Texas university offers maritime degree

Where there is a security need, there is a business opportunity. Texas Southern University plans to use a $2 million, two-year grant from the Port of Houston Authority to create a new degree program in maritime transportation, part of the port’s efforts to replace its aging work force and meet new technical and security demands. The degree program has to be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Enrollment is expected to begin in fall 2010.

Lei Yu, chairman of the transportation studies department at TSU, said the bachelor’s and master’s degrees will prepare students in three areas: maritime logistics, security and environmental compliance. Demand stems partly from increased security at ports nationwide, Yu said.

Houston Chronicle’s Jeannie Kever writes that the port also needs to prepare for more general future work force needs, which range from high school graduates to people with graduate degrees, spokeswoman Lisa Ashley-Whitlock said. “We still have the traditional longshoremen, but we also need … skilled laborers like crane operators (and) engineers,” she said. “It’s very technical and highly sophisticated.”

Money from the port would be used to develop the program, hire a director and provide scholarships.

Representatives from the Port of Houston Authority would serve on an advisory board, offering input into the curriculum. Texas A&M University at Galveston offers a degree in marine transportation, geared to preparing students as licensed third mates or third assistant engineers on oceangoing ships, spokeswoman Karen Bigley said. It is one of just seven programs in the United States to offer that training.