Nicholls Launches Maritime Management Program

THIBODAUX — A new program launched this fall aims to put Nicholls State University students on the path to success in the industries that drive our local economy.

Beginning this fall the College of Business Administration is offering students the option of maritime management as a degree concentration. Maritime courses will also be offered to non-degree seeking students as a part of a certificate program to attract and serve new students groups.

“We can accommodate both traditional students and those who are seeking to gain knowledge of the field but not necessarily pursue a degree,” said Dr. Ken Chadwick, director of the program. “This might include, but is not limited to, employees of maritime or maritime-related companies.”

The goal of the maritime management concentration is to prepare students for a management career in the maritime industry, with a focus on the oil and gas sector and associated businesses. As these employers have found themselves with more jobs than skilled workers to fill them, many have turned to workforce education programs aimed to tap industry needs.

Currently, there are 24 traditional students pursuing a maritime management concentration, and 16 employees of local businesses taking at least one of these courses through the certificate program.

“While the technical and community colleges have created programs to develop workers with specific skill sets, until now, there was no four year business program designed to address the need for professional or managerial expertise,” said Dr. Shawn Mauldin, dean of the College of Business. “The program is truly unique to the state, and probably the country, in that it focuses on the oil and gas sector of the maritime industry.”

To better prepare students for real-life industry work, the maritime management concentration includes a summer internship with a regional maritime-related firm.

“We have already received commitments to provide internships from some of the leading companies in the industry. These include Abdon Callais, Bollinger Shipyards, L & M Botruc, Edison Chouest Offshore, Iberia Marine, Montco Offshore, Odyssea Marine, SEACOR Marine, Yellowfin Marine Services and others,” Chadwick said. “We also invite other firms to contact us about providing internships for our students.”

Chadwick said that the program would not be possible without the support of industry partners.

“The program is fully funded by local and regional businesses. In addition to the financial support, these and other firms have collaborated to develop the courses and content that will be delivered to students,” Chadwick said. “We want to ensure that we are delivering course material that is relevant to the jobs our graduates will pursue.”

For additional details about the maritime management concentration, contact Ken Chadwick at 985-448-4211 or ken.chadwick@www.nicholls.edu.

To learn more about the Nicholls College of Business Administration — internationally accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business — go to www.nicholls.edu/business/.

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