California State University Maritime Academy

What is the history of California State University Maritime Academy?

California State University Maritime Academy, commonly known as Cal Maritime, was established in 1929 as the California Nautical School. The school's primary mission was to offer practical and theoretical instruction in navigation, seamanship, steam engines, gas engines, and electricity, preparing young men to serve as officers in the American Merchant Marine. The institution was founded following the signing of California State Assembly Bill No. 253 by Governor C. C. Young, which authorized the creation of the school, the appointment of a Board of Governors, and the acquisition of a training vessel.

By 1930, a training vessel and a school site were acquired, and the original location of what would become California Maritime Academy was California City (now Tiburon, California) in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, the early days of the Academy were marked by financial uncertainty due to the Great Depression. As early as 1933, some state legislators were calling for the school's abolition. To save money, both cadets and instructors lived and held classes aboard the training vessel, the T.S. California State. It was only after the passage of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 that the funding for the Academy stabilized.

During the 1930s and 1940s, students participated in various sporting events, including baseball, crew, basketball, and boxing. Crew was the school's main attraction, even when whaleboats (monomoys) were used instead of racing shells. In 1943, the school moved to Vallejo after a one-year stint at the San Francisco Ferry Building, and its athletic program also relocated to the new location. Mayo Hall, completed in 1946, was the first permanent structure built at Cal Maritime.

In the 1950s and 60s, Cal Maritime's basketball team, known as the Seawolves, competed as an extramural sport. Water polo was introduced as an intercollegiate sport in August of 1951, and by the mid-50s, it was the only team that competed against other Bay Area colleges (Cal, UC Davis, and San Francisco State). During this time, the university's basketball and baseball teams typically played against other military squads rather than college teams.

California State University Maritime Academy adopted coeducation in 1973, and its 67-acre campus is located on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, 30 miles from San Francisco. The university offers six different Bachelor's degrees and one Master's degree, but no Doctoral degrees. The campus experience includes an annual training cruise aboard the 500-foot Training Ship Golden Bear, which serves as a floating classroom/laboratory where classroom concepts in marine transportation, engineering, and technology are practiced and applied. School-sponsored, study-abroad trips provide those studying international business, logistics, maritime security, and maritime policy with first-hand exposure to those practices in locations around the world.

In May 2012, Rear Admiral Thomas A.

What are the faculties and departments at California State University Maritime Academy?

California State University Maritime Academy offers undergraduate degrees in six distinct majors, providing a diverse range of educational opportunities for prospective students. These majors include international business and logistics, facilities engineering technology, global studies and maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, marine transportation, and mechanical engineering. The university's commitment to excellence in the business, engineering, operations, and policy of the transportation industries of the Pacific Rim and beyond makes it a top choice for students interested in these fields.

One of the departments at California State University Maritime Academy is the Maritime Policy and Management Department, which focuses on developing students' written and oral communication, critical thinking skills, and providing a practical balance of theoretical knowledge, experiential learning, strong ethical values, and global leadership skills. This department plays a crucial role in preparing students for success in their chosen careers.

The university is known for its excellent faculty, supportive small school atmosphere, and high post-graduation rate of immediate employment. As the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast, California State University Maritime Academy offers a unique educational experience with a small, structured, and focused campus that provides a high-quality practical education.

It is important to note that the university is restricted to students who wish to study Global Studies and International Business with a demonstrated interest in maritime affairs. Applicants may be subject to an interview on Skype, and impacted and restricted subject areas are subject to change at any time. Prospective students should carefully consider their interests and goals when choosing California State University Maritime Academy as their educational institution.

What is the location of California State University Maritime Academy?

California State University Maritime Academy is situated in Vallejo, a small city with a population of 120,000 in the West region of the United States. The campus is located at 200 Maritime Academy Drive, with the ZIP Code 94590. Positioned on a 92-acre waterfront property on the edge of San Francisco Bay, the academy offers a scenic and unique environment for students who wish to study in a coastal setting.

The campus is approximately 30 miles from San Francisco, making it easily accessible by road and close to major cities. The nearest airport to the university is Oakland International, which further adds to the convenience for students traveling to and from the campus.

What is the mission and vision of California State University Maritime Academy?

California State University Maritime Academy's mission is centered around providing students with a comprehensive college education that encompasses intellectual learning, applied technology, leadership development, and global awareness. The university's primary goal is to produce highly qualified licensed officers and other personnel for the merchant marine and national maritime industries. Furthermore, it aims to offer continuing education opportunities for those involved in transportation and related sectors, as well as serve as an information and technology resource center for these industries.

The vision of California State University Maritime Academy is to become a leading educational institution, renowned for its excellence in the business, engineering, operations, and policy aspects of the transportation and related industries across the Pacific Rim and beyond. The university emphasizes experiential learning, personal and professional ethics development, a small residential campus environment, student-centered learning, professional orientation, and a focused niche in higher education. Additionally, the institution values campus civility, collegiality, and a diverse living and learning community. The guiding values that shape the university's decision-making processes and interactions with internal and external stakeholders include dedication, honor, integrity, respect, responsibility, and trust.

California State University Maritime Academy is committed to providing students with a top-notch education that prepares them for successful careers in the maritime and transportation sectors. The Academy aims to remain at the cutting edge of these industries by offering innovative programs and services, as well as collaborating closely with industry partners to ensure that its graduates are well-equipped to face future challenges. In pursuit of its vision, the Academy has organized itself into three schools: Maritime Transportation and Logistics Management, Engineering, and Letters and Sciences. These schools offer a diverse range of educational opportunities for prospective students.

What is the accreditation of California State University Maritime Academy?

California State University Maritime Academy holds accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, ensuring the institution meets high standards of quality and rigor. Additionally, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program has received accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, further demonstrating the program's excellence.

Since 1973, the institution has been a candidate for accreditation, and it first achieved this status in 1977. Prospective students can be confident in the Marine Transportation program, as it fully complies with the International Convention of the Standards for Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1995 (STCW), as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. This compliance ensures that graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in the maritime industry.

In 2021, the Nautical Institute granted accreditation to the Dynamic Positioning Induction course, which is part of the Marine Transportation program at California State University Maritime Academy. This accreditation highlights the institution's commitment to providing high-quality education and training for its students, preparing them for successful careers in the maritime field.