For over 100 years, Massachusetts Maritime Academy has been preparing women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's oldest and finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is part of a seagoing tradition dating back to colonial times. The Academy’s history as an educational institution began with an act of the State legislature, June 11, 1891, which created the Massachusetts Nautical Training School. The name was changed in 1913 to the Massachusetts Nautical School. From its founding until 1964, it was administered by a superintendent serving under a board of commissioners appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth. The school has grown from an entering class of forty cadets in April, 1893, to a well respected, world recognized institution, the oldest maritime academy in continuous operation in the United States and the largest State maritime academy.

The mission of Massachusetts Maritime Academy is to graduate educated men and women to serve the maritime industry as licensed officers or to serve the transportation, engineering, environmental, and industrial interests of the Commonwealth and the Nation. The Academy supports the national defense by the commissioning of officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Armed Forces. The Academy believes in learning through application and requires students to spend a portion of their academic program at sea or in internships or cooperatives. Resident life is regimented, instilling in cadets honor, responsibility, discipline and leadership.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy Band and Honor Guard have celebrated more than 50 years of pride and tradition playing music in numerous events throughout Massachusetts. From memorial services at Otis Air Force Base to the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Boston, they have represented their Academy with honor and dignity. Their musical diversity provides an excellent atmosphere for any event. The band and the Honor Guard is a volunteer organization and cadets take time from their already busy schedule to represent the Academy and the Commonwealth.