Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) - Merchant Marine Training

Merchant Marine Deck & Engineering Officer Programs and Degree Programs in Maritime Technology at Michigan Maritime Academy, Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City

Located on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) or Michigan Maritime Academy will prepare you for the challenge of operating commercial ships as a deck or engineering officer. A core maritime curriculum for students who enter the Academy with a Bachelor's degree is also available.

Upon completion of all requirements, you are prepared to write the US Coast Guard examination for licensing as deck or engineering officers.

At Michigan Maritime Academy, you'll learn seamanship, navigation and piloting or steam and diesel engineering with up to 276 days of sea time. The training ship State of Michigan is used daily as a floating classroom, a hands-on learning environment and sets sail several times a year to reinforce skills taught shore side. Upon graduation, you’ll discover exceptional employment opportunities and salaries.

Founded in 1951, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is a community college located at Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan. NMC serves more than 50,000 learners annually. NMC offers associate degrees and professional certificates, and bachelor's degrees through the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.

Apart from these programs, the University Center offers bachelors, graduate and doctoral degree programs through its partner universities. NMC's extensive Extended Education program offers a wide array of non-credit classes to more than 10,000 local residents annually.

Maritime Programs

• BS in Maritime Technology - Deck Officer Program: The program prepares students for the challenge of operating commercial ships of unlimited tonnage on the Great Lakes and oceans as merchant marine officers and business professionals. Deck officers train to become pilots and mates, navigating ships through open waters and narrow harbors - ships which may stretch to one thousand feet in length. Deck Officers manage the deck department and oversee loading and discharging of Cargo, and are responsible for the ship’s business. All qualified deck cadets write the U.S. Coast Guard examination for licensing as a Third Mate Great Lakes and any Oceans Unlimited Tonnage and First Class Great Lakes Pilot. Cadets in the Deck Officer Program complete three sea projects (internships) while completing their academic curriculum.
• BS in Maritime Technology - Engineering Officer Program: The program prepares students for the challenge of operating commercial ships of any horsepower, steam or diesel, on the Great Lakes and oceans as merchant marine officers. Engineering officers are responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of engines and support machinery aboard ship. The vessel may be diesel powered with multiple engines or turbine powered operating on high pressure steam, capable of generating thousands of horsepower. All qualified engineering cadets write the U.S. Coast Guard examination for licensing as a Third Assistant Engineer, Steam and Motor Vessels of any Horsepower. Cadets in the Engineering Officer Program also complete three sea projects (internships) while completing their academic curriculum.
• BS in Maritime Technology - U.S. Naval Reserve, Strategic Sealift Midshipmen Program: Combine the best attributes of a commercial sailing career with the opportunity to serve our country in times of Peace, War, and National Emergency as a Strategic Sealift Officer. Start at Great Lakes Maritime Academy here in Traverse City, where you will receive a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Maritime Technology and commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. As a student you may receive Student Incentive Pay (SIP) to help pay for your degree.
• Sea Projects: Maritime cadets complete three semesters at sea, known as Sea Projects. Maritime cadets complete essential sea time aboard the Training Ship State of Michigan and up to 300 days aboard the commercial vessels of the Great Lakes and oceans. During these internships, cadets learn the duties and responsibilities of an Officer aboard ship, shipboard operations and experience life aboard ship.

Other Programs

• BS in Power Systems: The Power Systems Program is designed to prepare individuals for the maintenance and power production industries such as power plants, hospitals, industrial plants, and manufacturing plants. Students also have hands-on experience through labs and internships for practical training that is beneficial to the application and understanding of the career path they have chosen.

Continuing Education Programs

• One-Day Radar Recertification
• Two-Day Radar Refresher
• Five Day Radar Observer – Unlimited
• Able Seaman (AB) & Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC-Lifeboat)
• Fast Rescue Boat (FRB

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) is more than a college experience: As the state maritime academy of Michigan, The college educates and trains the finest deck and engineering officers available to the commercial shipping industry.The Academy also prepares college students to become merchant marine officers and business professionals in the global marketplace. The training ship State of Michigan is utilized daily as a floating classroom and hands-on learning environment. The ship set sail at various times throughout the academic year to reinforce the skills taught shoreside. As cadets progress through the Academy, they learn industry first hand by completing essential sea time aboard commercial ships of the Great Lakes and oceans.

• Campus Location: Michigan Maritime Academy is located on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan.
• Accreditation: Graduates are fully compliant with STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). The college is approved by the U.S. Maritime Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Michigan Department of Education.
• Undergraduate Major Areas: Maritime Technology, Maritime Engineering Technology, Power Systems and Business Administration
• Educational Partners: As part of Northwestern Michigan College, the Academy holds its classes in Traverse City, Michigan. With the partnership of Ferris State University, cadets simultaneously earn their maritime credentials and a bachelor's degree in business administration. This combination enables graduates to better compete for management level positions in any area of employment.
• Co-ops/Internships: Students have opportunities for hands-on experience through labs, internships and sea projects apart from on board sea training.
• The Shipboard Training Program: The training ship State of Michigan is utilized daily as a floating classroom and hands-on learning environment.
• Marine Facilities: Michigan Maritime Academy is home to the 224-foot former Navy submarine surveillance ship Persistent, which is now T/S State of Michigan. The vessel is relatively new, having been built in 1986 as part of a series of 18 Stalwart-class T-AGOS vessels designed to tow highly sensitive sonar arrays for the tracking of Soviet submarines. As the Soviet threat diminished in the 1990s, the Navy decided to decommission the T-AGOS fleet, and in 1998 Persistent and sister ship Vindicator were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard for primary use in drug interdiction. Apart from the above, GLMA has a 41-foot utility boat, a 56-foot aluminum hull twin-engine research vessel, and 45-f00t vessel the Anchor Bay
• Cadet Housing: Living arrangements at are at the discretion of the cadet, unless you are under 20 years of age. This group of cadets will be required to live one year in a residence hall. Cadets over 20 years of age may also request to live in a residence hall or campus apartment if you desire. Living on campus promotes group study among the cadets. Many of the cadets choose the convenience of on-campus housing at Northwestern Michigan College. NMC has both residence hall and apartment living options.

LAST UPDATED ON Sep 5, 2023