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Maritime Technologies

Your future is waiting. Take the helm!

Due to a critical shortage of workers in Hampton Roads’ maritime and shipbuilding industries, high-paying careers are available across the region. Whether you’re interested in welding or occupational safety, a specialized, high-tech maritime education from Tidewater Community College will give you the experience and expertise needed by shipping and ship repair industries across the region. The program provides students with a comprehensive set of maritime industry-related skills that employers seek when selecting technicians for their industry. Graduates who have also completed a registered apprenticeship program will be prepared to apply for supervisory positions within the maritime industry or to pursue a career pathway to a university in a related program.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degrees

Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in CAD

Developed by TCC in collaboration with the region’s shipbuilding, industrial, and port-operations companies, the curriculum covers blueprint reading, computer-aided drafting and design, an introduction to ship systems, and industrial safety.
Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Electrical

Build a skill set for troubleshooting, maintaining and installing, supervising, and electrical equipment and systems aboard ships.

Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Inside Machinist

Learn to fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools and maintain industrial machines in the maritime field, applying knowledge of mechanics and machining procedures.

Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Mechanical

Train to care of several tasks related to getting boats ready for the water. Along with working on inboard and outboard motors, skilled mechanics and service technicians may also be responsible for maintaining and repairing propellers and electrical and steering systems.
Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Virginia Beach Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Occupational Safety

Promote workplace safety and health and to make workers more knowledgeable about specific workplace hazards related to ship repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking, marine terminals, or longshoring.

Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Pipefitter

Prepare for a career in the maritime field assembling, installing, and maintaining pipe systems, pipe supports, and related hydraulic and pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial production and processing systems.
Semesters:
4
Credits:
66-67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Structural

Gain familiarization with basic ship construction and ship processes and techniques, various ship systems and the basic knowledge and terminology to report to worksites aboard ships or in the shipyard.
Semesters:
4
Credits:
66 View Curriculum
Locations:
Portsmouth Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Specialization in Trades Technician

This program is designed for students who want to learn the skills necessary to install and maintain marina and boat equipment and systems.

Career Studies Certificates

Semesters:
2
Credits:
18 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Career Studies Certificate - Inside Machinist

Prepares students for a career in the manufacturing or maritime industry operating manual machine tools. Students are prepared to obtain National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) industry certifications.
Semesters:
2
Credits:
19 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus
Career Studies Certificate - Marine Electrical

This curriculum is focused on the maintenance and repair of shipboard electrical and electronic systems from fundamental electrical skills to ship systems and marine electronics.
Semesters:
2
Credits:
19 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus
Career Studies Certificate - Marine Mechanical

Learn the fundamentals of mechanical systems, hydraulics, and blueprint reading in addition to gaining a strong foundational knowledge of ship systems and an orientation to maritime careers.
Semesters:
2
Credits:
25-27 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus, Portsmouth Campus
Career Studies Certificate - Maritime Technologies

Designed to get you into—or advancing in—the maritime field as quickly as possible, this program will help you gain familiarization with basic ship construction and ship processes and techniques, various ship systems, and basic knowledge and terminology.
Semesters:
2
Credits:
19 View Curriculum
Locations:
Chesapeake Campus
Career Studies Certificate - Pipefitter

Learn the fundamentals of machine blueprint reading, industrial pipefitting, pipe welding, piping and auxiliary systems, and pipefitting and fabrication.

Graduates of the Maritime Technologies program who have also completed a registered apprenticeship program will be prepared to apply for supervisory positions within the maritime industry or to continue their education towards a bachelor’s degree.

Learn more about apprenticeships

Is this program for you?

Yes, if you:
  • have strong interpersonal skills
  • work well in fast-paced environments
  • can multitask