The world’s coastal regions have become incredibly popular places to live and visit. Our coasts and oceans are also immensely important ecologically and economically. Our coasts and oceans, however, are particularly vulnerable to overuse and climate changes. Consequently, we face major management issues locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The primary objective of the degrees in Marine Affairs is to educate students in the interdisciplinary analysis needed for effective marine and coastal management. Students will study and gain a solid foundation in issues confronting policymakers, environmental managers, and businesses at every governmental level. In addition, students develop an understanding of the environmental, socioeconomic, political, and legal effects of management decisions and their implications.
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- Visit Overview of Program Milestones to get a sense of the program requirements for each of these.
- Please also visit CELS Graduate Programs and How to Apply to MAF Programs for more details.
- Click here to begin the application process:
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Master of Arts in Marine Affairs (MAMA)
45 credit, thesis or major project track, Master of Arts degree (Learn more)
Master of Marine Affairs (MMA)
30 credit, non-thesis, professional degree for students with five years of ocean-related experience or a masters degree from a relevant field (Learn more)
MMA Dual Degrees
Dual degree programs provide opportunities for students to earn a Master of Marine Affairs, while simultaneously pursuing another graduate degree. MMA dual degree programs include:
- Roger Williams University Law School’s JD Program
- Rhode Island School of Design’s Master of Landscape Architecture Program
- URI Graduate School of Oceanography’s PhD Program
PhD in Marine Affairs
The Ph.D. program serves the needs of individuals who will be working in government, research institutes, consulting and academia (Learn more)
Graduate Certificate Programs
Students enrolled in MAF programs can easily earn one or more graduate certificates to complement their degree. Certificates that Marine Affairs students may wish to pursue include: