Bachelor of Arts - Marine Affairs

Marine Affairs is an interdisciplinary field that studies the relationships between humans and the marine environment with the goal of achieving sustainability of marine resources, as well as social and environmental justice.

Marine Affairs professionals work to develop better policies and management strategies to address the many complex issues related to human uses of the world’s coasts and oceans. Examples of some of the major issues the world is currently facing include natural resource decline, pollution, climate change, impacts of coastal development, among others.

When students pursue a career in Marine Affairs, they will play an integral role in finding better ways to educate and inform the public about these issues and potential solutions.

A field with unlimited possibilities

With a B.A. in Marine Affairs students will gain the scientific knowledge and specific technical skills necessary to work in this very exciting and important area.

Marine Affairs graduates find employment and careers in a wide range of areas such as:

Students will be prepared to pursue a career with a variety of entities, including government agencies that oversee the management of marine resources (e.g. NOAA and EPA or state and local agencies), as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) interested in creating solutions for the sustainable use of the marine and coastal resources and educating the public about these issues.

They will also have opportunities with international organizations dedicated to preserving the environment or academic institutions, where they can teach and do research to inform better policies.

In addition, students who major in Marine Affairs go on to pursue advanced degrees in areas such as:

Marine affairs, environmental policy and management, natural resource conservation

Law – particularly environmental law and ocean law – and marine environmental advocacy and lobbying

Science education and communication

Since Marine Affairs is an interdisciplinary field, the possibilities truly are vast and limitless