Vessel Operations and Technology

The Vessel Operations and Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students for positions of responsibility in the operation and management of a variety of private and commercial vessels. The program is organized in a two-plus-two format offering a two-year Associate of Science degree in Small Vessel Operations and a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Vessel Operations and Technology. U.S. Coast Guard licenses also are available.Four academic semesters, plus a cooperative work experience during the summer following the first year, lead to an Associate of Science degree. Four additional academic semesters plus two additional cooperative work experiences and a training cruise, lead to a Bachelor of Science degree.

A student completing the A.S. degree requirements and the appropriate cooperative work experience, and meeting the applicable USCG requirements, will receive a USCG license as mate of vessels not more than 200 tons, operating in near-coastal waters, up to 200 miles offshore, and an Able Seaman Limited certification. A comprehensive license exam, administered by MMA, is a requirement for receiving this license as well as a prerequisite for the 500/1600 ton license.

A student completing the B.S. degree requisites, two additional cooperative work experiences on appropriately-sized vessels, and a training cruise, and meeting the USCG requirements, may be eligible to sit for the USCG examination for a license as mate of vessels not more than 500 tons or 1600 tons (depending on their sea service), near coastal or oceans.

Participation in the Regiment of Midshipmen is optional when enrolled in this program. However, students electing to participate in First Year Cruise on the Training Ship State of Maine are subject to the Priority for Course Registration policy, must have been in the Regiment for the year and meet the following prerequisites: 4/C Maintenance; Ship’s Orientation; Ocean Survival (PE114), Fire Training, and NS101. In addition to meeting the college requirement for graduation with at least a 2.0 grade point average for the A.S. and B.S. degrees, graduating students are required to have a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in the VOT/SVO program core courses. For the VOT program, core courses are defined as courses with the prefix CO, CR, and NS.

The following table outlines the normal sequence of courses taken by students majoring in Vessel Operations and Technology / Small Vessel Operations.