Texas Southern University is the only HBCU that offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Transportation Management and Security. According to the University website: “This program addresses logistics/freight, security, and the environment, and prepares graduates for various roles in the maritime industry.”
Texas Southern University (TSU) is indeed the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Maritime Transportation Management and Security. This program, launched with a $2 million start-up grant from the Port of Houston Authority, aims to address the underrepresentation of minorities in the maritime industry and the aging workforce in port operations.
The B.S. in Maritime Transportation Management and Security at TSU provides students with three concentrations: Logistics/Freight, Security, and Environment. The curriculum includes a required three-credit-hour practicum (internship) and mandates that students achieve grades of “C” or better in all major courses. Graduates are prepared for various careers, such as Freight Logistics Specialist, Shipping Manager, Port Manager, Port Security Officer, and Environmental Compliance Coordinator.
While TSU is the first HBCU to offer this specific degree, other institutions provide related programs. For example, Morgan State University offers a B.S. in Transportation and Logistics, covering areas like Maritime Economics and Cargo Security. Additionally, Norfolk State University offers a B.S. in Maritime and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Maritime Technology. While TSU pioneered the B.S. in Maritime Transportation Management and Security among HBCUs, other institutions offer related programs in the broader field of maritime and logistics education.
In this major, students will dive into the scientific study of coastal processes, oceanography, ecology, marine geology, and marine conservation. They will learn to apply a wide range of evidence-based environmental and conservation strategies to protect vital coastal habitats and marine ecosystems across the globe. They will gain an understanding of marine life at the level of the biology of organisms – ranging from microbes found on coral reefs, the physiology and behavior of marine vertebrates, to the biology of the marine algae that underpin the vast majority of other marine life.
The different careers in maritime transportation are as follows:
- Freight Logistics Specialist
- Shipping Manager
- Port Manager and Operator
- Port Security Officer
- Maritime Policy Maker
- Maritime Transportation Planner
- Environmental Compliance Coordinator
- Emergency Response Specialist
