The Professional Mariner degree prepares students for careers in the maritime industry in Southern California and around the world in private or commercial vessel operations: large private yachts, charter yachts, cruise ships, passenger ferries, sport fishing, commercial fishing, whale watching, dive boats, supply vessels, work boats, tug boats, and commercial shipping. These vessels must operate with qualified crew so the curriculum for the Orange Coast College Professional Mariner program was developed with guidance from an Advisory Council of maritime industry professionals who ranked skills and knowledge that they require in their deck crew. Upon completion of the program, there are employment opportunities with competitive salary.

Students must be able to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes. Previous boating experience is advantageous but not required. Facility fees will be charged.

Program Outcomes

1. Communicate verbally and in writing in a clear manner and with correct nautical protocol.
2. Identify maritime career paths along with required U.S. Coast Guard licensing requirements.
3. Demonstrate safe operation and maintenance of vessels.
4. Demonstrate prevention and safety response in First Aid, Personal Survival and Social Responsibility at sea, as well as fire prevention and response.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements

1. UNIT REQUIREMENT - 60 UNITS, with at least a 2.0 grade point average. At least 12 of the units must be earned at OCC, with a minimum of one course taken for a letter grade. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the program must be completed at OCC. A student must be enrolled at the time of application for graduation. Units earned at an accredited college or university on a credit/no credit basis will be counted toward the degree requirements of the college, to a maximum of 15 units.
2. MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AS major requirements.
3. MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT - Demonstrate competence in mathematics by either obtaining a satisfactory grade (grade of “C” or better or“pass”) in a mathematics course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra as demonstrated by prior coursework, or by demonstrating competency that is comparable through the completion of a college-level math course that has Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite: Psychology A160 or Math A100 or higher, with the exception of Math A220.
4. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AS GE), Option 2 (CSU GE), or Option 3 (IGETC) to satisfy the general education requirement. See the General Education Patterns section of this catalog for more information.

Professional Mariner Suggested Electives:

Any Foreign Language course
Any Marine Science or Oceanography course
FN A185 Cultural Foods
MARA A210 USCG License Exam Preparation
MATH A170 Precalculus
MATH A180 Calculus 1

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.