This program combines studies in the humanities and sciences with instruction and training in maritime disciplines to provide the U.S. Maritime Service Cadet with a broad-based education. The student who successfully completes the license program will be qualified to sit for the U.S. Coast Guard license examination as a Third Mate of any gross tonnage upon oceans, steam, or motor vessels and issuance of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) credentials. Cadets are also provided with solid fundamentals in business topics related to the maritime industry, ashore and afloat. Cadets who enroll in and apply to graduate in Marine Transportation must successfully complete the license examination for Third Mate in order to graduate from Texas A&M University.
Courses earning USCG or STCW qualifications, sea-time remission or STCW competency certification require a minimum grade of C (70%). In addition, all STCW proficiencies must be satisfactorily completed with a grade of 70% or better (See applicable course outlines available through the department).
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall |
MART 103 | Basic Safety and Lifeboatman Training 1,2 | 3 |
MART 115 | Seamanship I 1,2 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
MART 201 | Vessel Structure and Ship Knowledge 1,2 | 3 |
MART 204 | Terrestrial Navigation 1,2 | 3 |
NVSC 200 | Naval Science for the Merchant Marine Officer 1,2 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Summer |
MART 200 | Deck Sea Training I: Basic Communications, Navigation and Seamanship 1,2 | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 4 |
Second Year |
Fall |
ECON 203
| Principles of Economics
or Principles of Economics | 3 |
MART 212 | Marine Dry Cargo Operations 1,2 | 3 |
MART 215 | Seamanship II 1,2,3 | 3 |
MART 303 | Celestial Navigation 1,2 | 3 |
PHYS 201 | College Physics | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
MART 202 | Ship Stability and Trim 1,2 | 3 |
MART 210 | Integrated Navigation I: RADAR/ARPA/ECDIS 1,2 | 4 |
MART 321 | Navigation Rules, International and Inland 1,2 | 2 |
PHYS 202 | College Physics | 4 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Summer |
MART 300
| Deck Sea Training II: Intermediate Communications, Navigation and Seamanship 1,2
or Deck Sea Training II – Commercial Internship | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 4 |
Third Year |
Fall |
MART 208 | Maritime Meteorology 1,2 | 3 |
MART 307 | Global Maritime Distress Safety System 1,2 | 3 |
MART 310 | Integrated Navigation II: Electronic Navigation 1,2 | 2 |
MART 315 | Seamanship III 1 | 2 |
POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
MARA 301 | Ocean Transportation I 1 | 3 |
MART 313 | Marine Liquid Cargo Operations 1,2 | 3 |
MART 410 | Integrated Navigation III: Bridge Watchstanding 1,2,3 | 2 |
POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Summer |
MART 400 | Deck Sea Training III: Advanced Communications, Navigation and Seamanship 1,2 | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 4 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
MARA 416 | Port Operations, Administration and Economics 1 | 3 |
MART 403 | Advanced Topics in Shipboard Operations 1 | 2 |
MART 404 | The Navigator 1 | 2 |
MART 498 | Maritime Medical Care 1,2,5 | 2 |
1,4 | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
MARA 421 | Admiralty Law 1 | 3 |
MART 401 | Maritime Security 1,2 | 3 |
1,4 | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 132 |
All electives must be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the student's academic advisor. Unless courses are specifically listed, see University Core Curriculum for a listing of course options for Communication; Mathematics; Life and Physical Sciences; Language, Philosophy and Culture; Creative Arts; American History; Government and Political Sciences; and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The 6-hour University Core Curriculum requirement for International and Cultural Diversity may be met with courses used to satisfy other degree requirements.
MART students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all MART courses, including electives in field.
The total hours may be increased if the student is required to take remedial math, remedial English, foreign language or International and Cultural Diversity courses, or any of the six hour cruise options. The six hour cruise options (NAUT 200, NAUT 300 and NAUT 400 or MARR 200, MARR 300 and MARR 400) do not add any required hours to the degree plan.
This degree requires full participation in the Texas A&M University Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets as a qualified License Option cadet. Refer to the University catalog section for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy for additional information. In addition to the academic requirements outlined here, the cadet must also complete the following requirements to receive the degree:
-
Successfully complete required sea service and minimum training cruise requirements.
-
Pass a comprehensive professional examination (either the Third Mate Unlimited- Oceans or Third Assistant Engineering Unlimited) administered by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
-
Successfully complete all competencies required by the International Convention on Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).
Note: STCW competency certifications expire 5 years after completion. If the cadet does not complete the degree within that time period, the cadet will be required to revalidate the expired competency prior to graduation.