Once the sea starts to lose its allure, those working in the maritime industry will have another port where they can get more training for their voyages.
California Maritime Academy announced Monday it will launch its first master's degree program this fall.
The program will likely attract maritime industry workers who have spent years at sea and want to do something different to advance their careers, Cal-Maritime Director of Public Relations Doug Webster said.
"We believe it will be particularly attractive to individuals wanting to make a career transition from positions at sea to those ashore," added Cal Maritime Provost Gerald Jakubowski.
The Vallejo campus, one of 23 in the California State University system, now offers bachelor's degrees in international business and facilities engineering technology, global studies and maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, marine transportation and mechanical engineering.
Under the new program, Cal-Maritime also will offer a master of science degree in transportation and engineering management.
Applications will be accepted starting March 1. Some 22 students will be admitted to the first class starting this fall.
Classes will give students advanced instruction in business and management, combined with specialized courses so they can get ahead in their chosen field -- engineering, transportation or humanitarian/crisis management, according to the school.
In the making for several years, the new program was developed by Cal-Maritime's Departments of Engineering Technology and Marine Transportation and the ABS School of Maritime Police and Management with input from businesses, academic organizations and professional groups.
The courses will be offered online, and are designed to accommodate professionals juggling families and jobs who want to further their careers, officials said.
"One of the things that we've been hearing for some time is that we need to be able to hire people who have the ability at a mid-course time of their careers to get additional skills," Webster said.
To learn more about the program, including costs and admission requirements, visit www.csum.edu/grad.
Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at (707) 553-6832 or srohrs@timesheraldonline.com.