Admissions

Requirements

To be considered for admission to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, candidates must be capable of college-level study and have successfully completed high school courses in the following six subject areas.

Mathematics: Four courses in mathematics, (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or Trigonometry or comparable coursework), including mathematics taken during the final year of high school.

English: Four courses in English, including grammar, composition, writing skills, and literature.

Foreign Language: Two sequential, one-year courses in either a classical or modern foreign language.

Social Science: Two courses in social science, including one in United States history.

Science : Three courses from natural science and/or physical science and/or technology/ engineering, including three courses with laboratory work. Technology/engineering courses must be designated as science courses (taken for science credit) by the high school; chemistry and physics are strongly recommended.

Elective Courses: At least two other elective courses from the above subjects or from the Arts and Humanities or Computer Science.

Admissions Committee

The Office of Admissions begins to review applications in early fall. November 1 is the early action deadline. Students who submit their application and all supporting documents on or prior to November 1 will be notified of a decision before the end of December. At that time, students will either be accepted or moved to rolling admission. Rolling admission review (accept, deny, or wait list) will begin on a regular basis at the conclusion of early action review when practicable, and no later than December 15, until the class is filled.

Admission to the Academy is based upon a complete evaluation of a candidate’s academic record, testing information (including optional SAT or ACT scores), letter of recommendation, extracurricular and community activities, and leadership potential. A personal interview is recommended but not required as part of the admission process. All information regarding interviews, tours, and admission to the Academy, including details of all requirements and application forms, may be obtained by visiting the MMA website or calling the Office of Admissions at (800) 544-3411.

Physical Examination

Participation in the Regiment of Cadets is physically and mentally demanding. Enrollment in some programs is therefore contingent on the applicant being physically and mentally qualified. In general, illnesses or physical problems that would render the applicant unable to perform the regular duties of an officer of a ship at sea as determined by USCG standards disqualify students from the Marine Transportation or Marine Engineering major. Any questions regarding potential eligibility for USCG licensure based on a physical or mental condition may be discussed with Health Services by calling (508) 830-5048 or by emailing nurse@maritime.edu. Accepted candidates are required to complete a physical examination by a physician of their choice and at their own expense. They must submit proof of compliance with the vaccination requirements of the Academy. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a drug-free and smoke-free campus. Upon entry, all cadets are subject to random chemical screening. Candidates interested in serving as commissioned officers in the United States uniformed services are subject to certain minimum physical requirements. Additionally, candidates wishing to serve as officers in the United States Merchant Marine are subject to certain minimum physical requirements prescribed by the United States Coast Guard for licensing eligibility. U.S. Coast Guard regulations concerning the original licensing of Merchant Marine Officers require applicants to meet specific vision requirements. Deck officers must have vision correctable to at least 20/40 in one eye and be able to pass a U.S. Coast Guard approved color vision test. Engineering officers must have vision correctable to at least 20/50 in one eye and be able to distinguish red, green, blue, and yellow as determined by a medical professional. Uncorrected vision of greater than 20/200 may be subjected to the U.S. Coast Guard waiver process. Inadequate color perception will disqualify an applicant for licensure. Students in U.S. Coast Guard license-track programs (Marine Transportation or Marine Engineering) must satisfy U.S. Merchant Marine medical requirements (719K)within nine months of beginning the program.

Students with Disabilities

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The Academic Accommodations Coordinator works with the faculty and campus departments to provide support for students with disabilities in compliance with the mandates of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2009. At the post-secondary school level, a student must disclose their learning differences in order to receive reasonable academic accommodations. A student must submit documentation to Academic Accessibility Services (ADAcompliance@maritime.edu) from a qualified professional stating the nature of the disability and its impact on the student’s learning in the college environment. This evaluation documentation must have been completed within three years of enrollment at MMA and must include recommendations from the evaluator that address the specific learning disability. An individualized education plan (I.E.P.) or 504 plan without underlying assessment documentation is not acceptable. The required documentation criteria are also available for download on the MMA web site. Once documentation is received and reviewed by the Academic Accommodations Coordinator, a support services plan is developed with the student. Depending upon the nature of the disability, students may be eligible for one or more of the allowing accommodations, among others:

• extended time for quizzes and tests (not to exceed time and one-half),

• preferential seating,

• reduced-distraction room for testing,

• priority registration,

• word processor use,

• use of tape recorder for lectures,

• textbooks on electronic media.

Reasonable accommodations will be arranged for a student, provided the accommodations do not substantially alter the fundamental nature of the academic class or program.

Academic Accessibility Services, part of the Academic Resource Center, is located on the third floor of the ABSIC Building. For questions or concerns about documentation guidelines or the accommodation process, please visit the Academic Accessibility Services link on our website or call the Academic Accommodations Coordinator at (508) 830-5350 or by email at: ADAcompliance@maritime.edu.

Priority enrollment is given to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who meet the admissions standards.