Looking for a Masters Degree that will accelerate your career inside the service and in the civilian world?
At URI, we are experts at using GI Bill and other VA and Disability benefits. As a Top Ten Military Friendly University, we have hundreds of veterans and their families using benefits – inquire HERE!
Whether you are being funded by your service or looking to enhance your professional skill set by using the GI Bill or other funding, the MMA program is both high-impact and within reach for sea service professionals. At the University of Rhode Island, we work hand-in-hand with the sea services every year and understand where you’ve been and what you need to tackle the most important maritime challenges going forward. Partner with us to bring unparalleled expertise to the rest of your career endeavors.
How do the sea services support graduate education?
The sea services recognize the importance of graduate education in the program management and successful execution of their many maritime related missions and responsibilities. Accordingly, based on the needs of the individual services, graduate education opportunities are provided for high performing officers through an application and selection process.
How is MAF relevant for sea service officer careers?
The Master of Marine Affairs degree provides a solid foundation for career advancement from mid to senior grade sea service officers by providing skills and expertise in maritime policy, governance, management and research in order to fill the most critical assignments in the services. Officers completing the Master of Marine Affairs degree program have gone on to fill positions such as major operational commands, USCG District fisheries management assignments, and liaison officers to various federal agencies (e.g., Department of State). Several Master of Marine Affairs alums have risen to Flag rank. Examples include USCG District Command and USN Deputy Pacific Area Command.
How do I apply for support through the USCG?
The program manager for the Marine Affairs graduate degree program is the Chief, Office of Maritime Law Enforcement, Fisheries Enforcement Division, who manages the Marine Affairs/Living Marine Resources graduate school tabs. The CG Headquarters staff symbol is G-MLE-4 and the phone number is 202-372-2188. Each year, based on the projected needs of the service, the USCG publishes a list of graduate school opportunities and instructions for application. Once accepted for a Marine Affairs graduate program, the officer then applies to the URI Graduate School for acceptance into the Master of Marine Affairs program.
Can I count my military experience toward an MAF degree?
On a case-by-case basis, you may be able to count education received through your military career toward your MMA degree requirements, which could lower the total number of courses needed to complete the degree.
Is there an online/remote option for the MMA?
No, we do not offer an online MMA. At this time, students can only be enrolled in an online or in-residence program, not both at the same time. However, if you take online courses at URI before joining the MMA program, those credits can count toward your electives requirement for the MMA. URI also has a variety of Online Graduate Certificates and courses taken to fulfill the requirements of a certificate may also later count toward a graduate degree. Relevant online certificate offerings include: Fisheries Science, GIS and Geospatial Technologies, Ocean Policy and Science, Public Administration and Policy.
Who do I contact for more information?
USCG applicants can find more information about voluntary information HERE or contact the USCG MMA program manager (G-MLE-4) at 202-372-2188
For questions about the MMA program: Prof. Austin Becker (MAF Chair) or Prof. David Bidwell (MAF Grad Program Director)
For active duty finance or military tuition assistance questions: Colleen Amaral in URI Enrollment Services (colleen_amaral@uri.edu)
To talk to an MMA Alum, you can contact CAPT Dave Hill, USCG (Ret.) at 410-610-8721, (capt_hilll@uri.edu)
For other questions: Bob Flynn, Director, Military and Veteran Education (MAVE) at URI (bob.flynn@uri.edu)