California State University – Maritime Academy (CMA, Cal Maritime, CSUM, CSU Maritime) in Vallejo, CA was founded in 1929 to train merchant marines. The unique and specialized academy began granting bachelors degrees in 1940, making it one of only seven degree-granting maritime academies in the United States and the only one on the West Coast. It has been a member of the California State University system since 1996 and claims the highest job placement rates in the CSU system with starting salaries well above the national average.
Mission/Vision
The mission of CMA is to “be a leading educational institution, recognized for excellence in the business, engineering, operations, and policy of the transportation and related industries of the Pacific Rim and beyond.” Academic programs at CMA are designed with a focus on intellectual learning, applied technology, leadership development, and global awareness.
Campus Setting
California Maritime Academy’s campus is located on the waterfront in Vallejo, CA about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco. Undergraduate students who are unmarried and under the age of 24 are required to live on campus. All CMA students participate in at least one two-month training cruise aboard the academy’s 500-foot training ship Golden Bear.
Academics
A nautical-oriented core curriculum is the basis of all of California Maritime Academy’s degree programs. Currently CMA offers six undergraduate degrees and one graduate degree program. Undergraduate degrees offered include Bachelor of Science degrees in Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering Technology, Facilities Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and International Business and Logistics, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs.
Currently the only graduate degree offered by CMA is a Master of Science in Transportation & Engineering Management which is offered completely online in a cohort model.
Athletics
Cal Maritime teams, known as the Keelhaulers, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and primarily compete in the California Pacific Conference (CalPac). Men’s sports include basketball, crew, cross country, golf, rugby, sailing, soccer and water polo; while women’s sports include basketball, crew, cross country, sailing, and water polo.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Annual tuition at California Maritime Academy is very affordable for in-state students and is still in the affordable range for out-of-state students, even as a public school. Additional costs include books, housing, and transportation (if living off campus). Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans is available for qualified students. Please refer to the school’s website for the most up-to-date tuition and financial aid information.
Accreditation
California Maritime Academy is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Specialized accreditation is granted to CSUM’s engineering programs by ABET and its business program through the International Association of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Admissions
Admissions to California Maritime Academy are competitive. Applications are received between October and November for the following year.
All applicants should meet the following minimum requirements: Qualifying CSU Eligibility Index score for your major, “C” grade or better in each of the required college prep courses for your major, and a minimum 2.0 overall GPA. In addition applicants must submit a completed online application, the $55.00 application fee, an SAT or ACT score (most applicants).
For more information about admissions to California Maritime Academy contact the school directly at:
admission@csum.edu
Admission Office
Cal Maritime
200 Maritime Academy Dr.
Vallejo, CA 94590
Phone: 707-654-1330
Fax: 707-654-1336
