46 U.S.C. § 51309 — Academic degree

(a)(1) The Superintendent may award a bachelor of science degree to someone who meets the Secretary’s conditions and, if a United States citizen, passes the merchant-marine officer-license examination. (2) Someone unable or not allowed to take that examination solely because of a documented medical or psychological condition cannot be denied the degree for not taking it. (b) The Superintendent may award a master’s degree to someone meeting the Secretary’s conditions. A master’s program may use nonappropriated funds, must be accredited by the appropriate accreditation body, and its receipts must go to the Maritime Administration Operations and Training appropriation, available until spent for directly related expenses. The Superintendent must keep separate detailed records of receipts and expenses, and the Secretary may issue necessary rules. (c) Graduation does not entitle someone to a license authorizing service on a merchant vessel^*. (d) “Documented medical or psychological condition” means, for an individual, a physical disqualification or psychological condition, including a mental-health condition arising from sexual assault or harassment, for which the individual has received or is receiving treatment from a medical or psychological provider.