The University of Rhode Island does not offer a standalone master’s degree in naval architecture. The original version of this article claimed that it did and placed the program in Providence. Both claims are wrong. URI’s main campuses are in Kingston and Narragansett, not Providence, and the graduate catalog lists ocean engineering, not naval architecture, as the degree.
What URI does offer is graduate study in ocean engineering, including a Master of Science in the field. Its undergraduate ocean engineering program includes a hydrodynamics track that covers naval architecture topics. Graduate research in the department covers underwater acoustics, robotics, coastal and offshore structures, and offshore power.
Naval architecture is the design and construction of ships and marine structures. It overlaps with ocean engineering, which also covers offshore platforms and marine systems. Students who want this field should read the graduate catalog closely to see whether a school offers a naval architecture degree or an ocean engineering degree with naval architecture coursework.
The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers is the professional organization for the field and has served it for more than a century. Students can use professional societies for publications, conferences, and industry contacts.
Prospective students can compare marine and coastal programs in other regions through our articles on Indian Ocean trade studies in Mozambique, Adriatic coastal management in Montenegro, and coastal resource management in Guinea-Bissau, plus our guide on how to select the right graduate program.
