Academics at Kings Point
Courses Of Study
Midshipmen select their major course of study from among five programs:
Emphasizing marine engineering design
Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management
Managing shipyards and large engineering endeavors
Focused on shipboard engineering operations
Combining nautical science and maritime business management
Maritime Logistics and Security
Combining nautical science and logistics and security management
Keys to Academic Success
The Academy challenges its midshipmen intellectually and physically. The academic program is demanding, the regimental system rigorous. Freshman (fourth class or plebe) year is particularly academically strenuous as students make the transition from high school graduate to Academy midshipman. In their first few months, they learn many new terms, the quality of endurance, how to perform under pressure, and most importantly, how to successfully manage time.
Sea Year Training
At the end of the fourth class year in late June, half of the students will go to sea for one term, return for residential courses for the second term of their third class year, then return to sea for the third term plus the first term of their second class year. They will return to campus for the second trimester of the second class year and remain on campus through graduation.
The other half of the class will remain in residence for the first trimester of the third class year, will go to sea for the second trimester and return to campus for the third trimester. Then they will go to sea for the second and third trimesters of their second class year, return for the first trimester of their first class year and remain on campus until graduation.
Licensing
In the last trimester of first class year, midshipmen take a comprehensive written examination, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, for their licenses as merchant marine officers. Those who have selected the Marine Transportation major or the Logistics and Intermodal Transportation major receive training in nautical science to prepare for the third mate (deck officer) license examination. Marine Engineering, Marine Engineering Systems, and Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management majors receive marine engineering training to prepare for the third assistant engineer (engineering officer) license examination.