Deck Officer Program
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy 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. Graduates are fully compliant with STCW International Quality Standards. The four-year curriculum awards a Bachelor of Science Degree in Maritime Technology. For those entering with a bachelor's degree, an accelerated three-year program also awards the bachelor's degree.
Cadets in the Deck Officer Program complete three sea projects (internships) while completing their academic curriculum.
Articulation Agreements:
Deck Officer Curriculum Guides:
- Three-year color-coded curriculum guide (for ease of identifying types of courses)
- This curriculum is available to those with a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Three-year Deck Officer Catalog
- This curriculum is available to those with a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Four-year color-coded curriculum guide (for ease of identifying types of courses)
- Four-year Deck Officer Catalog
Deck Officer Program Requirements
Course Descriptions
Tuition and Fees
|
Residency Status |
Tuition Rate |
|---|---|
|
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition |
$536.00 per credit hour |
|
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition |
$536.00 per credit hour |
|
Out-of-state Tuition |
$536.00 per credit hour |
|
Maritime Program Fee |
$500.00 per semester (excludes Summer Semester) |
|
General Fee for all residencies for Maritime courses |
$24.00 per contact hour |
Cost of Attendance
Costs |
In-District |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuition and Fees |
$14,084 |
$16,086 |
$17,220 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
|
Living Expenses: On-Campus Housing and Food |
$10,200 |
$10,200 |
$10,200 |
|
Transportation |
$1,000 |
$2,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Federal Student Loan Fees |
$120 |
$120 |
$120 |
|
$27,154 |
$30,156 |
$32,290 |
NOTE: Students enrolled in NMC bachelor degree programs like the Deck Officer Program may be eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which offers up to $27,500 over five years (up to $5,500 per year). All students who fill out the FAFSA are automatically considered for the scholarship.
View our deck officer program gallery
Want to know what it's like to be a Deck Officer Cadet? Take a look at our gallery to get an up-close look.
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travel the globe
Looking to go somewhere for a change of scenery? See where other cadets and alumni have been by checking out our map.
“I have visited 47 countries since 2003 with extensive sightseeing in many.... I'm sitting in an Internet Cafe near Athens Greece as I type this. It′s a beautiful day and Greece is one of my favorite places to visit. Of course going to Antarctica and Australia were definitely incredible experiences as well... among many others.”
DAVID BROVONT
2003 Great Lakes Maritime Academy graduate, Deck Officer program