovations in maritime training and Marine Transportation majors have ample opportunity to practice a variety of technical skills such as navigation, rules of the road and ship handling on our full spectrum of simulators, including radar, electronic chart display and full-mission bridge simulators. The exercises are challenging, feedback is immediate, and cadets can participate in scenarios at or above their skill level to practice for the real world.

The MTRA program includes approximately 50 days of practical shipboard training each year to satisfy STCW requirements for sea service. Shipboard training typically takes place during the annual sea term. Students gain practical experience either aboard the Patriot State or aboard commercial merchant ships to experience the maritime industry first-hand. The MTRA major requires students to complete four sea terms.

1. Acquired knowledge, experience and training needed to obtain the necessary licenses, certificates and documentation for a Third Mate's position on any U.S. Flag vessel sailing upon Oceans.
2. Ability to stand proper and safe Navigational and Deck watches at the Third Mate level.
3. An inculcated sense of honor, decency and ethics that will allow our graduates to bring credit to Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine.