UPDATED 12/3/2007

Admissions

MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY seeks academically qualified and motivated students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering Operations, Marine Engineering Technology, Marine Systems Engineering, Marine Transportation, Small Vessel Operations, Power Engineering Operations, Power Engineering Technology, Marine Science, Marine Biology, International Business and Logistics, Interdisciplinary Studies; or an associate’s degree in Small Craft Design, Small Vessel Systems, or Small Vessel Operations. Applicants shall demonstrate ability and potential through their academic transcripts, extracurricular activities or work recommendations, and standardized tests.

The Academy offers Early Decision on admission and financial aid for applicants who have completed the application process by December 20. This applies only to students entering in the fall semester. Early Decision candidates must sign a statement indicating that MMA is the only college to which they are applying for Early Decision, and that if accepted, they will enroll.

All other applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee beginning in the late fall. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as the entering class may be filled prior to the application deadline of May 30.

Applications may be obtained from the Director of Admissions, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine 04420-5000, by calling 1-800-464-6565 in Maine or 1-800-227-8465 out-of-state or by e-mail at admissions@mma.edu. Visit the Admissions site at www.mainemaritime.edu to download an application or apply on-line. A non-refundable fee of $15 is required when the application is mailed.

As early as possible after an application has been made, the following items must be forwarded to the Director of Admissions:

1.         A secondary school transcript through the first marking period of the senior year.

2.         A letter of recommendation from the principal or guidance counselor of the last secondary school attended.

3.         Results of either the College Entrance Examination Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT). Applicants taking the SAT or ACT after Fall 2004 are required to take the Writing portion of the respective exam. Prospective students who took the SAT or ACT prior to Spring 2005 are exempt from this requirement. These exams should be taken as early as possible in the senior year.

Minimum academic requirements for undergraduate admissions consideration include:
 

Offer of Admission

All offers of admissions are extended with the understanding that records of academic achievement and personal conduct will remain at least at the same level as when the application for admission was reviewed. Maine Maritime Academy reserves the right to rescind any offer of admission if it is determined that subsequent academic performance and/or personal behavior are deemed substandard or unacceptable.

Fraudulent Reporting

Applicants must provide accurate and complete information on all application documents. Intentional omission or falsification of information during the application process will result in the immediate rejection of the application. Application misrepresentation includes, but is not limited to: (1) false, omitted, or misleading information on the application, medical or immunization forms, financial aid disclosures, or during the personal interview, (2) fake, forged, or altered transcripts, standardized test scores, or letters of recommendation.

Interview

A personal interview is highly recommended as part of the admissions process. The absence of an interview may, in fact, be a determining factor in the final decision. Admissions Office personnel are available by appointment for interviews and college tours Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Maine Maritime reserves the right to solicit confidential opinions from secondary school officials concerning a student’s potential for success at MMA, both in the classroom and in our unique social environment.

Interviews may be scheduled at various locations throughout the northeast during late fall and early winter, depending on the Admissions representative's travel schedule. Phone interviews are available, as well.

Visiting

Appointments to visit the college should be scheduled well in advance. With prior notice, the Admissions Office will provide on-campus overnight accommodations without charge for the applicant and his or her family. Call for further details.

Open houses are also scheduled at the Academy during the academic year. Information regarding these events may be obtained from the Academy's home page http://www.mainemaritime.edu or through the Admissions Office.

Transfer Students

Transfer students will be considered for advanced standing on the quality of their credentials. Applicants must present an official transcript of work completed at accredited colleges or universities; only courses with grades of C or better will be considered for transfer. Courses with a grade of less than C will be reviewed by the appropriate department chair. It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate that performance in such courses is equivalent to a grade of C in a similar undergraduate course at Maine Maritime. The amount of transfer credit awarded will depend on the application of the courses to MMA’s curriculum and will be evaluated by the Admissions and Registrar’s Offices.

Applicants for transfer should submit the following: an application for admission, a letter indicating interest in transfer, a non-refundable $15 application fee, a certified transcript of all grades received at institutions of higher education, a letter of recommendation from the dean of students of the last institution attended, and a complete record of secondary school work, including the most recent SAT or ACT scores. Maine Maritime reserves the right to solicit confidential opinions from school officials concerning a student's potential for success at MMA, both in the classroom and in our unique social environment.

Please note that it is usually not possible to satisfy the unique academic requirements of the bachelor of science program in less than three years at Maine Maritime. Transfer students are urged to have an interview with the Director of Admissions. Visits or telephone interviews should be planned for weekdays.

For more information on transferring credits, see the Degree Requirements information in the Academic Program section.

International Applicants

In addition to completing the Maine Maritime application, international students must have all non-U.S. diplomas, certificates, licenses, and transcripts evaluated by an approved clearinghouse. This clearinghouse verifies international transcripts for:

1. authenticity
2. grade and course equivalency
3. transfer credits awarded

Maine Maritime recognizes the following evaluation service providers:

Globe Language Services, Inc.
Evaluation Service
319 Broadway
New York, NY  10007
phone:  (800) 446-6228
fax:  (212) 693-1489

- and -

World Education Service
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
phone:  (212) 966-6311
fax:  (212) 739-6100

An application for evaluation is available through their respective on-line service. This service does require a fee. The fee varies depending on which service you choose and what type of evaluation you request. Maine Maritime requests prospective international students do an undergraduate course-by-course breakdown of credits, a calculation of credit hours, and a verification of authenticity.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=69c0197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) http://www.ielts.org is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English.

Minimum TOEFL score required for admissions consideration: 550 on the paper-based test (PBT), 215 on the computer-based test (CBT), or an 80 on the internet-based test (IBT).

In lieu of the TOEFL, a student may submit the IELTS. Only the academic format is acceptable and a minimum score of 6.5 is required.

The TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant is currently enrolled in full-time studies in the United States and will have completed two academic years of coursework in the United States immediately prior to enrolling at Maine Maritime.

The TOEFL/IELTS requirement is waived for non-native English-speaking applicants who have received an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction.

International applicants must certify that sufficient funding is available to cover MMA fees, books, supplies, tuition and living expenses for the entire duration of their enrollment. A letter of sponsorship or an officially certified or notarized bank statement must indicate that the candidate has sufficient funds to study at Maine Maritime. Submit documentation of financial support to the Director of Admissions. Unfortunately, international students are ineligible for any form of federal financial assistance while enrolled.

Advanced Placement and CLEP

The college grants credit for appropriate courses through the Advanced Placement Examination of the College Entrance Examination Board. Transfer credit may also be obtained through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Certified Birth Certificates

Prior to arriving on campus, accepted candidates must submit a certified copy of their birth certificate with raised seal. This may be obtained from the town or city clerk of birthplace or from the respective state division of vital statistics.

Social Security Number

Maine Maritime Academy has a strong commitment to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of student records and will not disclose the Social Security Number (SSN) for any purpose without the expressed written consent of the student, except as mandated by law.

Applicants are not required to include their Social Security Number on the application for admission but voluntary submission will minimize delays associated with other requested services within our campus administration. The number is used for (1) verifying student records, (2) identifying the student for purpose of financial aid eligibility, disbursement of financial aid loans, and other debts payable to the institution, (3) compliance with state and federal reporting requirements, (4) U.S. Coast Guard licensing, (5) background checks for security sensitive co-operatives, and (6) citizenship related documents.

Physical Examination

A physical examination is required for all applicants for admission. Medical forms are sent to the student upon receipt of an application for admission. The examination should be conducted by the applicant’s family physician, and the completed medical forms returned by the physician to the Director of Admissions. These results will be reviewed initially by the College’s physician. Applicants who are unable to satisfy these physical requirements may appeal to the Director of Admissions.

Immunization

Please refer to Student Health section in the Student Life chapter.

Personal Computing Requirement

All entering students are required to bring a laptop computer. Prior to enrolling, students will be provided with information regarding the specifications for their computers and any purchase/lease plans that may be available.

Applicants for U. S. Coast Guard License

Applicants for the U.S. Coast Guard unlimited license program as a Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer must meet the requirements governing physical condition, citizenship, and prior preparation. These requirements cannot be waived unless special permission is obtained from the appropriate federal office or agency.

Except by special condition, applicants desiring a US Coast Guard license must meet the following requirements:

1. Students must be a high school graduate or must have earned an equivalency certificate.

2. Students must be a citizen of the United States.

3.  Applicants must meet the physical requirements established by the United States Coast Guard for an unrestricted license as a ship’s officer. They are as follows:
       Height: no limitation prescribed
       Weight: proportional to height and age
       Vision/Mate: For an original license as mate the applicant must have correctable vision to at least 20/40 in each eye and uncorrected vision of at least 20/200 in each eye. The color sense must be determined to be satisfactory when tested by any of the following methods:
       a.    Pseudoisochromatic Plates (Dvorine, 2nd edition: AOC; revised edition or AOC-ERR; Ishihara 16-, 24-, or 38- plate editions)
       b.    Eldridge-Green Color Perception Lantern
       c.    Farnsworth Lantern
       d.    Keystone Orthoscope
       e.    Keystone Telebinocular
       f.     SAMCTT (School of Aviation Medicine Color Threshold Tester)
       g.    Titmus Optical Vision Tester
       h.    Williams Lantern
       Vision/Engineer: For an original license as engineer, the applicant must have correctable vision of at least 20/50 in each eye and uncorrected vision of at least 20/200 in each eye. Applicants need only to have the ability to distinguish the colors red, green, blue, and yellow. A waiver will be required for those students seeking a USCG license whose vision is between 20/200 and 20/800. Questions concerning the waiver process should be directed to the Academy’s Director of Health Services at (207) 326-2295.
       General Health: Applicants for the license programs must be free of any disease or constitutional defect that would compromise shipboard safety while at sea. Contact the Academy’s Student Health Services Office for clarification of specific disorders that may disqualify a student from a license program.

Applicants who applied for an NROTC scholarship or for admission to a service academy may request the Department of Defense Medical Review Board to forward a copy of their complete physical examination report to Maine Maritime Academy. The student should advise the Maine Maritime Academy Admissions Office that a physical report will be forwarded. In rare cases, candidates accepted for NROTC scholarships may not be fully qualified for the maritime license program.

**Applicants accepted into a USCG license program will be required to complete another physical examination on campus during his/her senior year prior to taking the USCG exam. Should this subsequent examination show physical deficiencies below the standards established for a license, the student may not be allowed to sit for the exam and may be required to change his or her major to a non-license program.

Drug Testing

All students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs at Maine Maritime Academy are required to participate in the random drug testing program. Maine Maritime Academy complies with Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations 16.230 mandating periodic, random, pre-employment, post-incident, and reasonable cause drug testing for all students and employees whose position require this testing. All students and employees, who act as part of the crew of any Academy vessel, both documented and undocumented, shall be subject to the policy. Federal law requires periodic or random drug testing of students prior to training cruises, cadet shipping, or taking of a US Coast Guard physical examination. All students who are enrolled in a curriculum leading to a US Coast Guard license are automatically subject to random drug testing without notice. Additionally, since drug testing and “zero-tolerance” policies have become a fact of life in the industries in which most of our students will be working, as co-op students and as employees, it is the Academy’s policy that any student pursuing an Academy Cooperative Education Experience (COOP) must participate in the random and pre-employment drug testing program. Additionally, any students who are in a disciplinary status for any violation of our drug or drug testing policies may be subject to increased random drug testing.  

Readmission Policy

All former students who have resigned, been disenrolled, or not been enrolled for two consecutive academic semesters, and who wish to apply for readmission, must submit an application for readmission and a non-refundable $15 fee to the Director of Admissions. The application will be considered by the Academic Board sitting as a Board of Readmission. An application for readmission can be found at www.admissions.mainemaritime.edu.

Favorable consideration will be based upon evaluation of the reasons for previous separation, evidence of improved academic standing, improved conduct, and increased personal maturity. Admissions authorized by the Academic Board will be subject to space being available in the class for which admission is sought.

Students may be readmitted to the Academy at the start of the fall semester, the spring semester, annual training cruise, cadet shipping, or co-operative. An application for readmission must be completed by the following dates for consideration:

•   Fall semester - July 1
•   Spring semester - November 1
•   Training cruise - March 1

The application must be accompanied by such additional information as required by the Director of Admissions to establish justification for favorable consideration. Applying for readmission requires:

1. a completed application for readmission and $15 fee prior to the deadlines stated above;

2. a typed resume to include a description of what you have done during your absence.
   Include: employment, schools attended, courses taken, and a statement for why you wish to return to MMA;

3. two (2) letters of recommendation from MMA faculty members and/or administrators;

4. a letter of recommendation from a recent employer;

5. an official transcript from each school attended since last enrolled at MMA;

6. written proof from MMA chief financial officer stating that you are in satisfactory financial standing with the college.

Students seeking readmission will be required to personally appear before the Readmission Board at the time your application is reviewed. Once your application is complete, the Director of Admissions will contact you with specific arrangements concerning your interview with the board.

MMA will try to meet the returning students course selection requests. However, pre-registration by currently enrolled students may result in desired courses being at capacity.

• NOTE: All students must submit an updated physical examination as a criterion for readmission. Depending on how long you have been out of school, you may be required to have additional immunizations. Should you have additional questions regarding your immunizations, e-mail smcdonald@mma.edu. You must satisfy all physical and immunization requirements prior to registration.

A $100 deposit is required of all returning students to reserve their position in the class. Failure to notify the Director of Admissions by the appropriate date may result in loss of place.

In cases of a negative decision, applicants may submit a written appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within ten days of notification. The request should stipulate the basis for appeal.

Students who resign from the Marine Maritime Academy/Bath Iron Works Associate Degree programs may apply for readmittance to the program only by contacting the Director of Admissions at Maine Maritime Academy. The application must include a supporting endorsement from the Industry Site Director. A student who has continued to take Academy-administered courses as a requirement for participation in Bath Iron Works Corporation’s apprentice training program may, upon readmission to the program, request recognition of grades received while in a disenrolled status.  Retroactive recognition will be granted for courses completed in the year preceding the request.

Special Circumstances

• Former students who have received their undergraduate degree at MMA and now wish to pursue a second undergraduate degree at MMA should apply using the readmission application. To be a candidate for a second undergraduate degree, a student must have the recommendation of the department chair of the major.

• Students seeking readmission who wish to change their major may indicate the desired new major on the application for readmission. If approved, this procedure eliminates the need for the student to complete a Change of Major request after enrollment.

• Students who have attended other institutions of higher learning since their last enrollment at MMA must have an official transcript from each institution attended submitted directly to the Director of Admissions. These transcripts must be received and satisfactory performance must be indicated before approval for registration will be granted. Failure to report any schools attended will result in your application not being accepted. In cases where the courses are in progress and transcripts will not be available in time, a progress report from the course instructor(s) must be submitted. If readmitted, a student will not necessarily be awarded transfer credit work taken at another institution after dismissal from MMA.

• Co-op students on an official work term and also taking courses at MMA are not required to apply for readmission if they withdraw from all courses during the work term. Their enrollment status is retained as a co-op student at work.

• Students who have been dismissed as a consequence of disciplinary infractions may only be readmitted after a period of documented exemplary good conduct. Students who have been dismissed for academic failure will be considered only upon evidence of improved academic potential. As a matter of general policy, a student who has resigned rather than face a disciplinary hearing for an infraction of student regulations will not be considered for readmission.

Leave of Absence

Students may be granted a leave of absence for financial or personal reasons not related to academic or disciplinary issues. A leave of absence for a specific period of time -- not to exceed one year -- will be granted by the Registrar upon the endorsement of the Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dean of Student Services, or the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Requests to return from a Leave of Absence http://admissions.mainemaritime.edu/readmitapp.php can be made through the Director of Admissions. Students may return to MMA at the start of the fall semester, the spring semester, annual training cruise, cadet shipping, or co-operative. The request to return must be completed by the following dates for consideration:

• Fall semester - July 1
• Spring semester - November 1
• Training cruise/Cooperative - March 1

If an LOA expires (extends beyond one year), you must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. Be aware that this situation may impact your academic class standing and graduation requirements. Contact the Director of Admissions for further details.

Administrative Dismissal

From time to time, a student fails to comply with an administrative requirement of the Academy. Such requirements include, but are not limited to, financial obligations, required documentation for medical needs, or necessary immigration documentation. Failure to comply with such administrative requirements may be cause for dismissal by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance/Administrative/Governmental Affairs, Dean of Student Services or their designee. A student so dismissed may appeal that dismissal to the President.

Such an appeal must be made in writing within three work days of notification of dismissal and include a clearly stated rationale for appeal. The President may choose not to consider the appeal, to hear the appeal with the student present, or grant the appeal outright. The President will respond to the appeal in writing within 10 working days, not counting days the President may not be on campus. There is no appeal of the President's decision.