Maine Maritime Academy > Graduate Catalog > Graduate Program

Master of Science in Maritime Management (M.S.)

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Maritime Management prepares students to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to address complex strategic and operational challenges across maritime and related industries. The program emphasizes leadership, managerial decision-making, applied learning, and professional competencies that support career advancement and organizational effectiveness.

The M.S. in Maritime Management offers two concentrations:

  1. International Logistics Management (ILM) – A fully online program designed for professionals seeking advanced knowledge and skills in international logistics and supply chain management.
  2. Global Logistics and Vessel Operations (GLVO) – A hybrid program combining the online International Logistics Management (ILM) graduate curriculum with Maine Maritime Academy’s undergraduate Small Vessel Operations (SVO) program. The concentration integrates graduate-level management and logistics education with hands-on maritime education and training.

Graduate courses are offered in five nine-week sessions per academic year. Students may take one or two graduate courses per session, allowing them to progress through the program at a pace appropriate to their academic and professional commitments.

Program Format:

  • The online graduate program, including the International Logistics Management (ILM) concentration, is delivered fully online and asynchronously.
  • The Global Logistics and Vessel Operations (GLVO) concentration requires completion of the online International Logistics Management (ILM) graduate curriculum in addition to Maine Maritime Academy’s on-campus Small Vessel Operations (SVO) program requirements. GLVO students participate in hands-on maritime education and training that may include laboratories, simulators, vessel operations, and off-campus field experiences.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the M.S. in Maritime Management will be able to:

  1. Apply strategic, analytical, and leadership skills to complex business and maritime management challenges.
  2. Integrate financial, operational, and logistical knowledge to support effective organizational performance.
  3. Apply critical thinking and data-driven decision-making in diverse professional contexts.
  4. Demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, and professional competencies in global business and maritime environments.
  5. Evaluate and adapt to emerging trends and challenges in maritime, logistics, and related business industries.

Online Graduate Core Curriculum – 18 Credit Hours

The six core courses provide a foundation in accounting, finance, economics, organizational management, marketing, and strategic decision-making. Each course carries three graduate credit hours.

  • Accounting for Managers
  • Finance for Global Managers
  • Organization Development and Managing Change
  • Strategic Marketing for Managers
  • Economics for Management Decision Making
  • BA509 Strategic Management (Capstone)

BA509 Strategic Management must be completed as the final course in the program. Students must earn a minimum grade of B- in BA509 to satisfy the capstone requirement and complete the degree.

Concentrations

International Logistics Management (ILM) – Online

The International Logistics Management concentration provides advanced study in logistics, transportation, supply chain management, and international business operations.

Program Requirements

  • 30 total graduate credits
    • 18 core credits
    • 12 concentration credits
      • Four concentration courses, 3 credits each
  • Concentration Courses
    • BA511   Fundamentals of Logistics
    • BA513   Integrated International Logistics
    • BA515   Port & Transport Terminal Operations in Global Logistics
    • BA517    Logistics Information Systems

 

Course Delivery

The ILM concentration is delivered fully online and asynchronously. Students may take one or two courses per nine-week session. A student following a full-time course sequence may complete the program in approximately 12 months. All students must complete the program within four years of initial enrollment, subject to applicable academic policies.

Global Logistics and Vessel Operations (GLVO) – Hybrid

The Global Logistics and Vessel Operations (GLVO) concentration combines the online International Logistics Management (ILM) graduate curriculum with Maine Maritime Academy’s undergraduate Small Vessel Operations (SVO) program requirements. The concentration is designed for students seeking graduate-level preparation in management and logistics together with specialized education and training in vessel operations.

Program Requirements

  • 72 total credit hours
    • 30 graduate credits
      • 18 core credits
      • 12 concentration credits
    • 42 undergraduate credits through the Small Vessel Operations program

 

Course Delivery

Graduate coursework is delivered online and may be completed at a rate of one or two courses per nine-week session. BA509 Strategic Management is the final graduate course.

Students may begin online graduate coursework before starting the on-campus portion of the program.

SVO courses begin in the fall and are completed on campus. SVO coursework may require specific course sequencing and includes classroom instruction, laboratories, simulators, vessel operations, and off-campus field experiences.

 

Small Vessel Operations

The Small Vessel Operations program provides education and training in areas including:

  • Nautical science and vessel operations
  • Small craft technology
  • Terrestrial navigation
  • Meteorology
  • Vessel handling and related maritime skills
  • Practical vessel and field experience

The program is designed to prepare qualified students to sit for the U.S. Coast Guard Mate, 200-Ton, Near Coastal credential examination. Successful completion of the examination and issuance of a U.S. Coast Guard credential are subject to individual student performance and fulfillment of all applicable U.S. Coast Guard requirements, including required sea service and other licensing requirements.

Students seeking a U.S. Coast Guard Mate credential must complete the applicable sea-service requirements established by the U.S. Coast Guard. Students seeking a Near Coastal endorsement must ensure their qualifying service includes the required Near Coastal service.

Students complete a required off-campus vessel experience following the first year of the SVO program, providing practical application of classroom, laboratory, and vessel operations training. Additional training options, including an Auxiliary Sail concentration, are available for students seeking further sail training and applicable endorsements.

Credit for Prior Learning

Course Exemptions

Certain students may be eligible for exemptions from graduate courses based on prior academic or professional education.

  • Students who hold a B.S. in International Business & Logistics from Maine Maritime Academy may receive exemptions from the following two graduate courses if they earned a minimum average of 3.2 in all LO-prefix courses:
      • BA511 Fundamentals of Logistics
      • BA513 Integrated International Logistics

 

  • Graduates of the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) Maritime Port Executive (MPE) or Inland Port Executive (IPE) programs may be eligible for an exemption from:
    • BA515 Port & Transport Terminal Operations in Global Logistics

Exempted courses satisfy the applicable program requirements. Students receiving an approved course exemption are not required to complete additional graduate coursework to replace the exempted course.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to six graduate credit hours from another accredited institution, subject to prior approval by the Graduate Program and applicable academic policies. Transfer coursework must meet Maine Maritime Academy’s requirements for graduate transfer credit, including a minimum grade of B.

Academic Standards and Program Completion

Students in the M.S. in Maritime Management program are subject to the academic policies and standards outlined in the Graduate Academic Policies section of this catalog.

In addition:

  • Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate grade point average.
  • Students may receive no more than two grades of C in graduate coursework.
  • Graduate credit is not awarded for grades below C.
  • BA509 Strategic Management must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.
  • Students must complete all program requirements within four years of initial enrollment.
  • Additional academic, registration, grading, withdrawal, probation, and degree-completion requirements are outlined in the Graduate Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Photo ID Requirement

Students enrolled in online or hybrid graduate programs are required to obtain a Maine Maritime Academy photo identification card. See the Online Learning section of this catalog for photo submission instructions and additional details.

Career Opportunities

The M.S. in Maritime Management prepares graduates for leadership and management positions across maritime, logistics, transportation, supply chain, and related industries.

Potential career opportunities include:

International Logistics Management

  • Logistics Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Transportation Manager
  • Distribution or Warehouse Manager
  • Procurement Manager
  • Inventory Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Import/Export Specialist
  • Freight Forwarding and Transportation Management

Global Logistics and Vessel Operations

  • Maritime Operations Manager
  • Vessel Operations Manager
  • Marine Business Manager or Owner
  • Port and Terminal Management
  • Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Operations and Transportation Management
  • Management positions within tugboat, ferry, excursion, research, and other small-vessel operations

Unique Features and Learning Opportunities

The M.S. in Maritime Management offers:

  • Flexible, asynchronous online graduate education through the ILM concentration
  • A hybrid graduate and undergraduate maritime education option through GLVO
  • Applied learning in international logistics, maritime operations, and business strategy
  • Access to maritime simulators, laboratories, vessels, and field-based learning opportunities through the GLVO concentration
  • Faculty with academic credentials and professional industry experience
  • Opportunities to integrate graduate management education with professional maritime education and training
  • Preparation for professional advancement across maritime, logistics, transportation, and related industries

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