Photo of deck cadets in the Bridge SimulatorWelcome to the Marine Transportation Department. Our department offers a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, the largest degree program on the Cal Maritime campus. This is a program that can lead to an exciting and rewarding career in the U.S. merchant marine and related industries. Our job placement has been very close to 100% upon graduation even in the severe economic downturn of recent years.

Photo of deck cadets and instructor in a Fast Rescue BoatBecause of its well-known quality and popularity among prospective students, and the limited number of candidate slots, the California State University has declared the MT Degree an impacted program. This means that additional acceptance criteria may be required of the applicant over and above what is normally expected of most CSU students.

Graduation Requirements in the Catalog

Cadets in MT course

Department News

June 2023:

U.S. Training Ship Gifts Equipment to Maritime School
Cal Maritime has donated navigation and communication equipment to the National University of Samoa (NUS) School of Maritime via the The Training Ship Golden Bear  (TSGB) on its latest TSGB Summer Cruise stop, as part of the ongoing cooperation between the United States and Samoa in the field of maritime security and education. Read more here at the Samoa Observer. 


October 2021:

Today Show Interview with Captain Steve Browne
Cal Maritime faculty are often interviewed for their industry expertise.  Captain Steve Browne, Department Chair for Marine Transportation, shared his marine transportation insights regarding an oil spill off Southern California on the Today Show (time stamp: 1:40)


September 2021:

Master's Handbook on Ship's Business
Congratulations to Captain Tamara Burback, Associate Professor in the Marine Transportation Department, and Cal Maritime alum class of 2007, on her important industry publication, the fourth edition of the Master’s Handbook on Ship’s Business. The Cornell Press publication has been an asset to captains and port captains for over thirty years, and this updated edition will continue to support mariners on water and land for years to come.

Keelhauler Awards "Rejoice"
Congratulations to MT Professors Tamara Burback (Outstanding Teaching Award) and Bets McNie (Mission Achievement Award/Cadet Experience).  Both faculty members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to our campus community.  Check out the Employee Recognition website to learn more.  

Small Boat Day
View the "Small Boat Day video, an event held on Saturday, September 18th and open to all Cal Maritime Cadets.  Per MT Faculty member, Fred Reiman, "while most [students] were from MT, students from all schools participated, [and] for many, this was their first opportunity to get behind the stick (or wheel) of a boat." 

Special thanks to Faculty: Fred Reiman, Michael Dybvik and Cadets: Nick Landon, Nick Stimble, Jack Reasoner, Sophie Scopazzi


August 2021:

Cal Maritime has officially received full-term certification for our Dynamic Positioning program through The Nautical Institute.  Per Dean Maier, "(w)e are the only US maritime academy that has the Nautical Institute certification thereby allowing our cadets that complete the induction course to move on to become certified DP Operators (DPO) on any vessel across the globe".  The Dynamic Positioning Induction course is accredited within the Marine Transportation program.  The Extended Learning program is accredited for both the Induction and Simulator Courses.  


July 2021:
Congratulations to Cal Maritime Alum Rear Adm. Daniel Dwyer on his promotion to lead the US Navy 2nd Fleet.  


June 2021: 
Congratulations to Kevin Calnan, MT Lecturer, on passing his Chief Mate's exam.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Tamara Burback, who recently earned tenure.  Professor Burback joined the Cal Maritime Marine Transportation faculty in 2015.  


April 2021: 
Sam Pearson III was published in the April edition of the Professional Mariner (page 43)The article outlines the use of e-learning to improve proficiency with navigation rules.  


December 2020:
Congratulations and well wishes to Professor Daniel Weinstock, who recently retired after 25 years of teaching at Cal Maritime.  Much gratitude and appreciation for his many years of service to the school, cadets and maritime programs.


November 2020:
Professor Elizabeth McNie presented at the Maritime Education, Training, Research & Innovation (METRI) Summit as a panelist during Session 1: Automation and Digital Leadership.  


June 2020:
Congratulations to Professor Elizabeth McNie, who recently earned tenure. Professor McNie joined the Cal Maritime Marine Transportation faculty in 2017.