Marine Affairs
The Ocean needs scientific study, but it also needs skilled advocates trained in marine science to effect change in policy, law, business, and communications. The Bachelor of Arts in Marine Affairs is an interdisciplinary marine science degree that focuses on the fundamentals of marine science, the nature of the changing systems, sustainability of ocean resources, and social and environmental justice. Marine Affairs professionals are well prepared to advocate, educate, communicate, and liaise between the existing marine resource problems and the solutions that society can implement. Students in this major will be prepared to contribute to ocean advocacy in professional positions and/or could pursue advanced degrees in science, administration, policy, resource management, and/or law. Students further refine their career paths by selecting a minor in business, criminal justice, management, public administration, strategic communication, or sustainability. This program requires a research practicum or internship related to the student’s desired specialization.
- The marine affairs degree is a unique, interdisciplinary degree found in few undergraduate institutions.
- HPU’s small class sizes foster constructive interactions between faculty and students, and guarantee individualized attention.
- In addition to a rigorous classroom education, our marine science programs emphasize hands-on learning in laboratory and field courses.
- Our location in the center of the world’s largest ocean makes this the perfect place to study marine affairs!
- Even as an undergraduate, you’ll have the chance to explore and deploy sampling gear throughout Hawai‘i’s coastal and nearshore ocean environments aboard our 42-foot research vessel, Kaholo.
- Students who graduate from our program leave with knowledge of marine science and real-world skills for success in their future endeavors.
Students majoring in Marine Affairs will:
- Demonstrate applied knowledge in the core principles of marine sciences
- Demonstrate knowledge of origins and framework for the laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the management of the marine environment
- Communicate ideas effectively in written and oral formats
- Apply computational approaches for data analysis and graphic presentation
- Find and evaluate published information from a variety of printed and electronic sources
- Analyze complex problems and develop interdisciplinary solutions pertaining to the marine environment
You may find specific requirements for undergraduate admissions here.