---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 51309"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "51309"
heading: "Academic degree"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/51309"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part B — Merchant Marine Service"
  - "Chapter 513 — United States Merchant Marine Academy"
---

# §51309. Academic degree

- (a) **Bachelor’s Degree.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The Superintendent of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) Merchant Marine [Academy](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1) may confer the degree of bachelor of science on an individual who—
    - (A) has met the conditions prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation; and
    - (B) if a citizen of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10), has passed the examination for a [merchant marine officer](/usc/46/51102.md?p=3)’s license.
  - (2) **Effect of physical or psychological disqualification.—** An individual not able or allowed to take the examination for a [merchant marine officer](/usc/46/51102.md?p=3)’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](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1) may confer a master’s degree on an individual who has met the conditions prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8). 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](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) may prescribe regulations necessary to administer such a program.
- (c) **Graduation Not Entitlement To Hold License.—** Graduation from the [Academy](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1) does not entitle an individual to hold a license authorizing service on a merchant [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9).
- (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](/usc/46/2101.md?p=47) or [sexual harassment](/usc/46/2101.md?p=48), for which the individual has been treated or is being treated by a medical or psychological provider.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(b), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1574; Pub. L. 111–84, div. C, title XXXV, § 3514, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2724; Pub. L. 117–263, div. C, title XXXV, § 3511, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3065.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 51309(a) | 46 App.:1295b(g)(1). | June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XIII, § 1303(g), as added Pub. L. 96–453, § 2, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 2002; restated Pub. L. 108–136, title XXXV, § 3515(c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1794. |
| 51309(b) | 46 App.:1295b(g)(2). |  |
| 51309(c) | 46 App.:1295b(b)(8). | June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XIII, § 1303(b)(8), as added Pub. L. 96–453, § 2, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 1997; Pub. L. 99–368, § 5, Aug. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 776. |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–263, § 3511(1), in heading, inserted “or psychological” after “physical”, and, in text, inserted “able or” before “allowed” and substituted “solely due to a documented medical or psychological condition shall” for “only because of physical disqualification may”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–263, § 3511(2), added subsec. (d).

2009—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–84 inserted before last sentence “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.”