The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy‘s mission is “to educate and graduate licensed merchant mariners and leaders of exemplary character who will serve America’s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war.” For Midshipman First Class Brody Oakes, the chance to merge academics with shipboard experience is what sold him on the school — that, and the picturesque campus, which is set on a peninsula on the north shore of Long Island.
“We have the best backyard of any college, if you ask me,” Oakes notes.
All majors focus on the maritime industry, from marine transportation — a hybrid of nautical science and marine business management — to marine engineering and shipyard management.
[Discover these tuition-free colleges in the U.S.]
A big part of the experience is sea year: Midshipmen serve as deck or engine cadets aboard commercial, military or passenger vessels during two or more assignments that total over 300 days and are primarily spread across sophomore and junior years.
Oakes sailed as a crewman on a Maersk K-class container ship, helping keep the engines running. Stops at ports in countries like Spain, Dubai, Pakistan and India only enhanced the experience, he says.
This past summer, sea year came under a cloud as t he academy suspended it amid reports of sexual and other professional misconduct toward cadets, primarily by peers or other crewmen. The program has been reintroduced, although for now it will be conducted aboard military ships only.
The accrediting body responsible for the academy has also issued a warning, giving the USMMA two years to address academywide issues of sexual assault and harassment and governance. The school has instituted anti harassment training and prevention, as well as a confidential reporting system so students can seek help without triggering an official investigation.
Through a spokesperson, Rear Admiral James Helis, the USMMA superintendent, stressed to U.S. News that, “While there remains more work to do, we are committed to ensuring midshipmen training is conducted in an environment of safety, dignity, and respect.”
While at the USMMA, students must also participate in two- to six-week internships that focus on their specialty. For instance, a marine engineering and shipyard management major may opt to intern at a shipping company or port facility.
[Read how colleges are taking steps to prepare students for careers.]
Grads leave the academy with a Bachelor of Science degree, a Coast Guard license and an officer’s commission. They can satisfy their service obligation by working as licensed officers aboard U.S. flag vessels and spending eight years in a reserve unit of the nation’s armed forces.
Alternately, some 25 percent of graduates opt for five years of active duty in one of the armed forces or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, which operates NOAA’s ships and aircraft and aids in its research projects. Mids who decide to serve in the armed forces apply directly and, if offered a commission, will become an officer in that service. Oakes, who graduated in May, plans to work aboard an oil tanker.
Read on to find out what life is like at the rest of the five.
This story is excerpted from the U.S. News “Best Colleges 2017” guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.
More from U.S. News
Colleges That Claim to Meet Full Financial Need
A Spring College Admissions Offer May Be Worth Accepting
Save Money by Spending Less Time in College
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Offers Students a Route to Sea originally appeared on usnews.com
