Undergraduate Program
Ever since its founding in 1943, the United States Merchant Marine Academy has been preparing young men and women for leadership roles. The undergraduate mission of Kings Point is to "educate and graduate officers and leaders of honor and integrity who are dedicated to serving the economic and defense interests of the United States in our armed forces and Merchant Marine, and who will contribute to an intermodal transportation system that effectively ties America together. A federal institution of higher learning, the Academy is operated by the Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. The undergraduate enrollment includes 950 students from all fifty states and several foreign nations.
A Unique Learning Experience
Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy enjoy a unique learning experience. At the Academy, midshipmen engage in rigorous academic studies focusing in either marine transportation or marine engineering related fields. Additionally, all students are required to pursue studies and examinations leading to a U.S. Coast Guard license as a third mate or third assistant engineer. In addition to Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering, academic majors also include Intermodal Transportation and Logistics, Shipyard Management, and Systems Engineering.
Superior Facilities and Academic Programs
Student life at the Academy is demanding. Along with the exacting academic program, discipline and leadership are instilled through a regimental system. Further, midshipmen spend nearly one of their four years at sea, aboard commercial vessels engaged in worldwide trade. Students also participate in an extensive athletic and sailing program that boasts over twenty varsity sports. With its 83 acre waterside campus, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has some of the finest waterfront facilities for competitive and recreational sailing in the country.
A Legacy of Distinguished Graduates
Midshipmen graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree, a U.S. Coast Guard license, and a commission in the Naval Reserve. Midshipmen may elect a commission in any branch of the Armed Forces. As a result, USMMA is the only federal service academy that places graduates into each service nearly every year. To fulfill their service obligation, graduates may elect a variety of options, including, active duty in the military or five years of civilian service in the maritime industry coupled with an eight-year Naval Reserve commitment.
A Top Ranking Educational Institution
A recent Standard and Poor's survey ranked the United States Merchant Marine Academy 16th among all colleges and universities in the nation in percentage of graduates holding senior level executive positions in corporate America. U.S. News and World Report recently honored the technical achievements of Kings Point by ranking the Academy 18th among the best undergraduate engineering colleges and universities in the country.
For more information on the USMMA, please visit the USMMA Web site.