Academic Program Information

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a four-year, residential college accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and a member of the Massachusetts State University system. The Academy awards a Bachelor of Science degree in seven undergraduate programs and a Master of Science degree in three graduate programs.

The seven undergraduate degree programs are:

The three graduate degree programs are:

The Academy’s curricula are continually evolving in response to changes in the industries served by its programs. The Academy provides an exceptionally high level of academic support for an excellent instructional program. Course requirements and offerings are routinely evaluated and revised by departmental committees, the All University Committee, the Curriculum Committee, and the Graduate Education Council.

Academic Credit Hour Definition

In accordance with federal guidelines, Massachusetts Maritime Academy defines the credit hour to reasonably approximate the following:

  • A credit hour for a class is one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work per week over a semester;

  • A credit hour for laboratories is two hours of lab time and two hours of out-of-class student work per week over a semester;

  • A credit hour for an online class is one hour of direct synchronous or asynchronous instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work per week over a semester.

  • A credit hour for cooperative education placements or experiential learning opportunities is a minimum of 40 contact hours, plus 5 hours of independent student project work if a project is required.

Note: in accordance with federal guidelines, MMA operates on a 50-minute hour for definition of a credit hour and defines a typical workday as eight contact hours.

Undergraduate Programs

Incoming students must declare a major as part of the admissions process. The academic year consists of two academic semesters of approximately fifteen weeks each and an intersession period during which qualified students are expected to complete one or more of the following: sea term, cooperative education placements, experiential learning opportunities, commercial shipping, or courses through continuing education.

Normally, each student is enrolled in five or six three-credit academic courses per semester. However, a student can retain full-time status by maintaining a minimum course load of twelve credit hours each academic semester. Students who do not successfully complete all of the courses designated during the appropriate semesters in the curriculum for their major must understand that such failure may affect their class designation, their expected date of graduation, their eligibility for financial aid, and their academic standing.

To carry a semester course load in excess of 19.5 credits, a student must first consult with his or her academic advisor and then obtain permission from the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or his/her designee. Note: overload tuition and fees apply for credits taken in excess of 20.0 (see Payment Policies page).

The curriculum for each major is designed to be completed in a systematic and sequential manner. Each semester, students are expected to enroll in courses appropriate to their academic standing and class designation.

Graduate Programs

Master of Science Degrees 

All graduate classes are held synchronously online. 

Courses meet on alternating week ends on Friday evenings from 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. The alternating weekend format provides students the opportunity to conduct research, meet with student teams, and satisfy classroom objectives for the next class meeting. The program begins with a one-day orientation. Each entering class comprises approximately 24 students, who progress through the program as a cohort. 

Admission Requirements 

The minimum requirements for admission to an MMA graduate program are as follows: 

• candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree; a minimum of two years professional work experience, though recent college graduates will be considered; 

• candidate must provide two professional recommendations; 

• candidate must provide official college transcripts from each college attended; 

• candidate must provide a current résumé; 

• candidate must provide a written statement of professional objectives, both long- and short-term, indicating how the graduate program will help the individual achieve these objectives. 

For more information, contact Graduate Programs at (508) 830-5096.