, Zambales The academy offers courses for
Bachelor of Science degrees in
marine transportation and
marine engineering. Both are four-year residency courses consisting of three-years of academic studies (first, second, and fourth years). The one year
apprentice training (third year) is aboard
commercial vessels plying the international
sea lanes as
deck or
engine room cadets. The academy also offers
master's degree courses in shipping
business management and maritime education. The student body is referred to as the
Corps of Midshipmen, and follows a rigid
seniority system. Each year level is a "class". The fourth-year graduating students are called
First Class Midshipmen (1CL), the third year is
Second Class Midshipmen (
2CL), the second year is
Third Class Midshipmen (3CL) and the first year is the
Fourth Class Midshipmen. The
Fourth Class Midshipmen are also referred to as
plebes or
bugs, while the other classes are referred to as
upperclassmen. Third Class Midshipmen are also called "Tiger of the Corps". Second Class Midshipmen sail around the world on different merchant marine vessels, as per their compliance for a 1-year shipboard training aboard international/ocean-going vessels. They have a rank of Deck Cadet for BSMT Cadets and Engine Cadet for BSMarE Cadets. The First Class Midshipmen are also called "King of The Barracks", "Dragon of the Corps". They aspire to succeed in finishing their 3 years of being a cadet and a graduating class of their year. Aspiring midshipmen must pass the
entrance examinations and rigorous medical and
physical examinations before admission. For example, males must be at least five feet three inches tall, and females must be at least five feet one inch tall and never have given birth. A long list of diseases, including major orthodontic problems and wearing
glasses, disqualify both sexes. Successful applicants report to the academy for
orientation, a month-long period of
indoctrination and training which begins in the approved academic calendar of the following academic year.
Probationary Midshipmen or
"probies" who pass this orientation & indoctrination trainings undertake an
oath-taking
ceremony at the end, and are assigned
serial numbers, given
uniforms, and incorporated as Fourth Class Midshipmen. The
curriculum involves both
academics and
military-style
leadership and
discipline, aimed at training marine officers to manage coastal and
foreign trade, serve as
shipping executives, port supervisors, and
marine surveyors, as well as naval officers in time of war or national emergency. The curriculum follows the guidelines of the 1995
STCW and the Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Maritime Education 1997 set by the Commission on Higher Education. The PMMA is part of the
Luzon Science Consortium. ==Notable alumni==