USMMA Master of Marine Engineering Program Completes its 6th Year.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Master of Science in Marine Engineering (MMarE) program is moving ahead and is currently completing its 6th year of operation. In addition, the MMarE program, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, was recently ranked 12th in “Student Engagement & Accreditation” in the U.S. News 2012 Top Online Education Program Rankings for Graduate Programs in Engineering. Additionally, it was ranked 20th in “Faculty Credentials & Training” and 21st in “Student Services and Technology.”
The program is unique in that it blends the application and theory of marine engineering at the graduate level and consists almost entirely of distance-learning courses. This method of instruction enables working engineers to complete courses without the need to take a leave of absence from their jobs or relocate. Courses are taught by subject-matter experts who are members of the Academy’s full-time faculty or are practicing professionals from industry and are offered in the fall and spring. A limited number of courses are also offered during a summer semester. Although many students enter the MMarE program to build upon an undergraduate education in marine engineering, the program is also intended for practicing marine engineers who do not have a B.S. or B.E. in this discipline.
To earn the Academy’s Master of Science Degree in Marine Engineering, a student must successfully complete seven required courses (Thermal System Design & Optimization, Computational Methods, Advanced Marine Power Plants, Advanced Marine Materials, Electrical Power Systems, Internal Combustion Engine Analysis & New Technologies, and Maritime Industry Policy) and five electives (36 credits total). A student may also elect to substitute an appropriate thesis in an area that he or she has an interest for one or two of the elective courses. This provides students with an opportunity to investigate contemporary issues or new technologies that are relevant to the marine industry. In addition, a four-course, 12-credit Electric Power Graduate Certificate program is available, and some individuals have enrolled in single courses as non-matriculated students.
Additional information about the MMarE program can be found at http://www.usmma.edu/gradcourse or obtained by contacting the Program Director, W.J. Sembler, at semblerw@usmma.edu.