What to Know About Naval Architecture and the Merchant Marine Academy

I'm interested in studying naval architecture after high school, and I heard the Merchant Marine Academy offers related programs. Can anyone share more about what this academy offers in terms of curriculum and opportunities in naval architecture?

Sure, I'd love to help shed some light on the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and their marine engineering options, especially those related to Naval Architecture.

USMMA is one of the five federal service academies. Students at the academy are midshipmen who are trained in marine engineering, navigation, ship's administration, maritime law, personnel management, international law, and customs, as well as many other subjects relevant to the tasks they will perform in the Merchant Marine or the Armed Forces.

In terms of naval architecture, the academy has a major called Marine Engineering Systems (MES) which seems to align with your interests. This program concentrates on the engineering systems that propel and control marine vessels and the systems that make life aboard those vessels possible. You'll learn about propulsion systems, environmental systems, and electrical power systems. If you're specifically interested in ship design and construction – the main aspects of naval architecture – the MES curriculum is ideal.

Also, USMMA is situated in Kings Point, New York, which puts it near many maritime companies, shipyards, and design bureaus, offering numerous opportunities for internships and cooperative education experiences in naval architecture.

Students who graduate from the USMMA earn a Bachelor of Science degree, a U.S. Coast Guard license, and a commission as an officer in one of the Armed Forces. This opens up a lot of career paths in both the civil and military sectors where naval architecture comes into play, such as ship design, marine equipment design, and marine consulting.

Remember that like at any federal service academy, you will be required to fulfill a service obligation after graduation. This can be served as an officer on U.S. flagged merchant ships, as a commissioned officer in a military branch, or a combination of the two. Therefore, if you truly want to study naval architecture, you should be prepared and motivated to commit to the service component as well.

Between the educational curriculum and the post-graduation opportunities, the USMMA can be an excellent option for students interested in naval architecture. Just bear in mind that these service academies can be quite competitive, so it's good to have a comprehensive and strong high school profile.