US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 8548

Degree granting authority for United States Naval Postgraduate School

(a)

Authority .—

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy, the President of the Naval Postgraduate School may, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the Naval Postgraduate School, confer appropriate degrees upon graduates who meet the degree requirements.
(b)

Limitation .—

A degree may not be conferred under this section unless—
(1)
the Secretary of Education has recommended approval of the degree in accordance with the Federal Policy Governing Granting of Academic Degrees by Federal Agencies; and
(2)
the Naval Postgraduate School is accredited by the appropriate civilian academic accrediting agency or organization to award the degree, as determined by the Secretary of Education.
(c)

Congressional Notification Requirements .—

(1)
When seeking to establish degree granting authority under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives—
(A)
a copy of the self assessment questionnaire required by the Federal Policy Governing Granting of Academic Degrees by Federal Agencies, at the time the assessment is submitted to the Department of Education’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; and
(B)
the subsequent recommendations and rationale of the Secretary of Education regarding the establishment of the degree granting authority.
(2)
Upon any modification or redesignation of existing degree granting authority, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the rationale for the proposed modification or redesignation and any subsequent recommendation of the Secretary of Education on the proposed modification or redesignation.
(3)
The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing an explanation of any action by the appropriate academic accrediting agency or organization not to accredit the Naval Postgraduate School to award any new or existing degree.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041 70A Stat. 438 Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(1)106 Stat. 2510 Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 557(a)(4)(B)118 Stat. 1915 Pub. L. 110–417122 Stat. 4460 Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(c)(1)132 Stat. 1836 (, , § 7047; renumbered § 7048, , , ; amended , , ; , [div. A], title V, § 543(e)(1), , ; renumbered § 8548, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

7047

34 U.S.C. 1076f.

Dec. 7, 1945, ch. 559, 59 Stat. 603; July 31, 1947, ch. 420, § 7, 61 Stat. 706.

In subsection (a) the words “of science” are omitted as surplusage since the curriculum is in engineering and related fields.

In subsection (b) the words “from time to time” are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 9218 of this titleA prior section 8548 was renumbered .

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 7048 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 110–4172008— amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(a) The President of the Naval Postgraduate School, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy, may confer on any qualified graduate a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctor’s degree in engineering or a related field.

“(b) A degree may not be conferred under this section unless the curriculum leading to that degree is accredited by the appropriate professional authority.”

Pub. L. 108–3752004—Subsec. (a). substituted “President” for “Superintendent”.

Pub. L. 102–484section 7047 of this title1992— renumbered as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–417section 543(j) of Pub. L. 110–417section 2163 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any degree granting authority established, modified, or redesignated on or after , for an institution of professional military education referred to in such amendment, see , set out as a note under .