Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules

Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals

This master's equips you with the interpersonal and leadership skills you need to thrive in the demanding maritime environment, on board and ashore. You will develop your ability to communicate effectively, manage multicultural teams and resolve conflict constructively, apply coaching techniques that bring out the best in your colleagues and crew, and take care of your own wellbeing, time and career, helping to build a positive, safe working climate in ships, ports and shipping companies.

Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the program

What is the Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals?

This master's develops the human skills that every maritime professional needs, whether on the bridge, in the engine room, in a port office or in the HR department of a shipping company. You will study strategic, situational and transformational leadership; emotional intelligence and its neuroscientific bases; effective, intercultural, verbal and non-verbal communication in multinational crews; active listening, assertiveness, collaborative negotiation and mediation; critical decision-making under uncertainty, stress and fatigue; operational resilience and mindfulness; individual, group and executive coaching, talent diagnosis, SMART goals and 360-degree feedback; the link between soft skills and safety management systems; and self-leadership, time management, healthy habits on long contracts, the balance between life on board and ashore, mentoring and career planning.

What sets this master's apart: rather than focusing only on the chain of command, it treats soft skills as a professional toolkit for anyone who works in or around the sea, from junior officers and port staff to trainers and HR managers; it combines coaching for others with self-care and career development for yourself; it measures the impact of coaching on productivity and safety with clear indicators; and it closes with a Final Project in which you design, present and defend a soft skills and coaching strategy for a real maritime organization or team.

Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Leadership and emotional intelligence: strategic, situational and transformational leadership with self-awareness, empathy and self-regulation.
  • Communication in multicultural crews: active listening, assertiveness, non-verbal communication, negotiation and mediation.
  • Decisions under pressure: risk, uncertainty, stress, fatigue, resilience and mindfulness in critical maritime operations.
  • Coaching in practice: individual, group and executive coaching, talent diagnosis, SMART goals and 360-degree feedback.
  • Wellbeing and careers at sea: time management, self-leadership, healthy habits, life on board and ashore, mentoring and personal branding.
  • Final Project: an integrated soft skills, coaching and leadership strategy for a maritime organization.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals

11 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Strategic leadership and emotional management for high-performance maritime crews

  • 1.1. Foundations of strategic leadership: contemporary models applied to the maritime environment
  • 1.2. Emotional intelligence in maritime leadership: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills
  • 1.3. High-performance team dynamics in the naval sector: cohesion, trust and effective communication
  • 1.4. Stress management and emotional resilience for crews in critical situations and hostile environments
  • 1.5. Advanced coaching tools for maritime leaders: intervention techniques, constructive feedback and motivation
  • 1.6. Developing an organizational culture focused on safety and operational efficiency on board
  • 1.7. Conflict management and decision-making under pressure: specific protocols and methods for navigation and maritime operations
  • 1.8. Practical application of situational leadership on different types of vessels and maritime missions
  • 1.9. Technologies for monitoring the emotional state and psychophysiological wellbeing of the crew
  • 1.10. Case studies and simulations based on real scenarios for training elite crews
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Effective communication and conflict resolution in multicultural maritime settings

  • 2.1. Foundations of effective communication: models, channels and barriers in maritime settings
  • 2.2. Intercultural communication: identifying cultural differences, adaptability and strategies for effective integration into multinational teams
  • 2.3. Advanced active listening tools: techniques to improve understanding and prevent critical misunderstandings in maritime operations
  • 2.4. Verbal and non-verbal communication: body language, tone, clarity and precision to ensure accurate messages in complex situations
  • 2.5. Developing collaborative negotiation skills in maritime settings: tactics, styles and management of competing interests
  • 2.6. Conflict resolution: specific models and methods to address and defuse disputes in multicultural teams on board and ashore
  • 2.7. Emotional management and self-control during crises: emotional intelligence techniques applied to the maritime environment
  • 2.8. Emergency communication protocols: coordination and decision-making under pressure in multicultural settings
  • 2.9. Coaching and transformational leadership for maritime professionals: strengthening soft skills to boost team motivation and cohesion
  • 2.10. Integrated case studies and simulations: analysis of real situations with a technical and human focus to strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Developing emotional leadership and interpersonal communication in multicultural marine environments

  • 3.1. Foundations of emotional leadership: contemporary theories and their application in maritime contexts
  • 3.2. The dynamics of emotional intelligence in multicultural crews: recognition, management and development
  • 3.3. Effective intercultural communication in marine environments: barriers, strategies and cultural adaptation
  • 3.4. Conflict management in diverse crews: advanced resolution, mediation and negotiation techniques
  • 3.5. The impact of stress and fatigue on decision-making and communication in extreme maritime conditions
  • 3.6. Developing empathy skills to strengthen leadership through camaraderie and group cohesion
  • 3.7. Executive coaching models adapted to seafarers: tools, methods and case studies
  • 3.8. Improving non-verbal and paraverbal communication in noisy settings with technological limitations
  • 3.9. Giving constructive feedback in multinational teams to improve performance and operational safety
  • 3.10. Training in situational leadership: adapting style and approach to the culture and the maritime context
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Critical decision-making, operational resilience and team coaching for safety and performance at sea

  • 4.1. Foundations and advanced models of critical decision-making in maritime settings: situational analysis, risk assessment and management of uncertainty
  • 4.2. Operational resilience applied to crisis management at sea: strategies to anticipate, withstand and recover from adverse events
  • 4.3. Psychological mechanisms and the neuroscience of stress in the crew: identification, management and prevention of effects on performance
  • 4.4. Specialized coaching for maritime teams: developing communication, coordination and leadership skills in extreme conditions
  • 4.5. Group dynamics and conflict management in isolated environments: techniques to encourage cohesion and operational effectiveness
  • 4.6. Agile and continuous improvement methods to optimize safety and efficiency processes in maritime operations
  • 4.7. Design of comprehensive safety protocols that combine soft skills and technical procedures: assessment, application and audit
  • 4.8. Advanced real-time feedback and performance appraisal tools for the sustained development of crew competencies
  • 4.9. Integrating emotional intelligence and mindfulness into maritime work routines to improve decision-making and personal and collective resilience
  • 4.10. Case studies and coaching simulations in real offshore scenarios: analysis of results, lessons learned and application to continuous team improvement
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Advanced management of emotional coaching and transformational leadership techniques for maritime professionals

  • 5.1. Neuroscientific foundations of emotional coaching: understanding the emotional brain in maritime environments
  • 5.2. Advanced emotional intelligence techniques applied to managing crews and teams at sea
  • 5.3. Transformational leadership: models and theories to drive sustainable change in naval organizations
  • 5.4. Developing digital skills for emotional coaching: technology tools and specialized collaborative platforms
  • 5.5. Stress management and emotional resilience in seafarers: practical, evidence-based protocols and strategies
  • 5.6. Effective communication and constructive feedback: applying active listening and empathy in the chain of command
  • 5.7. Team dynamics and group coaching: encouraging cohesion and high performance in multicultural maritime settings
  • 5.8. Emotional intervention methods in crisis situations and critical decision-making on board
  • 5.9. Integrating emotional coaching with safety management systems (SMS): continuous improvement and a preventive culture
  • 5.10. Assessment and development of personalized transformational leadership plans tailored to professional profiles and specific maritime contexts
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Advanced programs in emotional leadership, intercultural communication and decision-making in demanding maritime settings

  • 6.1. Foundations of emotional leadership in maritime contexts: neuropsychological bases and their impact on managing teams at sea
  • 6.2. Advanced models of emotional intelligence applied to navigation and ship operations
  • 6.3. Intercultural communication in the maritime industry: tools for managing multicultural crews effectively
  • 6.4. Conflict resolution strategies in high-pressure settings: mediation and negotiation techniques for seafarers
  • 6.5. Decision-making under uncertainty: cognitive theories and heuristics applied to critical maritime situations
  • 6.6. Group dynamics and situational leadership: adapting styles to optimize crew cohesion and performance
  • 6.7. Digital and analytical tools to assess the emotional and motivational state of teams on board
  • 6.8. Stress management and emotional resilience: mental wellbeing protocols for crews on long voyages
  • 6.9. Building a safety culture through coaching: techniques to encourage responsibility and proactivity in regulatory compliance
  • 6.10. Integrated case studies and simulations of leadership and communication in real, operationally demanding maritime situations
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Emotional leadership, intercultural communication and decision-making strategies in high-performance marine environments

  • 7.1. Foundations of emotional leadership in marine contexts: definition, importance and application in highly complex teams
  • 7.2. Managing your own emotions and those of others: advanced emotional regulation techniques for decision-making under maritime pressure
  • 7.3. Psychological models applied to leadership: emotional intelligence, affective neuroscience and their impact on maritime performance
  • 7.4. Intercultural communication in international marine settings: language and cultural barriers and strategies for effective adaptation
  • 7.5. Developing advanced communication skills: active listening, constructive feedback and negotiation in multinational settings
  • 7.6. Group dynamics and operational coaching: techniques to strengthen cohesion and performance in diverse crews
  • 7.7. Decision-making at sea: scenario analysis, risk management and quantitative and qualitative methods
  • 7.8. Technology tools for real-time decision-making: decision support systems, simulators and big data
  • 7.9. Resilience and stress management strategies in critical maritime operations: preventive and intervention protocols
  • 7.10. Case studies: emotional leadership and intercultural communication in real high-performance maritime incidents
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Innovation in personalized coaching and management of multidisciplinary teams to optimize maritime performance

  • 8.1. Advanced foundations of personalized coaching: theories, psychological models and neuroscience applied to maritime professional development
  • 8.2. Comprehensive talent diagnosis: assessment of soft skills and analysis of strengths and areas for improvement in multidisciplinary teams
  • 8.3. Design and delivery of coaching plans tailored to maritime professional profiles: specific techniques and tools
  • 8.4. Emotional management and resilience in maritime contexts: strategies to improve decision-making under pressure and high uncertainty
  • 8.5. Team dynamics and collaborative leadership: methods to encourage cohesion and harness collective intelligence in maritime operations
  • 8.6. Effective communication and constructive feedback: protocols to improve interaction between professionals from different maritime specialties
  • 8.7. Digital technologies and platforms to track and assess progress in individual and group coaching
  • 8.8. Improving performance through mindfulness, stress management and SMART goal-setting in maritime teams
  • 8.9. Case studies and coaching simulations in real maritime scenarios: conflict resolution, negotiation and strategic decision-making
  • 8.10. Measuring the impact of coaching on productivity and operational safety: key indicators and statistical analysis for continuous improvement
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 9

Advanced strategies in emotional leadership, intercultural communication and decision-making to optimize performance and safety in high-performance marine environments

  • 9.1. Contemporary theories of emotional intelligence applied to leadership in highly complex marine environments
  • 9.2. Advanced models of intercultural communication: managing diversity and defusing conflict in multinational crews
  • 9.3. Emotional self-regulation tools for managing stress and operational pressure in critical maritime situations
  • 9.4. Executive coaching techniques focused on developing adaptive leadership and resilience in seafarers
  • 9.5. Team dynamics and trust-building: strategies to optimize cohesion and performance in maritime workplaces
  • 9.6. Advanced methods for decision-making under uncertainty and risk, including heuristic and prospective analysis in maritime operations
  • 9.7. Integrating psychological and physical safety protocols to prevent accidents and human error in high-performance settings
  • 9.8. Simulation and analysis of critical scenarios: role-playing and 360-degree feedback in complex naval contexts
  • 9.9. Assessment and continuous improvement through emotional, communication and decision-making performance indicators in maritime teams
  • 9.10. International framework and best practice in emotional leadership and intercultural management in the maritime industry
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 10

Wellbeing, time management and professional development of seafarers

  • 10.1. Time management and priorities on board
  • 10.2. Self-leadership and motivation
  • 10.3. Emotional intelligence in practice
  • 10.4. Mindfulness and stress management
  • 10.5. Healthy habits on long contracts
  • 10.6. Balancing life on board and ashore
  • 10.7. Career planning
  • 10.8. Mentoring between officers
  • 10.9. Personal branding and networking in the industry
  • 10.10. Personal development plan
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 11

Final Project

  • 11.1. Advanced foundations of soft skills in the maritime sector: effective communication, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution in complex nautical contexts
  • 11.2. Contemporary models of professional coaching aimed at developing situational and adaptive leadership in multidisciplinary maritime teams
  • 11.3. Design and execution of integrated leadership strategies: combining coaching tools with motivation and change management techniques in dynamic maritime settings
  • 11.4. Assessment and diagnosis of soft skills in seafarers: quantitative and qualitative methods to identify gaps and build personalized continuous improvement plans
  • 11.5. Group dynamics and social psychology applied to crews: encouraging cohesion, managing stress and promoting a safe, collaborative organizational culture
  • 11.6. Implementing 360-degree feedback systems and collective coaching to boost individual and team performance in maritime operations
  • 11.7. Applying advanced non-verbal communication and effective negotiation techniques in high-pressure situations and critical decisions on board
  • 11.8. Developing strategic action plans that integrate soft skills, coaching and leadership to maximize productivity and operational safety in the maritime industry
  • 11.9. Case studies and simulations of real scenarios: leadership in crisis, handling interpersonal conflict and ethical decision-making in maritime settings
  • 11.10. Integrating final project: design, presentation and defense of a strategic project that combines soft skills and coaching methods with leadership practice for operational excellence in the maritime sector
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals

It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
29
months to finish
125 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals

01Develop and apply empathetic leadership strategies, encouraging active listening, assertive communication and recognition of the team to build a climate of trust and collaboration.
02Strengthen effective communication and emotional intelligence, practicing listening, empathy and assertiveness in interactions with the crew, colleagues ashore and port authorities, even under pressure.
03Apply coaching techniques to develop individual and team talent, encouraging self-assessment and constructive feedback to drive continuous personal and professional growth.
04Manage and resolve interpersonal conflict in maritime settings by communicating assertively, listening actively and negotiating fair solutions that put the safety and wellbeing of the crew first.
05Foster a collaborative, high-performance work culture, using agile methods and transparent communication to solve problems efficiently and achieve shared goals.
06Adapt management strategies to the cultural diversity of crews and teams, with intercultural communication protocols and effective feedback channels that prevent misunderstandings and create an inclusive workplace.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals

01Maritime personal and professional coachdevelopment of leadership, communication and emotional management skills in maritime professionals.
02Soft skills consultant for maritime companiesdesign and roll-out of soft skills development programs in shipping, port and nautical organizations.
03Trainer in interpersonal skills and maritime coachingdesign and delivery of courses and workshops for the maritime environment.
04Maritime mediatorfacilitating the resolution of conflicts and improving communication between the parties in maritime disputes.
05Change management specialist in maritime organizationssupporting companies through transformation processes that require adaptability and resilience.
06Wellbeing and professional development program manager in maritime companiesinitiatives to improve the wellbeing and career development of employees and crews.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Master's in Soft Skills and Coaching for Maritime Professionals

Maritime professionals on board and ashore who want to develop leadership, communication, team management, emotional intelligence and coaching skills, including HR managers, trainers and port and shipping company staff.

It is broader: it covers soft skills for any maritime role, coaching for individuals and groups, and your own wellbeing, time management and career development, not only the relationship between officers and crews.

Yes. Several modules cover cultural differences, language barriers, non-verbal communication, negotiation and mediation in multinational crews and teams.

Yes. You will practice individual, group and executive coaching, talent diagnosis, SMART goals, 360-degree feedback and the measurement of coaching impact on productivity and safety.

Yes. A degree or relevant experience in the maritime sector or in team management is enough; the admission interview confirms that the program suits your profile.

Through case studies, role-playing exercises and simulations in each module and a Final Project in which you design and defend a soft skills and coaching strategy for a maritime organization.

A master's issued by Navalis Institute, together with the coaching plans, diagnostic tools and personal development plan you build during the program.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with live sessions that are recorded, forums and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at maritime professionals who want to strengthen their leadership, communication and team management on board and ashore, middle and senior managers interested in coaching and mentoring, HR and training managers, maritime consultants and trainers, and graduates and young professionals who aspire to leadership roles. A bachelor's degree or similar qualification, or demonstrable professional experience in the maritime sector or in team management, is recommended, together with an interest in interpersonal skills and a willingness to keep learning.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection for video calls and access to the learning platform.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $1,432 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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