Potential applicants who do not have a prior graduate degree or the requisite marine experience to qualify for study toward the M.M.A. degree may make application for the degree of Master of Arts in Marine Affairs. This academic degree counterpart to the professional M.M.A. degree is a two-year, 45-credit thesis program. In this program, students acquire knowledge and analytical skills through required and elective courses.

The thesis track M.A.M.A requires writing a defending an in-depth research activity.

The non-thesis track M.A.M.A. requires writing a major paper and passing a comprehensive examination.

Candidates for the M.A. in Marine Affairs take 18 required course credits (six courses). Additionally, a minimum of 21 credits (seven courses) is earned in elective courses. This program of study enables a student to specialize in a given area and still receive the multidisciplinary influence of the M.M.A. program. A six-credit master’s thesis of an inter-disciplinary nature (or major paper plus comprehensive exam, depending on student track) completes the program of study.

The “core” of the MAMA graduate program consists of the following six courses:

MAF 482 – Quantitative Methods in Marine Affairs

MAF 502 – Research Methods in Marine Affairs

MAF 511 – Marine Science and Ocean Uses

MAF 577 – International Ocean Law

MAF 651 – Marine Affairs Seminar

REN 514 or ERE 465 – Economics of Marine Resources

For the University of Rhode Island Catalog go to www.uri.edu/catalog

For more information on MAF application process, see: https://web.uri.edu/maf/how-do-i-apply-to-maf/