The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are committed to serving the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. With 95 percent of the world's products transported over water, these leaders are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport in peace and war. Academy graduates abide by the motto: “Acta Non Verba," or "Deeds Not Words," and are leaders that exemplify the concept of service-above-self.

Known for its rigorous academic program, USMMA requires more credit hours for a baccalaureate degree than any other federal service academy. This challenging coursework is augmented by the Academy’s Sea Year experience, which allows midshipmen to acquire hands-on, real-world experiences aboard working commercial or military vessels sailing to ports around the world. Midshipmen who master this demanding curriculum earn a unique combination of credentials:

• A highly-regarded Bachelor of Science degree
• A U.S. Coast Guard license
• An officer’s commission in the U.S. Armed Forces