Regiment Required

Land rewarding jobs with shipping firms and power generation and energy production companies all over the world with the marine engineering operations degree at Maine Maritime Academy. You’ll gain a versatile skillset as a marine operations engineer through rigorous courses and practical hands-on learning opportunities aboard ships and in labs. You’ll also be eligible for 3rd assistant engineer jobs with a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) license.

Learn from a diverse group of brilliant and accomplished engineers who have deep experience in marine engineering and other engineering fields. These expert faculty hold the highest professional credentials and have extensive experience in the industries where you want to work.

60 sail, motor & training vessels
80 percent student retention
17 NCAA Division III sports

Professional Licenses

This bachelor’s degree in marine engineering operations leads to a 3rd Assistant Engineer license, which allows you to sail as an engineer on any vessel of any size. Once you pass the license exam, you’ll be qualified to work on oil rigs and oil drilling ships. You’ll also be eligible for a State of Maine Third Class Stationary Power Plant Operator license.

Excellent Location

Complementing the hands-on learning opportunities is Maine Maritime Academy’s ideal location on Castine Harbor. Situated on a hillside overlooking Penobscot Bay in historic Castine, Maine, you’ll have easy access to training both afloat and ashore. Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and the Appalachian Trail are within driving distance so you’ll have many options for outdoor adventures on land, too.

NECHE-Accredited

Maine Maritime Academy is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the regional accreditation agency for colleges and universities in New England.

Student Perspective

Bryant Peterson ’21
Major:
Marine Engineering Operations
Hometown:
Windham, ME
I love how hands-on my education is here and the faculty are amazing.
Bryant Peterson Photo

What Is Marine Engineering Operations?

Marine engineering operations is a specialty area of marine engineering and involves the study of engineering from a theoretical and operations aspect.

Why Study Marine Engineering Operations at Maine Maritime Academy?

You’ll become a versatile marine operations engineer through an undergraduate engineering program that is consistently ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. You’ll develop the competencies necessary to work all over the world with this demanding, hands-on marine engineering operations major.

Hands-on learning

Through hands-on labs and at-sea experience, including spending the summer aboard the 500-foot training ship State of Maine and commercial ships, you’ll reinforce the theory you’ve learned in classrooms ashore. You will put this practical experience to work as you pursue your career in marine engineering in the future.

Cutting-edge labs

In addition to the training ship State of Maine, you’ll learn in highly specialized labs and facilities. These include Maine Maritime Academy’s working steam and diesel engine labs, electrical and electronics labs, steam and diesel simulator labs, machine shop, static equipment displays, and other equipment widely used in industry.

Regiment of Midshipmen

As part of this degree’s USCG requirements, you will participate in the Regiment of Midshipmen, a uniformed student body at Maine Maritime Academy. Through the Regiment, you’ll benefit from leadership opportunities and build your self-confidence and maturity. You’ll learn what shipboard life is like while operating and monitoring ship systems and standing watch. You’ll also make lifelong friends through the camaraderie created by the regimental system.

What Can You Do With A Marine Engineering Operations Degree?

With the marine engineering operations degree you’ll be prepared to work in a range of industries, including offshore shipping, oil and power, facilities management, shipyards, manufacturing, and more. Our graduates serve in the Navy and work as field engineers repairing steam and gas turbines and diesel engines. They’re also shipyard managers, port engineers, vibration analysts, airplane pilots, ship designers, and more. The marine engineering operations degree will also prepare you for graduate school.

Career outlook in marine engineering

Employment of marine engineers and naval architects is projected to grow 9% through 2028, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is the typical marine engineering salary?

Maine Maritime is one of the best schools for providing alumni with return on investment, according to a 2019 Georgetown University study. Maine Maritime was sixth in the top 10 list, outscoring Harvard. More good news: Maine Maritime graduates in marine engineering operations often ship out on commercial vessels or oil drilling ships and earn a marine engineering salary that exceeds $100k their first year.

Alumni Perspective

Craig Johnson ’91
Major:
Marine Engineering Operations
Hometown:
Miami, Florida
My experience at MMA challenged me to manage challenges, personalities, and to get jobs done. I made friends that will last a lifetime, which I feel has helped me the most since leaving the school.

Explore Classes for the Marine Engineering Operations Degree

Courses for marine engineering operations mirror most of those for the marine engineering technology degree but are less focused on math and science. The program offers the most electives and flexibility to pursue minors of any of the 4-year engineering programs at Maine Maritime. Through courses in the arts and sciences, you’ll become a well-rounded engineer who has the ability to think critically, solve problems, and communicate. Engineering faculty regularly consult with an industrial advisory committee to ensure courses align with industry needs.

  • Fundamentals of Engineering Operations
  • Graphics
  • Composition
  • Pre-Calculus Mathematics
  • Introduction to Nautical Science
  • Personal Development I
  • Ocean Survival
  • USCG Fire Fighting
  • Any PE Course
  • Structured Problem Solving with Computer
  • Humanties I
  • Technical Calculus I
  • Maintenance - First Year
  • TecShip Structure & Stability
  • Personal Development I
  • Technical Physics I
  • USCG Fire Fighting Live Burn
  • Lifeboat Exam
  • First Year Cruise
  • Steam Generators I
  • Diesel Power I
  • Fluid Power
  • Humanities II
  • Maintenance Sophomore Engine
  • Personal Development II
  • Technical Physics II
  • Power Equipment Lab
  • Machine Tool Operations I
  • Diesel Power II
  • Thermodynamics I
  • Electrical Power I
  • Technical Communications
  • Personal Development II
  • Cadet Shipping Engine
  • Welding
  • Steam Turbines I
  • Machine Tool Operations II
  • Electrical Power II
  • Personal Development III
  • Free Elective
  • Any EC/HC/Hum/SS/HY/PY Course
  • Chemical Principles
  • Steam Power Systems I
  • Gas Turbines
  • Maintenance Junior Engine
  • Personal Development III
  • Free Elective
  • Junior Cruise Engine
  • Intro to Envrtl Regs & Ethical Indtl Compl
  • Marine Refridgeration & Air Conditioning
  • Automation and Control
  • Power Control Electronics
  • Maintenance Senior Engine
  • Personal Development IV
  • Any EC/HC/Hum/SS/HY/PY Course
  • Steam Power Systems II
  • Engineering Economics
  • Medical Care Provider
  • Personal Development IV
  • Free Elective
  • Any EG/ES/ET/NA Elective
  • Any EC/GE/GENED/HC/HY/PO/PY Course

View all courses for the marine engineering operations degree.

Department Faculty

207-326-2174
Donald McCann
Associate Professor
207-326-2785
Joseph Harman
Assistant Professor

Get Started on Your Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering Operations

Take the next step toward earning your marine engineering operations degree at Maine Maritime Academy.

Contact an Admissions Representative

If you’re ready for a future in marine engineering, please contact an admissions representative at Maine Maritime Academy.

Rated Military Friendly®

Maine Maritime Academy welcomes veterans and has the resources in place to help you transition to student life. Please contact our dedicated admissions representative for veterans.

Transfer

Maine Maritime Academy welcomes motivated and academically qualified transfer students. Please contact our admissions office to learn more about transferring to Maine Maritime Academy.

Apply now and request more information

We invite you to start your application or request more information about marine engineering operations at Maine Maritime Academy.

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