Alumni Survey-Marine Transportation

Public Burden Statement

The public reporting burden for this collection will average 15 minutes per survey, including time
for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering data, and completing and
reviewing the information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of
this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT
300 STEAMBOAT ROAD
KINGS POINT, NY 11024
516-726-5637 / assessment@usmma.edu
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
OMB NO: OMB-2133-0542
EXPIRATION DATE: 09/30/2016

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Instructions

Thank you for participating in the USMMA Alumni Survey for the Department of Marine
Transportation. This survey is completely anonymous and does not collect personally identifiable
information. Completed survey responses will be sent directly to the Office of Institutional
Assessment. Your participation in this survey is voluntary, but your complete and thoughtful
responses are extremely important to us and will be utilized as input for the continuous
improvement of academic programs and services here at the Academy.
Please complete the Alumni Survey within 30 days of receipt. The Point of Contact for this survey is
Dr. Lori Townsend, Director of Institutional Assessment, 516-726-5637, townsendl@usmma.edu.

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* 1. Please indicate your graduation year.

* 2. Please select your major.
Marine Transportation
Marine Operations & Technology
Logistics & Intermodal Transportation

* 3. Please indicate your gender.
Male
Female

4. Do you identify as transgender?
Yes
No
I prefer not to answer

* 5. Why did you select USMMA for your undergraduate degree? (Check all that apply.)
To obtain a profession in the maritime industry
To become better qualified for future employment
USMMA’s quality programs and/or reputation
For personal growth and development
High earning potential after graduation
To obtain an affordable baccalaureate degree with little/no debt
To enter active or reserve duty in the military or uniformed services
Other (please specify)

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* 6. Since leaving USMMA, which of the following have you obtained? (Check all that apply.)
Another undergraduate degree
A graduate degree (MS, PhD, etc.)
A non-degree certificate
Second Mate's license
Chief Mate's license
Master's license, unlimited tons
Master's license, 1600 tons
Towing Endorsement
Dynamic Positioning (DP) certification
None of the above
Other, please specify:

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Employment

* 7. How long did it take you to obtain employment immediately after graduation?
Obtained prior to graduating
<6 Months
6-12 Months
>12 Months

* 8. Please indicate your current employment status.
Employed, maritime industry-afloat, government
Employed, maritime industry-afloat, private
Employed, maritime industry-ashore, government
Employed, maritime industry-ashore, private
Employed, other industry
Unemployed
If employed in another industry, please specify:

* 9. Have you sailed on your license?
Yes

No

If Yes, for how many years?

* 10. If currently sailing, are you sailing on your highest license?
Yes
No
I am not currently sailing

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11. Sailing experience: Please indicate the types of vessels on which you are currently sailing or have
sailed on.
Container
RoRo
Bulker
General Cargo
ROS
MSC
US Flag
International Flag
Tanker DL
Tanker LG
Passenger
Towing/ATB
OSV
Heavy Lift / Semi-submersible
Other, please specify:

* 12. Please indicate your current gross annual salary (self-only):
Less than $60,000
$60,000 - $74,999
$75,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $149,999
$150,000 - $199,999
$200,000+

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* 13. How long have you worked in your current position?
Less than 3 months
3 to <12 months
1 to <3 years
3 to <5 years
5 or more years

* 14. Overall, how effective was your educational experience at USMMA in preparing you for your career?
Excellent

Very Good

Good

Fair

Poor

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Assessment of Academic Outcomes

* 15. To what extent did your USMMA education prepare you for the following?
A great deal

Somewhat

Very little

Not at all

Serve immediately as
merchant marine
officers with the
foundation to advance to
master or chief engineer.
Work in approved
maritime related shore
positions with the
capability to rise to
senior levels.
Lead with integrity,
competence, and high
ethical standards.
Work in teams
constructively toward
common goals.
Think critically and
creatively, and solve
complex problems.
Communicate
proficiently, both orally
and in writing.
Demonstrate information
literacy and proficiency
in the use of information
technology.
Understand and function
effectively in the socially,
economically, politically,
and culturally diverse
global environment.
Pursue continued
intellectual and
professional
development.

* 16. To what extend did your USMMA education prepare you to do the following?

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A great deal

Somewhat

Very little

Not at all

Understand and safely
demonstrate traditional
and modern seamanship
and cargo handling
skills.
Understand and
correctly demonstrate
the use of terrestrial,
celestial, and electronic
navigation skills and
navigation law.
Understand and
correctly demonstrate
proficiency in the
navigation rules of the
road.
Understand the
application of
information technology,
including cyber security
threat analysis and
mitigation, needed as a
ship's deck officer or as
a maritime related shore
side professional.
Understand and
demonstrate effective
and appropriate problem
solving and critical
thinking required by a
ship's deck officer or as
a maritime related shore
side professional.
Understand the
application of business,
transportation, or
logistics concepts
needed to serve as a
ship's deck officer or as
a maritime related shore
side professional with
the foundation to rise to
senior levels.
Understand and
demonstrate effective
leadership and
teamwork skills needed
to serve as a ship's deck
officer or as a maritime
related shore side
professional.

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A great deal

Somewhat

Very little

Not at all

Understand and
demonstrate effective
oral and written
communication skills
needed to serve as a
ship's deck officer or as
a maritime related shore
side professional.

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Assessment of the Institution

* 17. Please rate USMMA in the following areas.
Excellent

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

Quality of Courses
Variety of Courses
Availability of Courses
Class Sizes
Classroom Facilities
Lab Facilities
Accessibility of Faculty
Quality of Instruction by
Faculty
Faculty Knowledge of
the Field
Quality of Academic
Advising
Supportive Campus
Culture
Waterfront Facilities

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* 18. Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements.
Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree
Nor Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

The campus
environment supported
ethical behavior and the
development of
decision-making skills.
Faculty, staff, and
administration displayed
a high standard of
ethical behavior.
Faculty and academic
officials embodied the
leadership skills required
of a ship's officer.
The Academy’s mission
to educate and graduate
licensed merchant
mariners and leaders of
exemplary character
who will serve America's
marine transportation
and defense needs in
peace and war was
accomplished.
I was always clear as to
the mission of the
Academy.

* 19. Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements.
Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree Nor
Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

The Academy’s medical
services provided
satisfactory care.
The Academy’s
commissary provided
satisfactory and
nutritious meals.
The Department of
Information
Technology provided
adequate support on
campus.

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Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree Nor
Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

The Department of
Information
Technology provided
adequate support during
sea year.
The Academy’s
regimental program
provided an appropriate
laboratory for learning
leadership skills.
The Academy's
academic program
provided an appropriate
laboratory for learning
leadership skills.
The Academy’s athletic
program provided an
appropriate laboratory
for learning leadership
skills.
The Academy’s Library
was effective in
supporting the academic
programs.
The Academy’s
Department of Career
Services provided useful
assistance in securing
employment.
The Academy’s Office of
Shipboard Training
provided necessary
support for my sea year
experiences.

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Assessment of Academic Program Quality

20. Considering your experience since graduation, what courses or experiences were most valuable in your
curriculum?

21. Considering your experience since graduation, what courses or experiences were missing or should
have been covered more extensively in your curriculum?

* 22. Looking back, would you choose to attend USMMA again?
Yes

No

If no, please explain.

* 23. Looking back, would you choose the same major at USMMA?
Yes

No

If no, what major would you have chosen (even if it is not currently offered at USMMA)?

24. Strengths of the [insert] program:

25. Areas for improvement for the [insert] program:

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26. General comments about the [insert] program:

If you would like to speak with someone regarding your academic experience at USMMA,
want to receive information about the results of this and other surveys, or would like to
become involved with the academic programs at the Academy in an advisory capacity,
please contact the Office of Institutional Assessment by email at assessment@usmma.edu
or by phone at 516-726-5637.

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