U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Sea Power, Jan 2004

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy offers a four-year undergraduate program that leads to a bachelor of science degree and a merchant marine license as a third mate or third assistant engineer. In addition, students are enrolled as midshipmen and upon graduation are commissioned as ensigns in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

The academy's significance as a worldrenowned institution of maritime education cannot be overestimated. Not only does the academy produce highly qualified officers for the merchant marine, it also is a major source of inactive-duty Naval Reserve officers. In peacetime, academy graduates create and operate efficient, cost-effective marine transportation systems. In times of conflict, academy graduates crew the ships that support America's armed forces.

The Merchant Marine Academy, dedicated in 1943, is recognized worldwide as an outstanding maritime educational institution, graduating approximately 180 licensed officers yearly. The academy is a tuition-free four-year accredited college operated by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Candidates for admission must be nominated by a U.S. representative or senator and compete for vacancies allocated by state in proportion to its representation in Congress. Current enrollment is approximately 950. In 1974, the academy became the first of the federal academies to admit women.

All academy graduates incur an eightyear U.S. Naval Reserve commitment, obligating them to serve in time of war or national emergency, if activated. Academy graduates also are committed to a five-year maritime service obligation, requiring them to obtain a merchant marine officer's license on or before graduation and to maintain the license for at least six years. This service obligation may be satisfied as an officer aboard U.S. merchant ships or, with the permission of the U.S. Maritime Administration, in shoreside maritime or intermodal transportation industry positions if afloat employment is not obtainable. Active military duty in any branch of the armed forces also satisfies the obligation-about 25 percent of graduates annually follow this career path.

The academy has kept its educational program responsive to the needs of America's maritime industry and to U.S. national-security requirements, both in its four-year undergraduate curriculum and in its continuing education program. Students receive Bachelor of Science degrees in the following areas of study: marine transportation; marine engineering; marine engineering systems; the maritime operations and technology program, which provides the marine transportation major with some fundamental engineering skills; logistics and intermodal transportation; or the marine engineering and shipyard management program.

Over the years, new emphasis has been placed on important emerging areas in the industry. The breadth of coursework and hands-on training prepares graduates to become not only merchant mariners, but also leaders in the maritime industry.

Superintendent: Rear Adm. Joseph D. Stewart, USMS.

Nomination Information: Candidates should contact their representative or senator and request nominations at the end of their junior year of high school. Completed applications must be received by the March 1 deadline, and candidates must qualify scholastically and physically. Eligibility considerations include high school academic records, class rank, SAT or ACT scores, and leadership potential.

Costs: Upon entrance, each midshipman pays a fee of $5,800 to cover student activities, personal services, and the cost of a personal computer. Fees for subsequent years range between $1,400 and $2,300 per year.

Financial Aid: Pay received by a midshipman is $764 a month during two training periods aboard ship. While the academy does not offer financial aid, its financial aid office can assist students with identifying and applying for assistance from external student loan sources.

For information, contact:

Office of Admissions,

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy,

Steamboat Road,

Kings Point, NY 11024-1699

Phone: (516) 773-5391 or (866) 546-4778

Fax:(516)773-5390

Website: www.usmma.edu