EXPANDED AUTHORITY FOR INSTITUTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION TO AWARD DEGREES.

SEC. 543. EXPANDED AUTHORITY FOR INSTITUTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION TO AWARD DEGREES.(a) National Defense Intelligence College.—(1) In general.—Section 2161 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:“§ 2161. Degree granting authority for National Defense Intelligence College“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the President of the National Defense Intelligence College may, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the National Defense Intelligence College, confer appropriate degrees upon graduates who meet the degree requirements.122 STAT. 4457“(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 National Defense Intelligence College 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 National Defense Intelligence College to award any new or existing degree.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 108 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 2161 and inserting the following new item: “2161. Degree granting authority for National Defense Intelligence College.”. (b) National Defense University.—(1) In general.—Section 2163 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 2163. Degree granting authority for National Defense University“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the President of the National Defense University may, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the National Defense University, 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; and122 STAT. 4458“(2) the National Defense University 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 National Defense University to award any new or existing degree.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 108 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 2163 and inserting the following new item: “2163. Degree granting authority for National Defense University.”. (c) United States Army Command and General Staff College.—(1) In general.—Section 4314 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 4314. Degree granting authority for United States Army Command and General Staff College“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army, the Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College may, upon the recommendation of the faculty and dean of the college, 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 United States Army Command and General Staff College 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, 122 STAT. 4459 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 United States Army Command and General Staff College to award any new or existing degree.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 401 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 4314 and inserting the following new item: “4314. Degree granting authority for United States Army Command and General Staff College.”. (d) United States Army War College.—(1) In general.—Section 4321 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:“§ 4321. Degree granting authority for United States Army War College“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army, the Commandant of the United States Army War College may, upon the recommendation of the faculty and dean of the college, 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 United States Army War College 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 122 STAT. 4460 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 United States Army War College to award any new or existing degree.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 401 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 4321 and inserting the following new item: “4321. Degree granting authority for United States Army War College.”. (e) United States Naval Postgraduate School.—(1) In general.—Section 7048 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 7048. 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.122 STAT. 4461“(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.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 605 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 7048 and inserting the following new item: “7048. Degree granting authority for United States Naval Postgraduate School.”. (f) Naval War College.—(1) In general.—Section 7101 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 7101. Degree granting authority for Naval War College“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy, the President of the Naval War College may, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the Naval War College components, 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 War College 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 122 STAT. 4462 a report containing an explanation of any action by the appropriate academic accrediting agency or organization not to accredit the Naval War College to award any new or existing degree.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 609 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 7101 and inserting the following new item: “7101. Degree granting authority for Naval War College.”. (g) Marine Corps University.—(1) In general.—Section 7102 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 7102. Degree granting authority for Marine Corps University“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy, the President of the Marine Corps University may, upon the recommendation of the directors and faculty of the Marine Corps University, 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 Marine Corps University 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 Marine Corps University to award any new or existing degree.“(d) Board of Advisors.—The Secretary of the Navy shall establish a board of advisors for the Marine Corps University. The Secretary shall ensure that the board is established so as to meet all requirements of the appropriate regional accrediting association.” .122 STAT. 4463(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 609 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 7102 and inserting the following new item: “7102. Degree granting authority for Marine Corps University.”. (h) United States Air Force Institute of Technology.—(1) In general.—Section 9314 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 9314. Degree granting authority for United States Air Force Institute of Technology“(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force, the commander of the Air University may, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the United States Air Force Institute of Technology, confer appropriate degrees upon graduates of the United States Air Force Institute of Technology 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 United States Air Force Institute of Technology 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 United States Air Force Institute of Technology to award any new or existing degree.“(d) Civilian Faculty.—(1) The Secretary of the Air Force may employ as many civilian faculty members at the United States Air Force Institute of Technology as is consistent with the needs of the Air Force and with Department of Defense personnel limits.“(2) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations determining—122 STAT. 4464 “(A) titles and duties of civilian members of the faculty; and“(B) pay of civilian members of the faculty, notwithstanding chapter 53 of title 5, but subject to the limitation set out in section 5373 of title 5.“(e) Reimbursement and Tuition.—(1) The Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of Homeland Security shall bear the cost of the instruction at the Air Force Institute of Technology that is received by members of the armed forces detailed for that instruction by the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Homeland Security, respectively.“(2) Members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard may only be detailed for instruction at the Institute on a space-available basis.“(3) In the case of an enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard permitted to receive instruction at the Institute, the Secretary of the Air Force shall charge that member only for such costs and fees as the Secretary considers appropriate (taking into consideration the admission of enlisted members on a space-available basis).“(f) Acceptance of Research Grants.—(1) The Secretary of the Air Force may authorize the Commandant of the United States Air Force Institute of Technology to accept qualifying research grants. Any such grant may only be accepted if the work under the grant is to be carried out by a professor or instructor of the Institute for a scientific, literary, or educational purpose.“(2) A qualifying research grant under this subsection is a grant that is awarded on a competitive basis by an entity referred to in paragraph (3) for a research project with a scientific, literary, or educational purpose.“(3) A grant may be accepted under this subsection only from a corporation, fund, foundation, educational institution, or similar entity that is organized and operated primarily for scientific, literary, or educational purposes.“(4) The Secretary shall establish an account for administering funds received as research grants under this section. The Commandant of the Institute shall use the funds in the account in accordance with applicable provisions of the regulations and the terms and condition of the grants received.“(5) Subject to such limitations as may be provided in appropriations Acts, appropriations available for the Institute may be used to pay expenses incurred by the Institute in applying for, and otherwise pursuing, the award of qualifying research grants.“(6) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this subsection.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 901 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 9314 and inserting the following new item: “9314. Degree granting authority for United States Air Force Institute of Technology.”. (i) Air University.—(1) In general.—Section 9317 of such title is amended to read as follows:122 STAT. 4465 “§ 9317. Degree granting authority for Air University“(a) Authority.—Except as provided in sections 9314 and 9315 of this title, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force, the commander of the Air University may, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the Air University components, 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 Air University 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 Air University to award any new or existing degree.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 901 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 9317 and inserting the following new item: “9317. Degree granting authority for Air University.”. (j) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to any degree granting authority established, modified, or redesignated on or after the date of enactment of this Act for an institution of professional military education referred to in such amendments.