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Curricula lead to the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering degree with licensure as a third officer (mate or engineer) for the Merchant Marine. The license, issued by the Coast Guard, opens up the full spectrum of shoreside maritime industry related jobs and civilian sea-going employment (merchant ships, offshore drilling and mineral resource recovery, research ships, etc.). Graduates are qualified to sail on oceangoing vessels, on inland waterways, on the Great Lakes, and on coastal waters, which includes tug and barge operations.

Business administration/marine transportation students complete a strong traditional core curriculum in business administration, with minor concentrations in management, international business, transportation management, and marine operations. This program is integrated into a deck license training program in which cadets study all aspects of navigation, ship handling, and nautical rules of the road. Graduates are qualified to sail as merchant marine officers or to work ashore in the various aspects of the maritime industry, including ship chartering, ship brokerage, the import/export business, port management, and transportation management.

The College also offers outstanding programs in engineering and naval architecture. Marine engineering prepares Maritime College graduates with a broad understanding of the energy and power industries. This program is offered with a Third Assistant Engineer's License. Engine license candidates get the experience of operating a live power plant aboard the training ship, a powerful combination of design engineering and hands-on technology. Naval architecture, offered with deck or engine license, teaches the design of ships and sea-based structures, with specialty concentrations in the study and design of commercial ships, small craft, naval vessels, and offshore structures. Two new B.S. degree programs in engineering (marine operations and marine electrical and electronic systems) are offered with a deck license.

Other degrees offered at Maritime College include marine environmental science, offered with a deck license option; a humanities study area concentration, available with deck or engine license preparation; and the associate degree in marine technology/small vessel operations, which is offered with a 500 ton license.

Maritime’s Undergraduate Programs Choices and More Choices
 At SUNY Maritime, as at most colleges, entering students must identify the program they wish to pursue. However, Maritime students, may have additional options to consider, such as on whether to pursue a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s License or not, and whether to be in the Regiment of Cadets or not. Here are some guidelines to help clarify the decision making process.

1. Regiment: All students pursuing a USCG Merchant Mariner’s License – deck or engine – must be a member of the Regiment of Cadets. All other students, however, have the option of joining the Regiment. Please note that there is no military or any other type of service obligation incurred through the pursuit of a USCG License or from being a member of the Regiment of Cadets.
2. USCG License: In some degree programs, passing the USCG Merchant Mariner’s License examination is a requirement of the degree, and completing all degree requirements is necessary to receive the license. In other words, the degree and license are linked; a student receives both degree and license or neither.
3. Civilian Students (those not in the Regiment of Cadets): There are several SUNY Maritime College programs that do not lead to a USCG license; anyone enrolled in these programs may choose to attend the College as a civilian student. These curricula generally involve internships rather than three required summer semesters at sea, although one requires a semester at sea plus two internships. Keep in mind, ANY student, regardless of major, may apply to be part of the Regiment and take advantage of the leadership training and opportunities this provides.
4. The table below shows the possible combinations of degree/license/regimental – civilian choices. To learn the specifics of any Maritime program, click on the specific title in the following list.