Students enrolled in the marine program at Fletcher Technical Community College receive practical training that prepares them to apply for a variety of credentials and licenses with the U.S. Coast Guard, including radar operation, navigation and survival craft procedures. Many marine jobs require an employee to hold specific credentials before they are hired. The courses at Fletcher Technical Community College will prepare students to test for ship loading licenses, first-mate certification and port management. The programs focus on helping the students gain a thorough understanding of the material; the students are tested for competency before the license exams are issued.
The Marine Advanced Technology Education Center (MATE) offers different levels of education for students. Majoring in a program such as survival training can earn the student a certificate of completion, while other courses of study can earn students an associate's or undergraduate degree in the fields of aquaculture and hydrographic survey. Summer internships provide students with hands-on experiences. Students are placed in real-work situations both onshore and on the water, where they have to solve problems that can occur in the normal course of work.
For over 40 years, the focus of the Louisiana Technical College is to prepare students to test with the Coast Guard and to obtain Coast Guard licenses. The courses at Louisiana Technical College focus on the equipment that the Coast Guard uses, such as radar, weapons and rescue equipment. Students are taught the rescue techniques and boat boarding methods that the Coast Guard uses during maritime operations. In addition, the Louisiana Technical College offers renewal courses for Coast Guard members who need to renew parts of their license.
Maritime College is a part of the U.S. Navy, although active enlistment is not required with the Navy upon graduation for all students. The Maritime College is the first marine school in the country, and its focus is to prepare students for careers in the marine industry. Students can earn associate's and bachelor's degrees in various areas of study, including naval architecture, marine transportation, environmental sciences, engineering and international trade. The ship "Empire State VI" provides students with a place for hands-on training.