Master of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University

The Maritime Studies is a Master degree offered by East Carolina University at its main campus in Greenville , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 2 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from August 21, 2027.

About Master of Maritime Studies

Are you searching for an academic program that combines a love of oceanic exploration, ships and sea faring history, and the archaeology of shipwrecks? Would you enjoy being trained in hands-on underwater data collection, the management of submerged or recovered artifacts, deep sea diving, and the study of naval history?

From very humble beginnings in 1981, the maritime studies program at East Carolina University has blossomed into one of the world's leading academic underwater archaeology programs. It is characterized by hands-on underwater training, primary document historical research, and other practical skills such as remote sensing and grant writing. These skills provide the type of training eagerly sought by employers. Since its inception, the program has graduated 201 MA students in this field, with an overall graduation rate of 71 percent. A very large percentage of our graduates go on to get jobs in the field as archaeologists, contract archaeologists, government cultural resource managers, museum archeologists, curators, museum directors, national and state park staff, conservators, and teachers at all levels.

Qualified students enjoy extensive university support in the form of graduate assistantships and scholarships. These positions supply both teaching and research experience. Yet we don't just rely on the classroom. The program in Maritime Studies takes pride in the fact that we take theory into the real world and practice it in the field. In the program, exciting careers are not an accident, they are the result of planning, introspection, training, and last but not least, field experience.

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Graduate Program Director /Coordinator for Maritime History: Nathan Richards (100 Eller House; 252-328-1968; [email protected])

The Maritime Studies, MA was established in 1981 with a unique combination of disciplines. Students can study both maritime history and nautical archaeology while concentrating on a single historical period, regional area, or thematic interest. Students can study a combination of courses in maritime history, nautical archaeology, or conservation under the aegis of a single program.

The Maritime Studies, MA requires a total of 36 s.h. of course work. The student must take 12 s.h. of core HIST courses and between 12-15 hours of electives in history and maritime archaeology that support the student's thesis research. Research skills requirements account for 3-6 semester hours, based on a list of approved courses maintained by the graduate director. Examples include courses in quantitative history (HIST 5950, HIST 5951), geographical information systems (GEOG 6401), scientific diving (COAS 6000), or an approved graduate-level language course.

Students must complete a written thesis. A public thesis defense is held to establish how their manuscript contributes to their area of study, and includes an oral comprehensive examination where the student must demonstrate their knowledge of their field of concentration. Thesis hours account for a minimum of 6 semester hours.

The degree requires a minimum of 36 s.h. as follows:

I. Core courses - 12 s.h.

HIST 5530 - Field School in Maritime History and Underwater Research
HIST 6805 - History and Theory of Maritime Archaeology
HIST 6820 - Maritime Archaeological Field Methods
HIST 6900 - Historiography: Introduction to Research

II. Electives - 12-15 s.h.

The program coordinator and student select history (HIST) electives that support the student's thesis research.

III. Research skills requirement - 3-6 s.h.

Courses are selected based on advising. These courses could include geography (GEOG) or quantitative history (HIST). A language course for credit may be taken if approved by the program coordinator. A selection of approved research skills is maintained by the graduate director.

IV. Thesis - 6 s.h.

An oral comprehensive examination will be a component of the thesis defense. Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge of their field of study as well as establish how their thesis contributes to that field of study.

HIST 7000 - Thesis

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Maritime Studies

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

Careers not found.

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University

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Master of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville