Ocean Careers

There are countless possibilities for a maritime-related career. Here we've begun to compile lists of career ideas and educational institutions that offer training in various ocean-related fields. If you have other ocean career ideas or schools that should be included, please contact us. For more information on ocean careers, visit the Sea Grant Marine Careers page.

Careers in Climate and Maritime-Related Fields

Maritime Academies

Maine Maritime Academy
Located on the coast in idyllic midcoast Maine, Maine Maritime Academy is a career-oriented college whose primary focus is on marine-related programs, preparing graduates for lifelong learning and leadership in maritime fields.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is one of the oldest maritime colleges in the U.S. The academy is located at the best strategic place for a maritime college and provides degrees such as marine engineering, marine safety and environmental protection, marine transportation etc. Some of the oldest and best maritime professionals serving the maritime industry are from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is one of the finest academies in the U.S for getting a naval architecture or ocean engineering degree. The academy has the finest technology and hi-tech support system to produce the best naval officers and engineers. The academy also has its own research facility which is also equipped with some of the best technologies in the marine world.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
The U.S Merchant Marine Academy is also almost a century old. Located near the famous city of New York, the U.S Merchant Marine Academy provides degrees in the field of marine engineering, marine transport, marine engineering systems, marine operation and technology, shipyard management etc. This is one academy which offers a large variety of courses in the field of merchant marine.

United States Coast Guard Academy
The United States Coast Guard Academy provides naval architecture and marine engineering courses. The course is so structured that it provides a strong educational base to both to the coast guard students and to those pursuing marine engineering and naval architecture.
 

Maritime-Centric Colleges & Universities

Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University's Marine Science Department is the largest undergraduate marine science program on the East Coast and one of the lead departments in CCU's Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies graduate program. Their marine science is an interdisciplinary field that employs aspects of biology, chemistry, geology, and physical oceanography/atmospheric science toward the study of the ocean environment. Lecture, laboratory, and field experiences are integrated to provide an outstanding and well-rounded academic program. Within marine science, students may choose to concentrate studies in Marine Biology, Coastal Geology, Marine Chemistry, Atmosphere/Ocean Dynamics or Marine Analytical Technology.

Duke University Nicholas School for the Environment
Duke’s Department of Marine Science and Conservation, a division of the prestigious Nicholas School of the Environment, provides a number of valuable educational and research opportunities. The department gathers together one of the largest marine science communities in the U.S., regularly drawing noted influencers in the field. Many students from the U.S. and around the world come to Duke to spend just a single semester at the Department’s world-class Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina.

Florida Institute of Technology
The Florida Institute of Technology provides several courses related to marine and environmental systems. Courses of study include: coastal zone management, environmental sciences, ocean engineering, and marine science. Most of the programs offer BS, MS and doctoral degrees.

Maritime College – State University of New York (SUNY)
SUNY's Maritime College has been rated one of the top maritime colleges in the United States. They have their own 565-foot training ship Empire State VI aboard which students travel to different parts of the world, gathering hands-on experience and sea time in the process. Maritime College offers  degrees in Engineering (Marine, Mechanical, Electrical and Facilities), Naval Architecture, Marine Transportation/ Business Administration; Ship Management and Maritime & Port Security, Maritime Studies, Marine Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Meteorology, Oceanography, Humanities, International Transportation and Trade, and a Master's degree in International Transportation Management. Don't pass on The Maritime College: an exceptional choice if you are considering a career in a maritime field.

Texas A&M – University of Galveston
Texas A&M  provides an interdisciplinary education in marine propulsion and maritime related engineering. Courses provide a blend of marine and mechanical engineering to offer the finest knowledge and training to its students.

University of Maine School of Marine Sciences | Darling Marine Center
Darling marine center – The Marine Laboratory of the University of Maine
Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Maine is among the top 100 research schools in the U.S. Those that choose the Marine Biology track encounter interdisciplinary topics whose breadth combines the normal coursework of a B.S. in Biology with a special focus on marine species, plus input from chemistry, geology and oceanographic science.

University of New Orleans
School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department
The Department of naval architecture and marine engineering of the University of New Orleans provides Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and even Ph.D. in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering. The institute has the best laboratories for research and education.
 

From Traditional Boatbuilding to Yacht Design

The Apprenticeshop
The Apprenticeshop is one of the oldest traditional boat building schools in the country. Not only do their students learn the fine art of traditional small boat construction, but they become confident mariners as well, learning to sail on a variety of traditional and modern-rigged vessels.

International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS)
IYRS is dedicated to teaching highly technical and deeply craft-oriented career skills. IYRS currently has three accredited schools: School of Boatbuilding & Restoration, School of Marine Systems, and School of Composites Technology. The skills acquired in these programs are transferrable to other maritime industries and applications.

The Landing School
Located in southern Maine, the Landing School is a full-time post-secondary school blending education in modern yacht design, boat building and marine systems technology. The school icorporates diploma and Associate’s degree curriculums with concentrations in: Wooden Boat Building;
Composite Boat Building; Yacht Design; and Marine Systems.

MITEC School of Boatbuilding & Marine Engineering
The United Kingdom is one of the world’s preeminent boatbuilding countries. Located in Pembrokeshire in the south west of Wales, MITEC offers a number of vocational courses leading to careers in marine engineering and traditional or composite boatbuilding. If a career at sea is what you crave, MITEC also offer an Extended Diploma in Marine Engineering. 

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
The NSWB is committed to providing students a quality education in traditional and contemporary wooden boatbuilding and marine systems. They impart practical knowledge in traditional and contemporary maritime skills through an emphasis on hands-on learning.

Traditional Boatbuilding Skills Virtual Learning Environment
The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an online learning tool for traditional boatbuilding skills. It is a free resource of information compiled by four organizations across three European regions. The tools are simple, based on the skill that you're interested. There are more than 3,000 learning assets devoted to teaching traditional skills.
 

Ocean Schools