Corps of Cadets
The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies is the state’s premier marine and maritime destination, with internationally renowned faculty and programs tailored to your passion for the coast and sea. Located on Texas A&M’s island campus in a vibrant coastal community, you’ll have an ocean of possibilities at your doorstep.
U.S. Merchant Marine License Option
Cadets pursuing careers as merchant mariners must participate in License Option training. Depending on their degree program, they are either Deck or Engine cadets.
Deck Cadets are majors in Marine Transportation, Marine Sciences, Marine Biology, or any of the graduate programs. Deck Cadets take courses in navigation, seamanship and ship’s business. Upon graduation, deck cadets will have earned their Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage license signifying their ability to work on the bridge of any size ship as a Third Mate.
Engine Cadets are majors in Marine Engineering Technology. Engine Cadets take courses in naval architecture, marine applications of electrical engineering, and thermodynamics. Upon graduation, engine cadets will have earned their Third Assistant Engineer Unlimited Horsepower license signifying their ability to work in the engine room of any size ship as a Third Assistant Engineer.
All license option cadets must complete three sea terms, which normally take place in the summer months. The first and third sea terms are completed on board a training ship operated by Texas A&M Maritime Academy. The second may be either on a training ship or a commercial vessel.
Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program and Naval Reserves Officer Training Corps
The Strategic Sealift Officer Force provides warfare qualified Navy Reserve Restricted Line Officers with Unlimited Licenses and military training to activate, operate, and sustain strategic sealift to support Joint Force and Fleet requirements in contested maritime environments.
As a member of the NROTC/SSMP program, students learn firsthand the roles and missions of the Navy team. In addition, the focus on academics, leadership development, and personal fitness prepares students for success in a very dynamic and highly competitive work environment.
Students enrolled in SSMP may be eligible for a semesterly stipend totaling up to $64,000 in exchange for a minimum 8-year commitment in the Navy Reserves.
Drill & Ceremonies
Drill & Ceremonies cadets choose to join the Corps of Cadets. They elect to participate in the regimented lifestyle of the Corps to build comradery and grow through leadership experience. Cadets in the Drill & Ceremonies program participate without seeking a Coast Guard license or obligation of military service. These cadets may study any non-license option major.
Students who are looking to transfer or change campuses to College Station, may participate in the Galveston Corps of Cadets through this program.
WHERE YOU BELONG
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Join The Aggie FamilyCorps of Cadets Experience
Join cadet Alli DeYoung for a week in her life in the Texas A&M Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets!
Summer Sea Term
Through the Texas A&M Maritime Academy program, deck and engine license cadet candidates must accrue time at sea before they graduate. Time is earned during summer sea term journeys after freshman, sophomore and junior years. Cadets travel around the world gaining vital hands-on experience in operating a ship, dealing with port traffic, and build other crucial maritime skills.
Additional Training
Commercial Sea Term
Commercial Sea Term is an opportunity to sail aboard a commercial vessel, similar to an internship. This sea term would be in lieu of MART/MARE 300 and has a separate academic project tailored to the type of vessel on which the cadet sails. Cadets are selected for commercial opportunities through a competitive application process. Cadets not selected for a Commercial Sea Term will sail on the scheduled training ship for that Summer Sea Term.
Sea Service
Cadets not selected for a Commercial Sea Term still have the opportunity to sail aboard a commercial vessel and gain hands-on industry experience and sea service counting towards their license requirements. MART/MARE 484 affords cadets the chance to work with the school to get a commercial experience that will earn them sea service. Because this course does not complete the academic requirements of a Commercial Sea Term (MART/MARE 350), so cadets taking advantage of this opportunity do so in addition to the three foundational Sea Terms.
Aggieland by the Sea
We are located on Texas A&M’s Galveston Campus, a hub of marine, coastal and maritime excellence in the vibrant coastal community of Galveston, Texas. Here we have direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston and Galveston ports, shipping lanes, estuaries, and coastlines, which serve as our natural laboratories for hands-on learning, training and research.
Life in Galveston
The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies is in the historic city of Galveston on Pelican Island, home to Texas A&M University’s Galveston Campus. The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies is in the historic city of Galveston on Pelican Island, home to Texas A&M University’s Galveston Campus.