Overview
- What it is
- a federal service academy whose graduates serve "as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces." The motto is "Acta Non Verba," or "Deeds Not Words"1. The Department of Transportation runs it2.
- Three credentials
- "A highly-regarded Bachelor of Science degree," "A U.S. Coast Guard license," and "An officer's commission in the U.S. Armed Forces"1.
- Workload
- "USMMA requires more credit hours for a baccalaureate degree than any other federal service academy"1. The academic year runs 11 months, from late July to late June, in three 13-week trimesters3.
- Location and campus
- Kings Point, Long Island, "about 20 miles east of New York City." The campus has 82 acres, 28 buildings, and "more than 100 vessels and small craft." The student-faculty ratio is 12:1 (USMMA Facts; page last updated March 2022).
- Students
- Students are midshipmen, together called the Regiment of Midshipmen4. Every U.S. citizen applicant also applies for appointment as a Midshipman in the Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program, U.S. Navy Reserve5.
- Class of 2029
- 281 plebe candidates reported on July 3, 2025, from 45 states and territories. Their average SAT was 632 Math and 632 Verbal2.
Mission
"To educate and graduate leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces."1
Small wording difference: the About page paraphrases it as leaders "who are committed to serve"2.
Majors and academics
- Five majors
- "Midshipmen select their major course of study from among five programs": Marine Transportation; Maritime Logistics and Security; Marine Engineering; Marine Engineering Systems (ABET-accredited); and Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management (ABET-accredited)12.
- Deck or engine track
- Deck-side majors prepare for the third mate license exam. The three engineering majors prepare for the third assistant engineer exam. Midshipmen take the U.S. Coast Guard license exam "in the last trimester of first class year"1. The same page also uses older major names ("Logistics and Intermodal Transportation," "Maritime Operations and Technology") that aren't among the five current programs. We go by the five-program list.
- Picking a major
- You list a tentative major when you apply, then "In the second trimester, you will be required to affirm your selection or choose another major"1.
- Core subjects
- mathematics, science, composition and literature, leadership and ethics, comparative literature and history, naval science, physical education and ship's medicine, an internship, and Sea Year1. Naval science courses are required in all four years3.
- Graduation requirements include
- a cumulative GPA of at least 2.000, passing the Coast Guard license exam, passing the Academy Physical Fitness Test, and applying for, and accepting if offered, a reserve commission1.
Athletics
- Varsity sports
- "19 varsity sports," plus intramurals and a Sailing Squadron (USMMA Facts; page last updated March 2022, so confirm the current count).
- Division and conference
- We didn't find an official usmma.edu page that states USMMA's NCAA division or conference, so we leave it out. Check the official athletics site, usmmasports.com.
Service commitment and branch options
USMMA has the most flexible obligation of the five academies. The About page says graduates can choose1:
- Option 1
- "work five years in the United States maritime industry with eight years of service as an officer in any reserve unit of the Armed Forces," or
- Option 2
- "five years on active duty in any of the nation's Armed Forces."
The service obligation contract that every U.S. citizen signs includes2:
- Keep a merchant marine officer license for at least six years after graduation.
- Apply for, and accept if offered, a reserve commission (Navy Reserve, including the Strategic Sealift Officer Program; Coast Guard Reserve; or any other Reserve or National Guard unit) for at least eight years.
- Serve at least five years in an approved occupation: a merchant marine officer on U.S.-documented or government vessels; a commissioned officer on active duty in an armed force or in NOAA; or an approved maritime-related job if seagoing work isn't available. Combinations are allowed.
- Report compliance to the Secretary of Transportation. Questions go to the Maritime Administration2.
Note: The About page summarizes the reserve requirement under Option 1 only. The contract lists the license and reserve terms for every graduate12. See both pages, or ask MARAD how active duty affects the reserve and license terms.
Summer program for high schoolers
- USMMA has no summer seminar. We found no USMMA summer seminar on any official page. USMMA offers campus visits instead1.
- Visit types: day visits, overnight visits, and briefing-and-tour visits. Day and overnight visits are for high school juniors, seniors, and college students. Meals cost $8 for a day visit and $24 for an overnight visit1.
- Visits are optional. We found no official statement that a visit affects admission. Check the visits page for current scheduling.