Courses

The M.A. Maritime Studies requires a total of 36 s.h. of course work. For a comprehensive outline of the master’s degree in Maritime Studies and to check semester-semester offerings, please refer to the latest Course Catalog and Graduate Guidelines. Maritime-focused electives vary by semester based upon instructor availability to teach courses.


Note regarding scientific diving training (COAS 6000)

Students wishing to enroll in program field schools or collect underwater archaeological data as a part of thesis research (i.e. pursuing a career in maritime archaeology) must also complete COAS 6000 (Scientific diving, 3 s.h.).  COAS 6000 provides the training necessary to obtain an ECU Scientific Diver certification.  This certification meets the standards for scientific diving established by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and is required for those diving under ECU auspices.  An open water diving certification (e.g. a PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI or equivalent certification) is a prerequisite for entering the course.  COAS 6000 may be used only as a non-HIST course elective, and can be taken in excess of a regular 9 s.h. courseload.

This course must be taken before HIST5530, and therefore is usually completed in the 1st or 2nd semester of classes (1st semester is preferred).  Incoming graduate students may not take more than 9 semester hours of “regular classes” in their first semester. COAS6000 is the only exception to this rule. This exception exists due to inclement weather issues (that can disrupt training schedules).  Additionally, COAS 6000 offers a greater degree of flexibility than a “regular” class (some of the content such as theory portions may be undertaken online), and due to the time spent in the pool and open water sessions, it also doesn’t carry the same reading, writing, or library time than a regular graduate class.

COAS courses are not HIST courses, therefore registration in COAS 6000 occurs by contacting the director of the Diving and Water Safety office (Mark Keusenkothen, KEUSENKOTHENM@ecu.edu, 328.4041).