FSU/NMC agreement benefits maritime students

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Officials from Ferris State University, Northwestern Michigan College and its Great Lakes Maritime Academy today signed an agreement that will make it easier for people to train for careers in the maritime industry.

The agreement allows students entering the Great Lakes Maritime Academy to enroll simultaneously in Ferris State University and earn credit toward a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.

The schools also have agreed to a substantial realignment of the courses required, reducing the total number of credit hours necessary to graduate. Previously, a cadet would have had to complete 163 credit hours in order to complete both programs. That was considerably higher than what would be required for a typical bachelor's degree. Now the cadets will take approximately 145 credit hours.

"This is a great example of two educational institutions coming together, compromising and working for the benefit of the students," said Dr. Nancy Reddy, Executive Director of Ferris State University of Northern Michigan.

"By eliminating courses that duplicated content, it is now possible for a cadet to graduate on time with additional financial aid," said John Berck, Admissions Officer at Great Lakes Maritime Academy. "That saves the cadet money, and enables them to enter the job force sooner."

The two schools have more closely aligned their admissions and financial aid to streamline the process for cadets.

"Demand for our graduates is so strong we can place every cadet in well-paying jobs immediately upon graduation," said RADM John Tanner, Superintendent of Great Lakes Maritime Academy. "This agreement will help cadets, the industry and the economy."

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is unique among other state maritime academies. Upon graduation, mariners are qualified to sail the Great Lakes or Oceans and are awarded both a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and their maritime credentials.

The Ferris State Business Administration program is intended to increase the career opportunities for graduates, preparing them for management positions with shipping companies, shipyards, ports, or with non-maritime businesses. Graduates will be uniquely qualified for management positions within the maritime industry, having both a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine officer's license and a background in business.

The Maritime Program is approved by the United States Maritime Administration, the United States Coast Guard, the Michigan Department of Education and is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Maritime Academy is located on the Great Lakes Campus of Northwestern Michigan College, 715 E. Front St. For information, call the Maritime Academy at (231) 995-1200, or visit www.nmc.edu/maritime .