U.S. Coast Guard Academy - Marine Engineering & Architecture Education

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering; Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; Government; Management; ORCA Education at USCGA

us coast guard academy

Founded in 1876, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut is a professional college educating future United States Coast Guard officers. It is a fully resident military cadet campus and the smallest United States federal service academy.

The Academy provides a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program, with the curriculum heavily oriented toward math, science, and engineering. Like the other U.S. federal service academies, the students receive a full scholarship and the graduates serve in the military for at least five years after graduation.

However, unlike the other service academies, there are no congressional appointments - admission is based solely on nationwide competition.

The Coast Guard Academy has a proud tradition as one of the most selective colleges in America. Students come to the Academy to be challenged academically, physically, and professionally.

By providing excellent academic programs, a structured military regimen, and competitive athletics, the Academy graduates competent and professional military leaders who serve their country and humanity with honor as Coast Guard officers.

uscga campus

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Civil and Environmental Engineering: The Civil Engineering program prepares future officers to design, build, operate and maintain structures and systems that help the Coast Guard work and solve real world problems.
Electrical Engineering: Electrical Engineering is a cutting-edge major that prepares future officers for exciting careers with a focus on addressing critical technological needs.
Cyber Systems: The major prepares future officers to defend against cyber attacks, protect information and systems, and deter crime.
Mechanical Engineering: The Mechanical Engineering major develops each student’s ability to apply scientific principles in the design and analysis of mechanical and energy/power systems.
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering: The NA&ME major provides a strong foundation in engineering, mathematics and the sciences, focused on the design, operation and repair of ships and boats.
Operations Research and Data Analytics: The ORDA major emphasizes the practical application of mathematics, statistics and computer techniques to analyze complex issues and provide informed solutions.
Marine and Environmental Sciences: The MES major integrates oceanography, chemistry and biology to study the complex relationships between humans and the land, oceans and atmosphere.
Management: The Management major educates students in the broad array of functional skills and analytical processes required of today’s leaders and managers.
Government: The government major develops leaders who can think critically about political systems and societies and understand their cultural, historical and theoretical underpinnings.

Professional Maritime Studies

The following courses are part of the core academic curriculum of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in preparation for your first Coast Guard job as a commissioned officer. Cadets take a semester of nautical science each academic year.

Fundamentals of Navigation
Ship and Maritime Systems Knowledge
Applications in Navigation Lab
The Maritime Watch Officer
100 Ton Master License
Selected Topics in Professional Maritime Studies (Elective)
Projects in Professional Maritime Studies (Elective)
Directed Studies in Professional Maritime Studies (Elective)

CG Graduate Programs

Acquisitions Systems
Aeronautical Engineering Avionics Project Management
Aeronautical Engineering Industrial Administration
Aeronautical Engineering Structures
Aviation Safety Systems
C4IT Strategic Management
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering MBA
Contract Management
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Power
Systems & Controls
Emergency Management
Environmental Management
Financial Management
Fire Protection Engineering
Homeland Security
Human Resources Management
Human Systems Integration
Industrial Engineering
Industrial Hygiene
Information Assurance
Information Operations & Cyber Intelligence
Information Technology Management
International Affairs Policy
Law
Marine Affairs/Living Marine Resources
Marine Engineering
Marine Science (Oceanography)
Mechanical Engineering
Naval Engineering
Ocean Engineering
Operations Research
Organizational Leadership
Performance Technology
Public Administration
Public Affairs
Strategic Intelligence
Surface Safety Systems
Transportation Management

USCGA Features

The Coast Guard Academy is more than a great place to learn and grow; it's a great place to live. The region has a long tradition of embracing the sea, the military and higher education. The campus is on the waterfront, set upon rolling hills with meticulously manicured grounds. The living environment is secure, supportive and regimented, in the best tradition of the US service academies. The Coast Guard Academy provides an atmosphere of closeness and inter-reliance that befits the humanitarian mission and commitment to service above self.

Campus Location: The US Coast Guard Academy is situated on a classic New England college campus
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering majors are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The Management major has been accepted into candidacy status by the American Association of Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB).
Undergraduate Major Areas: Academy graduates select from eight majors: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Government, Management, Marine and Environmental Science and Operations Research and Computer Analysis
Honors Internships: The program accepts students from all fields who exhibit a dedication to extracurricular endeavors, an interest in cultural issues and a strong commitment to community service. Most importantly, those selected must demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and be effective communicators in order to convey what they learned in Poland to their peers at the Academy.
Pay: All cadets receive pay totaling $11,150 per year. Cadet pay is furnished by the government for uniforms, equipment, textbooks, and other expenses incidental to training. These funds cover all official expenses and are used only as directed by the Superintendent. Each cadet receives a portion of his or her monthly pay for personal expenses. Any funds remaining in cadets' accounts are given to them upon graduation or departure from the Academy.
Obligation: Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, there is a five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned Coast Guard officer. Approximately 80% of Academy graduates go to sea after graduation, although some go to marine safety offices, ashore operations, or flight training.
Tuition: No tuition fees for US citizens.
Further Study & Service Commitment: 80% of graduates go to graduate school (most paid for by the Coast Guard) and 85% of graduates choose to serve beyond their five-year commitment
Accomplishments (other): Two graduates are NASA astronauts

LAST UPDATED ON Jul 28, 2023