US Code
CHAPTER 513— UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
§ 51309. Academic degree

(a) Bachelor’s Degree.—(1) In general.—The Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy may confer the degree of bachelor of science on an individual who—(A) has met the conditions prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation; and
(B) if a citizen of the United States, has passed the examination for a merchant marine officer’s license.
(2) Effect of physical or psychological disqualification.—An individual not able or allowed to take the examination for a merchant marine officer’s license solely due to a documented medical or psychological condition shall not be denied a degree for not taking the examination.
(b) Master’s Degree.—The Superintendent of the Academy may confer a master’s degree on an individual who has met the conditions prescribed by the Secretary. A master’s degree program may be funded through non-appropriated funds. To maintain the appropriate academic standards, the program shall be accredited by the appropriate accreditation body. Nonappropriated funds received for this purpose shall be credited to the Maritime Administration’s Operations and Training appropriation, to remain available until expended, for those expenses directly related to the purpose of such receipts. The Superintendent shall maintain a separate and detailed accounting of nonappropriated fund receipts and all associated expenses. The Secretary may prescribe regulations necessary to administer such a program.
(c) Graduation Not Entitlement To Hold License.—Graduation from the Academy does not entitle an individual to hold a license authorizing service on a merchant vessel.
(d) Definition of Documented Medical or Psychological Condition.—In this section the term “documented medical or psychological condition” means, with respect to an individual, a physical disqualification or psychological condition, including a mental health condition arising from sexual assault or sexual harassment, for which the individual has been treated or is being treated by a medical or psychological provider.

Structure US Code

US Code

Title 46— SHIPPING

Subtitle V— Merchant Marine

Part B— Merchant Marine Service

CHAPTER 513— UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY

§ 51301. Maintenance of the Academy

§ 51302. Nomination and competitive appointment of cadets

§ 51303. Non-competitive appointments

§ 51304. Additional appointments from particular areas

§ 51305. Prohibited basis for appointment

§ 51306. Cadet commitment agreements

§ 51307. Places of training

§ 51308. Uniforms, textbooks, and transportation allowances

§ 51309. Academic degree

§ 51310. Deferment of service obligation under cadet commitment agreements

§ 51311. Midshipman status in the Navy Reserve

§ 51312. Board of Visitors

§ 51313. Advisory Board

§ 51314. Limitation on charges and fees for attendance

§ 51315. Gifts to the Merchant Marine Academy

§ 51316. Temporary appointments to the Academy

§ 51317. Adjunct professors

§ 51318. Policy on sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking

§ 51319. Sexual assault response coordinators and sexual assault victim advocates

§ 51320. Acceptance of guarantees with gifts for major projects

§ 51321. Grants for scientific and educational research

§ 51322. Protection of cadets from sexual assault onboard vessels

§ 51323. United States Merchant Marine Academy Advisory Council

§ 51324. Unfilled vacancies

§ 51325. Sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention information management system

§ 51326. Student advisory board at the United States Merchant Marine Academy

§ 51327. Sexual Assault Advisory Council

§ 51328. Student support