The university was initially established on June 11, 1891 as the Massachusetts Nautical Training School, the result of an act passed by the state legislature.

At the time of this relinquishment of state control, the school was relocated from Boston to Hyannis, where it was subsequently renamed as the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

By 1964, the school rejoined the Division of State Colleges of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts while receiving permission to award four-year bachelors of science degrees.

For the rest of their first academic year as fourth class cadets, Youngies continue to be required to adhere to stringent rules affecting many aspects of their daily life.

Prior to the expansion of its offered majors in 1990, the academy was exclusively a merchant marine college, tasked with the training of future cargo ship officers.

Cadets register soon after the New Year holiday and prepare the USTS Kennedy for sailing, including loading provisions in the freezers and dry stores spaces.

The voyage lasts about 52 days on average, and during that time a cadet will rotate through class and laboratory training at sea, ships operations including deck and engine watches, maintenance and emergency drills.

The academy offered an exchange program to Shanghai Maritime University, an 18,000-student school situated next to a deep-water port.

Four months later, Chinese cadets would make the trek to Taylor's Point and spend a semester at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

They became immersed into American culture, featuring trips to Boston, New York, Washington DC, and Plymouth Plantation.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy has done a great deal of work to incorporate green and safe energy to the campus.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Information Commons is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Building.