First Mate Education Requirements And Courses

First mate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, first mates don't need a college education. The most common degree for first mates is bachelor's degree with 58% graduates, with only 17% first mate graduates earning high school diploma. First mates who decided to graduate from college often finish Coastal Carolina University or Boston University. Some good skills to have in this position include vessel maintenance, cleanliness and passenger safety.

Popular first mate certifications include Advanced First Aid & CPR, First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, or OSHA Safety Certificate . To improve first mate qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in first mate education paths.

What education do you need to become a first mate?

What degree do you need to be a first mate?

The most common degree for first mates is bachelor's degree, with 58% of first mates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 17% and high school diploma degree at 14%.

Bachelor's, 58%

High School Diploma, 17%

Associate, 14%

Master's, 5%

Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a first mate?

You should major in business to become a first mate. 22% of first mates major in business. Other common majors for a first mate include biology and general studies.

Business, 22%

Biology, 8%

General Studies, 7%

Environmental Science, 6%

Other Majors, 57%

Best majors for first mates

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	22.4%
2	Biology	7.6%
3	General Studies	6.8%
4	Environmental Science	6.3%
5	Criminal Justice	6.0%

Show more common first mate majors

20 best online courses for first mates

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1. MV Substation - An industrial approach (PART-A)

This tailor-made certificate course on MV Substation Engineering is curated by the Subject Matter Experts and practitioners of L&T, and is structured pragmatically to help the learner understand the industry practices in carrying out the engineering for substations and selection of various substation equipment in accordance with Indian & International Standards. In addition, it covers the electrical safety rules, safe operating procedures and an overview of maintenance practices to give a...

2. Maintenance Planning Basics

4.4

(1,042)

Understanding maintenance planning basics of successful maintenance department...

3. Maintenance Management Basics

4.4

(632)

Crucial knowledge and practices for successful maintenance department...

4. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

(533)

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...

5. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

4.1

(263)

The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

6. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

7. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes

4.3

(1,105)

Functional Module SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) with Configuration...

8. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

9. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

4.3

(377)

A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

10. Real World SAP - Plant Maintenance Orders and Notifications

4.4

(809)

Learn SAP PM / EAM with a focus on real world scenarios...

11. Electrical Power Engineering Principles

4.7

(1,112)

Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...

12. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety

4.4

(302)

Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...

13. Electronic & Electrical Devices Maintenance & Troubleshooting

4.3

(515)

This course will give you everything you need to start playing with electronics components and fix electronic devices...

14. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

4.4

(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

15. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics

4.5

(555)

This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...

16. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

4.6

(4,258)

Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

17. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

4.3

(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

18. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics

4.5

(593)

Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...

19. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

4.5

(286)

A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

20. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

Average first mate salary by education level

First mates with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $41,693 annually. With a Associate degree, first mates earn a median annual income of $34,333 compared to $32,554 for first mates with an High School Diploma degree.

First mate education level	First mate salary
High School Diploma or Less	$32,554
Bachelor's Degree	$41,693
Some College/ Associate Degree	$34,333