Additional Courses

Online Learning

Seafarers now have educational opportunities through the Internet. Eligible members of the SIU may now take courses online by registering with the Paul Hall Center Admissions Department as they would for classes on the Paul Hall Center campus. Once Seafarers have been accepted by Admissions, they will be directed to Dale Rausch in the Academic Department. Dale is the Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) administrator, the distance learning component for the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education.

Online Courses Available

The following formal online courses are available:

  • MSC Environmental Awareness
  • Hazardous Material Control and Management
  • Hearing Conservation
  • Heat Stress Management
  • Shipboard Pest Management
  • Shipboard Water Sanitation

Students who are currently enrolled in resident classes at the Paul Hall Center are encouraged to enroll in CAL courses. Residential students should notify the Admissions Department of their interest in CAL and confirm their eligibility.

Academic Department

The Academic Department has a long history of providing support and services to students at the Paul Hall Center. Since the founding of the school in Piney Point, Md., there has been academic support for students taking vocational programs. There are a variety of opportunities offered to all students. Specific questions about the programs can be answered by contacting the Academic Department at (301) 994-0010, ext. 5411

General Education Program – Maryland High School Diploma

The GED program is open to all mariners who do not have a high school diploma. Assistance is offered to prepare students to take the new computer-based GED test in Maryland or in their home state. Emphasis is placed on writing skills, social studies, science, interpreting literature and art, and mathematics. GED students receive individualized instruction in preparation for the test. The school for many years has successfully prepared mariners to pass the test. For many students, this is a milestone in their lives. Successful students will receive a Maryland High School Diploma upon completion of this program. (A 12-week residency is required prior to taking the test in Maryland.)

Basic Vocational Support Program

The vocational support system assists students in improving course-specific vocational language and mathematical skills. It is designed to augment the skills introduced in their vocational training classes. This program may be taken prior to attending the vocational class or concurrently with the vocational class. It is ideal for students who have been away from the class room; need to improve basic academic skills.

Associate of Applied Science Degree – Maritime Operations Technology

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship (SHLSS) at the Paul Hall Center has partnered with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Maritime Operations Technology with a concentration in either Nautical Science (deck department students) or Marine Engineering (engine department students).

Students must complete a combination of required academic general education courses and vocational technical education courses in order to earn the degree.  CSM will provide all of the general education courses and SHLSS will provide all of the technical courses required for the degree.  All of the SHLSS technical courses have been evaluated and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE)

Resident general education courses in English, Mathematics, and Physics taught by CSM faculty will be offered at SHLSS once each quarter for a three week period. The remaining general education courses can be completed on line.

Transfer credits from an accredited college or university will be evaluated on a case by case basis by CSM for application to the associate degree program. Courses recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) may qualify.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, students will be awarded the degree of Associate of Applied Science from CSM.

The College of Southern Maryland is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  All general education courses completed during this program are fully transferable to other public colleges and universities in the state of Maryland.

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