Whether you want to study at home or abroad, and/or in English or another language, there are numerous master-degree programs aimed at global trade professionals.

For our purposes, we have identified intriguing educational opportunities, first in the U.S. and then around the world.

DOMESTIC PROGRAMS

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Master of Science in Port and Terminal Management

Lamar’s Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and College of Business have teamed with port and marine terminal leaders to offer port-management courses. The university claims its Master of Science degree program in Port and Terminal Management is unlike any other in the world. It’s aimed at working professionals in the public port and private marine terminal industry seeking to advance and enhance their careers by studying under field experts and scholars within the Southeast Texas Neches River ports and conducting cutting-edge waterfront community research.

Texas A&M University-Galveston

Galveston, Texas
Master of Maritime Business Administration & Logistics

The university, which was founded in 1876, claims its Master’s in Maritime Business Administration and Logistics “places students in a prime position for successful leadership roles within the field of maritime business administration.” Coursework came about through experienced experts having shared the latest advances within the industry. Students can pursue an online degree or an on-campus track that offers a license option, a five-year combined undergraduate-graduate program or a thesis option.

Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, Maine
Master of Science in Maritime Management

To be perfectly honest, we prefer this degree program’s other name: Master’s & Commander. Whatever you call it, the degree combines two programs: Small Vessel Operations and International Logistics Management. And students can also earn their U.S. Coast Guard Mate Less Than 200 Gross Tons, Near Coastal or Inland license as well as Maritime Port Manager certification from the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives. International logistics involves studying the process of planning and managing the movement of goods and products in a company’s supply chain from one point to another—and across at least one international border—until reaching the consumer. It must be noted that while a substantial portion of studies can be done online, some on-campus coursework is also required.

State University of New York Maritime College

Bronx, New York

Master of Science in International Transportation Management

The SUNY graduate program offers these five tracks: business of shipping; global transportation security; international logistics; marine insurance; or research in international logistics and shipping. But students can also select from a vast array of elective courses that cover liner and tramp shipping, port operations, international trade, economics, insurance, law and other topics so they may may design a track tailored to their specific needs and interests. Options include: a 34-credit, online, on-campus or hybrid degree program that involves four core courses, six electives and one culminating capstone course; a 40-credit, in-person only program that includes an Advanced Certificate in Supply Chain Management with the completion of four core courses, five supply-chain management courses, three electives and the culminating capstone; and a 96-credit, hybrid program that includes the 34-credit master’s degree as well as a U.S. Coast Guard third mate license. While the courses may be completed online, the license includes 62 credits at the undergraduate level that must be done on-campus. 

American Public University

Charles Town, West Virginia

Master of Arts in Transportation and Logistics

Conducted through APU’s Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business, the accredited online program teaches advanced logistics skills and technologies needed to manage enterprise-level manufacturing, shipping, retail, security, emergency management and disaster relief. Students are provided a higher-level examination of the principles, policies and trends in air, maritime and ground transportation; supply chain optimization; security; and sustainability. Portions of the program were developed in partnership with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Global Maritime and Transportation School. 

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Rotterdam, Netherlands, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Master of Science in Shipping & Transport

The one-year, full-time, English-language program will, according to the university, “give you an excellent opportunity to improve your skills in business administration in the maritime and logistics field.” Students will acquire in-depth knowledge of shipping management, economics and finance, logistics management and transport laws & policies. The program “guides students to make the link between understanding the fundamental maritime and transport concepts, tools and techniques and to apply them effectively and successfully in real-life situations,” boasts RU. “We practice a genuine ‘Rotterdam hands-on and make-things-happen’ approach, which is our distinctive strength.” 

Netherlands Maritime University

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Part-time Master of Science in Shipping and Transport

This 27-month, fully English program, which is aimed at shipping and transport management professionals, provides a multidisciplinary view on maritime, port, transport and logistics issues and complex management problems. Consisting of four core modules with various courses and a final module that is dedicated to thesis research, the program flips online learning on its head. Three-hour classes that are held two nights a week are expected to be completed on-campus. And every five or six weeks there is a full Friday of excursions or simulations. Your off hours can thus be devoted to your day job which, unless it’s real close to Rotterdam, will have to be performed online, from your student housing. When you’re not working, in class or off on an excursion, you are expected to discuss, analyze and share thoughts about your coursework with fellow students. Welcome to the brave new virtual world! 

University of Bamenda 

Bamenda, Cameroon

Professional Master in Transportation, Shipping Management & Logistics and Supply Chain Management

The two-year, English-language, on-campus program is under the umbrella of the university’s Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics, whose departments include General Studies, Customs, Land Transport, Maritime Transport and Transit and Logistics. The degree program covers Transportation and Logistics, Shipping Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management and, besides courses, students must complete an internship and dissertation. 

Bureau Veritas Business School 

Alcobendas, Spain

Master in Shipping Business Administration & Logistics

This program is aimed at business people, naval engineers, civil engineers and other port and maritime professionals who want to conduct their studies online and in Spanish. (How’s that for niche programming?) “The primary objective of the course is to achieve a comprehensive knowledge of the management of maritime and port companies,” states Bureau Veritas , “as well as to develop the skills and capacities necessary to know how to analyze the maritime port, and logistics company from a managerial point of view.”