Degree Requirements

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Science or Associate of Science Degree from Maine Maritime Academy, a candidate must complete all courses of the major program, including specified elective courses, with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.00. Specific major programs may additionally require a grade point average of 2.25 in designated core courses in each program. In addition, candidates in the four majors leading to a US Coast Guard (USCG) unlimited license are required to successfully complete the professional USCG examination and satisfactorily participate in the Regiment of Midshipmen. (See below for 200 Ton License Exam Policy.)

The various major programs have differing credit requirements, which are described in detail in the Curricula section of this catalog. It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate completion of all requirements and to enroll in the prescribed courses. All degrees will be awarded through action of the Board of Trustees.

The graduation date appearing on the student transcript and diploma will be one of the following as applicable:

1. The scheduled commencement date for students who have completed all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester;
2. The day following the submission of a passing grade in the Junior Cruise (CR303) or other required summer co-op experience in the case of those seniors who have completed all other requirements;
3. The end of the fall semester for all other students. Students who graduate at this time will have their class standing based on and be considered part of the class graduating in the next scheduled spring commencement. This will not, however, preclude license-program students obtaining Coast Guard licenses upon completion of all degree requirements even if the graduation date occurs at a later time.

Valedictorian Selection Criteria

The title of valedictorian has long been used to designate an individual who has achieved the highest academic excellence. MMA will select one valedictorian annually. The following procedures ensure an acceptable degree of commonality in the selection of valedictorians.

The major considerations for selection of a college valedictorian are the factors which establish the student with the highest level of academic performance. All students in the graduating class will be evaluated for this honor. Calculation will be completed after the Fall semester grades are posted for the academic year of graduation.

The sole criterion used to select the valedictorian is the GPA earned at Maine Maritime Academy. Transfer students may be considered; in this case, all but 30 credits of the GPA must be calculated using MMA credits.

In the event that two or more students have an identical GPA, the following factors will be considered by the Provost in the selection of a college valedictorian:

1. Number and quality of transfer credit (if one of the students being considered has transfer credit).
2. Number of courses repeated.
3. Number of credits earned by examination, as well as level of achievement on such credits (i.e., CLEP scores).
4. Breadth of educational experience.

Degree Honors

Significant scholastic achievement in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science programs will be recognized by appropriate endorsement of the degree diploma in the following categories:

Summa Cum Laude:	3.75 – 4.00 GPA
Magna Cum Laude:	3.50 – 3.74 GPA
Cum Laude:	3.30 – 3.49 GPA

Mate Less Than 200 GRT License Exam

The Mate less than 200 GRT license exam is administered by Maine Maritime Academy in the spring semester of the sophomore year of the Small Vessel Operations (SVO) and Vessel Operations Technology (VOT) programs. Successful completion of this exam is a requirement for any student pursuing the Mate less than 200 GRT license.

Students are allowed three attempts to pass each module or three attempts of the same module of the exam during the spring exam cycle.  If a student fails three attempts at any one module or three modules, they must retake the entire exam. To retake the entire exam, the student will take the exam offered again the following year.

Before license application can be made to the USCG, all academic and STCW requirements of the 2-year SVO program must be completed, and the sea service requirement must be met. Per the USCG, students must obtain their Mate less than 200 GRT license within one year of program completion. Consistent with USCG policy, the STCW Office will not process a license application until all program requirements (coursework, co-op, etc.) for the two year SVO program are met, and 120 days of qualifying sea service are documented. Students are expected to meet all program requirements, including seatime, within one year of the Mate less than 200 GRT exam.

Requirements for the Mate less than 500/1600 GRT Ocean license include “sea service as master, mate or equivalent.” Therefore, students who anticipate seeking a higher license are strongly encouraged to complete the Mate less than 200 GRT exam and obtain the license.

A student may pursue the SVO Associate of Science degree, or the VOT Bachelor of Science degree, without completing the Mate less than 200 GRT license exam. The exam is required only for those who are pursuing the license.

Credit for Life Experience

“Life Experience Credit” is credit for learning that individuals have acquired that has not been transcribed as a result of completed coursework in a college or university. The experience is evaluated at MMA to determine whether it is comparable in rigor, content and outcomes with coursework taught at MMA. If such learning is deemed comparable, the student may receive credit for the experience.

Assessment of life experience is a process accomplished by assessment of a portfolio prepared by the student. Students who wish to make a case for life experience begin initially by contacting the Vice President for Academic Affair’s office. It is there that the screening process begins. If it is determined that the student is a candidate for life experience, the student is advised how to describe, organize and document his/her materials to create a case for life experience. Subsequently, the student makes an appointment with the appropriate Department Chair to discuss these materials. The Department Chair decides whether the student’s prior learning experience warrants referral and further consideration by a faculty evaluator.

For four-year students, a maximum of 16 credits may be earned in the life experience program; for two-year students a total of 8 credit hours may be earned for life experience. Credits may be applied toward an undergraduate degree or licensure. Upon approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the applicant’s transcript will be marked to show credit hours earned, with a notation that the credit hours were earned for life experience. A fee equivalent to one-half the regular charge per credit hour will be assessed for life experience credits. Note: These credits do not fill the residency requirements for the degree.

Study Abroad

The Academy has agreements with several other colleges and universities for study abroad. Students may inquire into this possibility from their respective Department Chairs through their advisors. Program possibilities vary from major to major. All such arrangements must be approved by the student’s major department and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Transfer Credits

To transfer academic credits to an undergraduate program, students who are applying for admission to the Academy, or those who are already enrolled at the Academy, must provide a copy of a student transcript or equivalent official record. They may be asked to provide a copy of the college catalog where the course(s) were taken and the name of the course textbook(s).

In accordance with federal regulations, Third Officer U.S. Coast Guard license students must be in training for a minimum of three years. Accordingly, except in unusual circumstances, transfer students or those expecting advanced placement in those majors must spend a minimum of this time in training. MMA does not accept outside STCW competencies or transfer credit for courses with STCW competencies for license students.

All transfer students must complete all of their respective departmental degree requirements, and, spend at least their last scheduled academic year at the Academy as full-time students in residence. This does not apply to students in the Maine Maritime Academy/Bath Iron Works apprentice program, the Small Craft Design, and the Small Craft Systems programs. In addition, candidates for the USCG Third Officer licenses must complete CD303  or CE303 (Junior Cruise) while enrolled at the Academy, unless this requirement is waived in writing by the appropriate Senior Training Officer and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A minimum of 50 percent of Business and Logistics credit hours required for the International Business and Logistics academic major must be earned at Maine Maritime Academy.

The following criteria must be met before credits can be transferred:

1. The course(s) must be relevant to the student’s major or elective program at Maine Maritime Academy and preferably equivalent to a specific undergraduate course.
2. For a course to be accepted for transfer credit, student performance must be equivalent to a grade of “C” or better from an accredited college or university, or from an approved military program (submit form DD-295, “Application for the Evaluation of Educational Experiences During Military Service”).
3. Transfer credits submitted from foreign colleges and universities will only be considered after they have been evaluated by a professional analyst. An Admissions Officer will provide assistance in identifying an analyst, but the student is responsible for all arrangements and related costs.

Credit for any course(s) taken at an accredited college or university may be transferred subject to items 1 and 2. However, these credits are not used in calculating the student’s GPA at the Academy, nor can these credits be used to by-pass the minimum residency requirement established by the Academy.

Any transfer of credit situations not covered in this policy will be determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs in consultation with the appropriate Department Chair.

Academic Year

The Academy’s academic year comprises three sessions: the fall semester extends from September through December, approximately; the spring semester January through April, approximately; and the summer session, May through August, approximately. For exact dates of the Academy’s annual calendar, contact the Office of the Registrar or visit mainemaritime.edu.