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<\/a>\u00a0are required to successfully complete the professional USCG examination and satisfactorily participate in the\u00a0Regiment of Midshipmen<\/a>. (See below for 200 Ton License Exam Policy.)<\/p>\n The various major programs have differing credit requirements, which are described in detail in the\u00a0Curricula<\/a> section of this catalog.\u00a0It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate completion of all requirements and to enroll in the prescribed courses.\u00a0All degrees will be awarded through action of the Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n The graduation date appearing on the student transcript and diploma will be one of the following as applicable:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n Significant scholastic achievement in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science programs will be recognized by appropriate endorsement of the degree diploma in the following categories:<\/p>\n The Mate less than 200 Gross Registered Ton (GRT) license exam is administered by Maine Maritime Academy as part of NS298 and NS299 in 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.<\/p>\n Before license application can be made to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), all academic and STCW requirements of the 2-year SVO program must be completed, and the sea service requirements, including recency, for the license must be met.<\/p>\n Mariners must have at least 3 months (90 days) of required service on vessels of appropriate tonnage within the 3 years (1080 days) immediately preceding the date of application. [46 CFR 11.201 (C)(1)(i)]<\/p>\n Requirements for the Mate less than 500\/1600 GRT Near Coastal\/Oceans licenses include \u201csea service as master, mate or equivalent.\u201d Therefore, students who anticipate seeking a higher license are strongly encouraged to successfully complete the Mate less than 200 GRT exam and obtain the license.<\/p>\n A student may pursue the SVO Associate of Science degree, or the VOT Bachelor of Science degree, without successful completion the Mate less than 200 GRT license exam. Successful completion of the exam is required only for those who are pursuing the Mate less than 200 GRT license.<\/p>\n \u201cLife Experience Credit\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019s prior learning experience warrants referral and further consideration by a faculty evaluator.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s major department and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.<\/p>\n To transfer academic credits to an MMA graduate or undergraduate program, current and prospective students must provide the Registrar with an official transcript (or equivalent official record) from the institution that awarded the original academic credits. Students may be asked to provide: (a) the course syllabus, (b) course catalog description, and\/or (c) assigned textbooks or reading list, if needed to establish course-level learning-outcomes equivalency. If the student is requesting transfer credits from an approved military program, the student must submit an official Joint Services Transcript.<\/p>\n Transfer credits may not amount to more than 50 percent of the total number of credit hours required for the student\u2019s undergraduate academic major at MMA.<\/p>\n Graduate students may transfer up to 2 classes (amounting to no more than\u00a06 credits) with the approval of the Registrar and the department chair of the relevant program.<\/p>\n MMA does not accept STCW competency assessments completed by other institutions or organizations. Students enrolled in USCG license programs must complete all degree requirements with embedded STCW assessments at MMA.<\/p>\n The following criteria must be met before credits can be transferred:<\/p>\n Transfer credits are not used in calculating the student\u2019s core or cumulative GPAs.<\/p>\n MMA may award academic credit for scores on Advanced Placement or CLEP examinations, based on official score reports received directly from the testing agency. Minimum score thresholds and course equivalencies are established by academic departments and maintained by the Registrar.<\/p>\n Transfer credits submitted from foreign colleges and universities will only be considered after an approved credential-evaluation service has evaluated them.\u00a0An admissions officer or the Registrar may aid in identifying a service provider, but the student is responsible for all arrangements and related costs.<\/p>\n Upon the student\u2019s request, the Registrar will provide a written explanation stating which specific criterion above was not met for any course for which transfer credit is denied. Any matter related to transfer credits not addressed by this policy will be evaluated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs in consultation with the Registrar and the appropriate department chair.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0For exact dates of the Academy’s annual calendar, contact the Office of the Registrar or visit\u00a0mainemaritime.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
Valedictorian Selection Criteria<\/h3>\n
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Degree Honors<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n Summa Cum Laude:<\/td>\n 3.75 – 4.00 GPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Magna Cum Laude:<\/td>\n 3.50 – 3.74 GPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cum Laude:<\/td>\n 3.30 – 3.49 GPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Mate Less Than 200 GRT License Exam<\/h3>\n
Credit for Life Experience<\/h3>\n
Study Abroad<\/h3>\n
Transfer Credits<\/h3>\n
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Academic Year<\/h3>\n