Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, Maine
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Founded by an act of the 90th Maine Legislature in March of 1941, Maine Maritime Academy is a public, co-educational college with courses of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. Rigorous courses and experiential learning combine practical skills and knowledge to prepare students for success as mariners, engineers, supply chain managers, logistics professionals, and scientists.
Maine Maritime Academy is committed to providing students with a quality, marine-focused education. The curriculum fosters a lifetime of learning as it instills in students a sense of curiosity, self-discipline, and ethics.
Get to know Maine Maritime Academy
College Highlights
“I want you to get involved, take responsibility for your success, and seek challenges.” – Dr. David Gardner, Convocation
FIELD EXPERIENCE
The Field Experience program is a distinguishing characteristic of MMA. Students are encouraged to apply their classroom knowledge and practical skills to fields related to their area of study. Students can expect to:
- Work for national and multinational companies whose objectives are to train and evaluate students as prospective employees
- Earn academic credit toward graduation
- Apply classroom knowledge and develop practical skills while getting paid
- Complete field experience during summers between academic years
CADET SHIPPING
At the end of their sophomore year, students pursuing a U.S. Coast License to be an engineer or deck officer are assigned as cadets on merchant vessels to further familiarize themselves with shipboard procedures while acquiring days at sea. Majors eligible to participate include:
- Marine Transportation Operations
- Marine Engineering Operations
- Marine Engineering Technology
- Marine Systems Engineering
ANNUAL TRAINING CRUISES
The Schooner Bowdoin is a National Historic Landmark, the Official Vessel of the State of Maine, and the flagship of the Vessel Operations and Technology program. Students can expect to shadow crew members as they navigate and maintain the 88-foot-tall ship during the summer months. Other responsibilities include:
- Learning to fit the schooner for sailing season
- Learning about terrestrial and celestial navigation
- Watchkeeping, vessel handling, and emergency operations
Maine Maritime Academy is the only college in the United States with a dedicated sail training program that leads to a U.S. Coast Guard license as mate on an auxiliary sail vessel.
At the end of their freshman and junior years, students pursuing an unlimited U.S. Coast Guard license to be an engineer or deck officer participate in training voyages aboard the Training Ship State of Maine, a 500-foot former Navy oceanographic research vessel. First-year students (4/C Midshipmen) will complete a summer training voyage on the training ship during which they will learn the basics of life at sea, introductory seamanship, operation of ship’s machinery, and shipboard safety regulations and procedures. This training cruise is designed to give the students basic experience in both deck and engineering areas. Third-year students (2/C Midshipmen) will complete a second training cruise on the training ship, taking an active role in the daily operation of the training ship and supervising 4/C Midshipmen.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 38 | 10-19: 140 | 20-29: 120
30-39: 47 | 40-49: 5 | 50-99: 0 | 100+: 0
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 0%
Hispanic/Latino: 2%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 1%
White, non-Hispanic: 87%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 0%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 7%
“The hands-on training you receive is excellent, whether in the wet lab, simulators, or the waterfront and training ship. Maine Maritime is a unique place to learn.” – Elisha R.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
As a career-oriented college, Maine Maritime Academy is focused on preparing students for their future positions well before graduation. Since its founding in 1941, MMA has prided itself on its hands-on, rigorous curriculum, which is supported by a wealth of specialized laboratories, state-of-the-art simulators, research vessels, marine science labs, power plant and navigation simulators, a wet lab, and much more. Students learn by using the very equipment they will be using daily in their careers.
Experiential learning is at the core of an MMA education; in fact, most majors include a field experience or internship as part of the standard curriculum. Notable opportunities include:
- At-sea engineering experience on training ships and commercial vessels
- Marine biology cruises aboard research vessels
- Operations training in operating plants that generate electrical power
WRITING-INTENSIVE COURSES
MMA prepares its students to be effective communicators, which is why every freshman takes a composition course designed to give them a solid foundation. Beyond this course, students are challenged to write in the context of their major throughout their educational careers. Business majors take management writing; engineering majors study technical writing, and the logistics program contains a sequential writing process with a weekly journal and research-based project to write over the course of the semester.
WRITING CENTER
The writing center is available to students who need assistance in every stage of the writing process. Whether a student is brainstorming, outlining, or editing drafts, the writing center can help with any writing project.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES
All students are encouraged to utilize such available resources as open-door faculty office hours, course help sessions, a navigation lab, math/physics lab, and individualized peer tutoring.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Cooperative education program
Double major
Honors Program
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
HEAD AND HEART
Students at MMA are active; they are involved in various activities, organizations, hobbies, and athletics. One distinguishing feature of MMA is its combination of a traditional college lifestyle with the different life experiences for those who participate in the Regiment of Midshipmen. The Regiment is an intensive, structured program that fosters leadership, honor, integrity, and camaraderie. Midshipmen are required to go through rigorous physical and mental training that prepares them for the kinds of daily situations they will encounter as mariners.
“It is the camaraderie that makes MMA such a special place.” – Ed. R
SCHOOL LOCATION
Maine Maritime Academy’s 35-acre campus is situated on a hillside overlooking Penobscot Bay in idyllic Castine, Maine. Castine is rich in history, beauty, and maritime tradition. Students are welcome to explore the beauty of Castine as well as the neighboring communities and such state parks as Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and the Appalachian Trail. Some students choose to commute from nearby communities as well.
ATHLETICS
MMA is proud to offer students athletic opportunities that connect the community and provide co-curricular learning opportunities. Its Varsity Athletic Program, for example, allows students to develop skills in their chosen sport while learning valuable life lessons. Apart from sailing, which competes under the rules of the Intercollegiate Sailing Coaches Association, MMA’s teams compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Club sports are also available to both male and female students.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 95%
Undergraduates: 80%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Wellness housing
“We carry this sense of community, support, and pride to the corners of the world we travel to upon graduating.” – Chris G.
CAREER SERVICES
MMA readily supports students in wherever their post-graduate journey may lead them. The Career Services office helps students learn and practice business etiquette, prepare and plan for internships, and learn about companies and related industries. Students are expected to establish a professional relationship with the Career Services office as early as their first semester. No matter their professional goals, students are given individualized guidance as they prepare for internships or field experiences that are tailored to their needs.
CAREER FAIR
The Maine Maritime Academy’s Annual Informational Career Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and network with industry professionals and discuss employment and cooperative educational opportunities.
PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION
With a placement rate of approximately 90% within three months of graduation, MMA consistently produces students who are committed to their industry, know the value of hard work, and understand what it means to be a professional. MMA’s unique academic programs are combined with extensive, practical hands-on training in the fields of engineering, marine transportation, business, logistics, and marine science. It’s no wonder how so many MMA students are able to join the workforce immediately upon graduation.
Admission
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Application closing date (fall): Mar. 1
Priority date: Nov. 1
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Extracurricular activities | Character/personal qualities
Important
Class rank | Academic GPA | Standardized test scores | Recommendation(s)
Talent/ability | Volunteer work | Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest
Considered
Application Essay | First generation
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 490 | 75th Percentile: 590
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 590
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 24
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 24
ACT English
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $10,250
Tuition (out-of-state): $23,600
Fees: $3,028
Room: $4,040
Board: $6,070
Aid
Maine Maritime Academy wants to make its world-class education affordable for every student. The Financial Aid Office provides federal, state, and institutional aid programs to qualified students to help finance their education. The MMA Financial Aid Office also offers advice to help students and their families understand and navigate the complicated financial aid process. MMA requires that students submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial aid.
What Others are Saying
Contact Maine Maritime Academy
Contact Admissions
mainemaritime.edu/admissions
(800) 464-6565
admissions@mma.edu
Campus Location
1 Pleasant Street
Castine, ME 04420
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