The College of Business Administration at Nicholls State University began offering students the option of maritime management as a degree concentration in the fall of 2013. In continuing Nicholls’ efforts to attract and serve new student groups, the maritime courses are also being offered to non-degree seeking individuals as part of a certificate program. According to Dr. Chadwick, director of the program, “We seek to accommodate both traditional students and those who are seeking to gain knowledge of the field, but not necessarily pursue a degree. This might include, but is not limited to, employees of maritime or maritime-related companies. In addition, a minor in Maritime Administration was approved this December. The minor is expected to attract students in both the College of Business and in Petroleum Engineering Technology and Safety Management.”
The program started with 24 students and had grown to almost 90 students this fall. “This despite the recent downturn in the oil and gas industry” said Dr. Chadwick, “It is a great time for the students to be in school, and we are getting a lot of interest from companies on the river. These firms have not been impacted by the downturn in oil prices and we are excited about the opportunities they have for our graduates.”
The goal of the maritime management concentration is to prepare the student for a career in general management in the maritime industry, with particular focus on the oil and gas sector, as well as periphery businesses. According to Dr. Chadwick, “While the technical and community colleges have created programs to develop workers with specific skill sets, until now, there was no four year business program designed to address the need for professional or managerial expertise. The program is truly unique to the state, and probably the country, in that it focuses on the oil and gas sector of the maritime industry.”
“None of this would have been possible without the support we in the college of business received from industry partners. The program is fully funded by local and regional businesses. In addition to the financial support, these and other firms have collaborated to develop the courses and content that will be delivered to students. We want to ensure that we are delivering course material that is relevant to the jobs our graduates will pursue” said Chadwick. The maritime management concentration, as part of the four year management degree, includes courses such as Introduction to Maritime Management, Admiralty Law, Marine Accident Prevention, Economics of Shipping and an internship with a maritime-related firm. “We have already placed 15 graduates in regional maritime related companies. In addition, students have completed over 30 internships in 20 different companies. The support from industry has been tremendous as the relationship provides value for both the firms and our students.”
