- [§ 2161. Repealed.
- § 2162. Preparation of budget requests for operation of professional military education schools
- § 2163. Degree granting authority for National Defense University
- § 2164. Department of Defense domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools
- § 2164a. Rights of parents of children attending schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity
- § 2165. National Defense University: component institutions
- [§ 2166. Renumbered § 343]
- § 2167. National Defense University: admission of private sector civilians to professional military education program
- § 2167a. Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy: admission of private sector civilians to receive instruction
- § 2168. Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center: degree of Associate or Bachelor of Arts in foreign language
- § 2169. School of Nursing: establishment
[§ 2161. Repealed. Pub. L. 116–92, div. E, title LIII, § 5324(e)(1), formerly § 5324(g)(1), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2137, renumbered § 5324(e)(1), Pub. L. 116–260, div. W, title III, § 305(c)(3), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2367]
§ 2162. Preparation of budget requests for operation of professional military education schools
(a)Uniform Cost Accounting.—The Secretary of Defense, with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall promulgate a uniform cost accounting system for use by the Secretaries of the military departments in preparing budget requests for the operation of professional military education schools.
(b)Preparation of Budget Requests.—
(1) Amounts requested for a fiscal year for the operation of each professional military education school shall be set forth as a separate budget request in the materials submitted by the Secretary of Defense to Congress in support of the budget request for the Department of Defense.
(2) As executive agent for funding professional development education at the National Defense University, including the Joint Forces Staff College, the Secretary of Defense, with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall prepare the annual budget for professional development education operations at the National Defense University and set forth that request as a separate budget request in the materials submitted to Congress in support of the budget request for the Department of Defense. Nothing in the preceding sentence affects policies in effect on December 28, 2001, with respect to budgeting for the funding of logistical and base operations support for components of the National Defense University through the military departments.
(3) The Secretary of a military department preparing a budget request for a professional military education school shall carefully consider the views of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, particularly with respect to the amount of the request for the operation of the schools of the National Defense University and the joint professional military education curricula of the other professional military education schools.
(c)Comparison of Budget Requests.—Materials prepared in support of the budget request for a professional military education school shall describe whether the amount requested for that school is comparable to the amounts requested for other professional military education schools, taking into consideration the size and activities of the schools.
(d)Professional Military Education Schools.—This section applies to each of the following professional military education schools:
(1) The National Defense University.
(2) The Army War College.
(3) The College of Naval Warfare.
(4) The Air War College.
(5) The United States Army Command and General Staff College.
(6) The College of Naval Command and Staff.
(7) The Air Command and Staff College.
(8) The Marine Corps University.
(Added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title IX, § 911(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1625; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title IX, § 921(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1862; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 527(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1102; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, § 1062(a)(7), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2650.)
§ 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; and
(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)
(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.
(Added Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title IX, § 922(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1730; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 521(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3239; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title V, § 526(a), (b)(1), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 104, 105; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, § 543(b)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4457.)
§ 2164. Department of Defense domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools
(a)Authority of Secretary.—
(1) If the Secretary of Defense makes a determination that appropriate educational programs are not available through a local educational agency for dependents of members of the armed forces and dependents of civilian employees of the Federal Government residing on a military installation in the United States (including territories, commonwealths, and possessions of the United States), the Secretary may enter into arrangements to provide for the elementary or secondary education of the dependents of such members of the armed forces and, to the extent authorized in subsection (c), the dependents of such civilian employees.
(2) The Secretary may, at the discretion of the Secretary, permit dependents of members of the armed forces and, to the extent provided in subsection (c), dependents of civilian employees of the Federal Government residing in a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States but not on a military installation, to enroll in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection. If a member of the armed forces is assigned to a remote location or is assigned to an unaccompanied tour of duty, a dependent of the member who resides, on or off a military installation, in a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States, as authorized by the member’s orders, may be enrolled in an educational program provided by the Secretary under this subsection.
(3)
(A) Under the circumstances described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may, at the discretion of the Secretary, permit a dependent of a member of the armed forces to enroll in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection without regard to the requirement in paragraph (1) with respect to residence on a military installation.
(B) Subparagraph (A) applies only if—
(i) the dependents reside in temporary housing (regardless of whether the temporary housing is on Federal property)—(I) because of the unavailability of adequate permanent living quarters on the military installation to which the member is assigned; or(II) while the member is wounded, ill, or injured; and
(ii) the Secretary determines that the circumstances of such living arrangements justify extending the enrollment authority to include the dependents.
(b)Factors for Secretary To Consider.—
(1) Factors to be considered by the Secretary of Defense in making a determination under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(A) The extent to which such dependents are eligible for free public education in the local area adjacent to the military installation.
(B) The extent to which the local educational agency is able to provide an appropriate educational program for such dependents.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), an appropriate educational program is a program that, as determined by the Secretary, is comparable to a program of free public education provided for children by the following local educational agencies:
(A) In the case of a military installation located in a State (other than an installation referred to in subparagraph (B)), local educational agencies in the State that are similar to the local educational agency referred to in paragraph (1)(B).
(B) In the case of a military installation with boundaries contiguous to two or more States, local educational agencies in the contiguous States that are similar to the local educational agency referred to in paragraph (1)(B).
(C) In the case of a military installation located in a territory, commonwealth, or possession, the District of Columbia public schools, except that an educational program determined comparable under this subparagraph may be considered appropriate for the purposes of paragraph (1)(B) only if the program is conducted in the English language.
(c)Eligibility of Dependents of Federal Employees.—
(1)
(A) A dependent of a Federal employee residing in permanent living quarters on a military installation at any time during the school year may enroll in an educational program provided by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to subsection (a) for dependents residing on such installation.
(B) A dependent of a United States Customs Service employee who resides in Puerto Rico, but not on a military installation, may enroll in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) in Puerto Rico in accordance with the same rules as apply to a dependent of a Federal employee residing in permanent living quarters on a military installation.
(2)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), a dependent of a Federal employee who is enrolled in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) and who is not residing on a military installation may be enrolled in the program for not more than five consecutive school years.
(B) At the discretion of the Secretary, a dependent referred to in subparagraph (A) may be enrolled in the program for more than five consecutive school years if the dependent is otherwise qualified for enrollment, space is available in the program, and the Secretary will be reimbursed for the educational services provided. Any such extension shall cover only one school year at a time.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual who is a dependent of a Federal employee in the excepted service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5) and who is enrolled in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) in Puerto Rico, Wake Island, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands.
(D) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a dependent covered by paragraph (1)(B). No requirement under this paragraph for reimbursement for educational services provided for the dependent shall apply with respect to the dependent, except that the Secretary may require the United States Customs Service to reimburse the Secretary for the cost of the educational services provided for the dependent.
(d)School Boards.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall provide for the establishment of a school board for Department of Defense elementary and secondary schools established at each military installation under this section. The Secretary may provide for the establishment of one school board for all such schools in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and one school board for all such schools in Guam instead of one school board for each military installation in those locations.
(2) The school board shall be composed of the number of members, not fewer than three, prescribed by the Secretary.
(3) The parents of the students attending the school shall elect the school board in accordance with procedures which the Secretary shall prescribe.
(4)
(A) A school board elected for a school under this subsection may participate in the development and oversight of fiscal, personnel, and educational policies, procedures, and programs for the school, except that the Secretary may issue any directive that the Secretary considers necessary for the effective operation of the school or the entire school system.
(B) A directive referred to in subparagraph (A) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be issued only after the Secretary consults with the appropriate school boards elected under this subsection. The Secretary shall establish a process by which a school board or school administrative officials may formally appeal the directive to the Secretary of Defense.
(5) Meetings conducted by the school board shall be open to the public, except as provided in paragraph (6).
(6) A school board need not comply with the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, but may close meetings in accordance with chapter 10 of title 5.
(7) The Secretary may provide for reimbursement of a school board member for expenses incurred by the member for travel, transportation, lodging, meals, program fees, activity fees, and other appropriate expenses that the Secretary determines are reasonable and necessary for the performance of school board duties by the member.
(e)Administration and Staff.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may enter into such arrangements as may be necessary to provide educational programs at the school.
(2) The Secretary may, without regard to the provisions of any other law relating to the number, classification, or compensation of employees—
(A) establish positions for civilian employees in schools established under this section;
(B) appoint individuals to such positions; and
(C) fix the compensation of such individuals for service in such positions.
(3)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in fixing the compensation of employees appointed for a school pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consider—
(i) the compensation of comparable employees of the local educational agency in the capital of the State where the military installation is located;
(ii) the compensation of comparable employees in the local educational agency that provides public education to students who reside adjacent to the military installation; and
(iii) the average compensation for similar positions in not more than three other local educational agencies in the State in which the military installation is located.
(B) In fixing the compensation of employees in schools established in the territories, commonwealths, and possessions pursuant to the authority of this section, the Secretary shall determine the level of compensation required to attract qualified employees. For employees in such schools, the Secretary, without regard to the provisions of title 5, may provide for the tenure, leave, hours of work, and other incidents of employment to be similar to that provided for comparable positions in the public schools of the District of Columbia. For purposes of the first sentence, a school established before the effective date of this section pursuant to authority similar to the authority in this section shall be considered to have been established pursuant to the authority of this section.
(4)
(A) The Secretary may, without regard to the provisions of any law relating to the number, classification, or compensation of employees—
(i) transfer employees from schools established under this section to schools in the defense dependents’ education system in order to provide the services referred to in subparagraph (B) to such system; and
(ii) transfer employees from such system to schools established under this section in order to provide such services to those schools.
(B) The services referred to in subparagraph (A) are the following:
(i) Administrative services.
(ii) Logistical services.
(iii) Personnel services.
(iv) Such other services as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(C) Transfers under this paragraph shall extend for such periods as the Secretary considers appropriate. The Secretary shall provide appropriate compensation for employees so transferred.
(D) The Secretary may provide that the transfer of an employee under this paragraph occur without reimbursement of the school or system concerned.
(E) In this paragraph, the term “defense dependents’ education system” means the program established and operated under section 1402(a) of the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921(a)).
(f)Substantive and Procedural Rights and Protections for Children.—
(1) The Secretary shall provide the following substantive rights, protections, and procedural safeguards (including due process procedures) in the educational programs provided for under this section:
(A) In the case of children with disabilities aged 3 to 5, inclusive, all substantive rights, protections, and procedural safeguards (including due process procedures) available to children with disabilities aged 3 to 5, inclusive, under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.).
(B) In the case of infants or toddlers with disabilities, all substantive rights, protections, and procedural safeguards (including due process procedures) available to infants or toddlers with disabilities under part C of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.).
(C) In the case of all other children with disabilities, all substantive rights, protections, and procedural safeguards (including due process procedures) available to children with disabilities who are 3 to 5 years old under part B of such Act.
(2) Paragraph (1) may not be construed as diminishing for children with disabilities enrolled in day educational programs provided for under this section the extent of substantive rights, protections, and procedural safeguards that were available under section 6(a) of Public Law 81–874 (20 U.S.C. 241(a)) to children with disabilities as of October 7, 1991.
(3) In this subsection:
(A) The term “children with disabilities” has the meaning given the term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401).
(B) The term “infants or toddlers with disabilities” has the meaning given the term in section 632 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1432).
(g)Reimbursement.—When the Secretary of Defense provides educational services under this section to an individual who is a dependent of an employee of a Federal agency outside the Department of Defense, the head of the other Federal agency shall, upon request of the Secretary of Defense, reimburse the Secretary for those services at rates routinely prescribed by the Secretary for those services. Any payments received by the Secretary under this subsection shall be credited to the account designated by the Secretary for the operation of educational programs under this section.
(h)Continuation of Enrollment Despite Change in Status.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall permit a dependent of a member of the armed forces or a dependent of a Federal employee to continue enrollment in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) for the remainder of a school year notwithstanding a change during such school year in the status of the member or Federal employee that, except for this paragraph, would otherwise terminate the eligibility of the dependent to be enrolled in the program.
(2) The Secretary may, for good cause, authorize a dependent of a member of the armed forces or a dependent of a Federal employee to continue enrollment in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) notwithstanding a change in the status of the member or employee that, except for this paragraph, would otherwise terminate the eligibility of the dependent to be enrolled in the program. The enrollment may continue for as long as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not limit the authority of the Secretary to remove a dependent from enrollment in an educational program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) at any time for good cause determined by the Secretary.
(i)American Red Cross Employee Dependents in Puerto Rico.—
(1) The Secretary may authorize the dependent of an American Red Cross employee described in paragraph (2) to enroll in an education program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) in Puerto Rico if the American Red Cross agrees to reimburse the Secretary for the educational services so provided.
(2) An employee referred to in paragraph (1) is an American Red Cross employee who—
(A) resides in Puerto Rico; and
(B) performs, on a full-time basis, emergency services on behalf of members of the armed forces.
(3) In determining the dependency status of any person for the purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall apply the same definitions as apply to the determination of such status with respect to Federal employees in the administration of this section.
(4) Subsection (g) shall apply with respect to determining the reimbursement rates for educational services provided pursuant to this subsection. Amounts received as reimbursement for such educational services shall be treated in the same manner as amounts received under subsection (g).
(j)Tuition-free Enrollment of Dependents of Foreign Military Personnel Residing on Domestic Military Installations and Dependents of Certain Deceased Members of the Armed Forces.—
(1) The Secretary may authorize the enrollment in a Department of Defense education program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of a dependent not otherwise eligible for such enrollment who is the dependent of an individual described in paragraph (2). Enrollment of such a dependent shall be on a tuition-free basis.
(2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is any of the following:
(A) A member of a foreign armed force residing on a military installation in the United States (including territories, commonwealths, and possessions of the United States).
(B) A deceased member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty in a combat-related operation, as designated by the Secretary.
(k)Enrollment of Relocated Defense Dependents’ Education System Students.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may authorize the enrollment in a Department of Defense education program provided by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of a dependent of a member of the armed forces or a dependent of a Federal employee who is enrolled in the defense dependents’ education system established under section 1402 of the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921) if—
(A) the dependents departed the overseas location as a result of a evacuation order;
(B) the designated safe haven of the dependent is located within reasonable commuting distance of a school operated by the Department of Defense education program; and
(C) the school possesses the capacity and resources necessary to enable the student to attend the school.
(2) Unless waived by the Secretary of Defense, a dependent described in paragraph (1) who is enrolled in a school operated by the Department of Defense education program pursuant to such paragraph may attend the school only through the end of the school year.
(l)Enrollment in Virtual Elementary and Secondary Education Program.—
(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary may authorize the enrollment in the virtual elementary and secondary education program established as a component of the Department of Defense education program of a dependent of a member of the armed forces on active duty who—
(A) is enrolled in an elementary or secondary school operated by a local educational agency or another accredited educational program in the United States (other than a school operated by the Department of Defense education program); and
(B) immediately before such enrollment, was enrolled in the defense dependents’ education system established under section 1402 of the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921).
(2) Enrollment of a dependent described in paragraph (1) pursuant to such paragraph shall be on a tuition basis.
(3) Any payments received by the Secretary of Defense under this subsection shall be credited to the account designated by the Secretary for the operation of the virtual educational program under this subsection. Payments so credited shall be merged with other funds in the account and shall be available, to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts, for the same purposes and the same period as other funds in the account.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title III, § 351(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2727; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1075, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 450; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XVI, § 1608, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2737; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title III, § 371(a)–(c)(2), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 1988, 1989; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title III, §§ 352, 353, Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 572; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title III, § 361], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–76; Pub. L. 108–446, title III, § 305(a), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2804; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 534, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2292; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 561, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4221; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, § 565, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1749; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title V, § 553(a), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(52), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4311.)
§ 2164a. Rights of parents of children attending schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity
(a)In General.—The parent of a child who attends a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity has the following rights:
(1) The right to review the curriculum of the school.
(2) The right to be informed if the school or the Department of Defense Education Activity alters the school’s academic standards or learning benchmarks.
(3) The right to meet with each teacher of their child not less than twice during each school year.
(4) The right to review all instructional materials used by their students.
(5) The right to inspect a list of the books and other reading materials contained in the library of the school.
(6) The right to address the school advisory committee or the school board.
(7) The right to data about the school’s discipline policy and any disciplinary action that results in a suspension or expulsion from the school, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law.
(8) The right to information about any plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs or accelerated coursework at the school.
(b)Disclosures and Notifications.—Consistent with the parental rights specified in subsection (a) and except as provided by subsection (c), a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity shall—
(1) post on a publicly accessible website of the school—
(A) the curriculum for each course and grade level;
(B) the academic standards or other learning benchmarks used by the school; and
(C) notice of any proposed revisions to such standards or benchmarks and a copy of any such revisions;
(2) provide the parent of a child attending the school with—
(A) the opportunity to meet in person with each teacher of their child not less frequently than twice during each school year at a time mutually agreed upon by both parties; and
(B) notice of such opportunity at the beginning of each school year;
(3) provide parents access to the online school library catalog;
(4) notify parents in a timely manner of any plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs or accelerated coursework at the school;
(5) except as provided by paragraph (6) or subsection (c), notify parents of any medical examinations or screenings the school may administer to their child and receive written consent from parents for any such examination or screening prior to conducting the examination or screening;
(6) in the event of an emergency that requires a medical examination or screening without time for parental notification, promptly notify parents of such examination or screening and provide an explanation of the emergency that prevented notification prior to such examination or screening; and
(7) notify parents of any medical information that will be collected on their child, receive written parental consent prior to collecting such information, and provide parents an opportunity to inspect such information at the parent’s request.
(c)Exceptions.—
(1) Paragraph (5) of subsection (a) and paragraph (3) of subsection (b) shall not be effective until the day that is two years after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
(2) A requirement set forth in subsection (b) shall not apply in a case in which the requirement would violate any applicable provision of a Federal or State statute or regulation.
(d)School Advisory Committees and Boards.—Not less frequently than four times per year, a school advisory committee or school board for a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity shall provide parents of children attending the school with the opportunity to address the advisory committee or school board on any matters relating to the school or the educational services provided to their children.
(e)Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term “medical examination or screening”—
(A) means a physical examination provided by a health care provider; and
(B) does not include an evaluation by, or an encounter with, non-clinical school staff.
(2) The term “school” means—
(A) a Department of Defense domestic dependent elementary or secondary school, as described in section 2164 of this title; or
(B) any elementary or secondary school or program for dependents operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, § 589(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 284.)
§ 2165. National Defense University: component institutions
(a)In General.—There is a National Defense University in the Department of Defense.
(b)Component Institutions.—The National Defense University consists of the following institutions:
(1) The National War College.
(2) The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.
(3) The Joint Forces Staff College.
(4) The Institute for National Strategic Studies.
(5) The College of Information and Cyberspace.
(6) The College of International Security Affairs.
(7) Any other educational institution of the Department of Defense that the Secretary considers appropriate and designates as an institution of the university.
[(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 904(b)(2)(B), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2353.]
(d)Source of Funds for Professional Development Education Operations.—Funding for the professional development education operations of the National Defense University shall be provided from funds made available to the Secretary of Defense from the annual appropriation “Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide”.
(e)Acceptance of Faculty Research Grants.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may authorize the President of the National Defense University 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 one of the institutions comprising the University 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 subsection. The President of the University 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 National Defense University may be used to pay expenses incurred by the University in applying for, and otherwise pursuing, the award of qualifying research grants.
(6) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this subsection.
(f)Cooperative Research and Development Agreements.—
(1) In engaging in research and development projects pursuant to subsection (a) of section 4001 of this title by a contract, cooperative agreement, or grant pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of such section, the Secretary may enter into such contract or cooperative agreement or award such grant through the National Defense University.
(2) The National Defense University shall be considered a Government-operated Federal laboratory for purposes of section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a).
(Added and amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title IX, §§ 921(a)(1), 922(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1862, 1863; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title IX, §§ 904, 905(a), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2093; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title IX, § 913(b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–230; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 527(c)(1), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1102; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 522(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3240; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 904(b)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2353; Pub. L. 112–81, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2861(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1701; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title II, § 214(a), title XVI, § 1648(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2048, 2606; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1841(e)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title IX, § 912, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 365.)
[§ 2166. Renumbered § 343]
§ 2167. National Defense University: admission of private sector civilians to professional military education program
(a)Authority for Admission.—The Secretary of Defense may permit eligible private sector employees who work in organizations relevant to national security to receive instruction at the National Defense University in accordance with this section. No more than the equivalent of 35 full-time student positions may be filled at any one time by private sector employees enrolled under this section. Upon successful completion of the course of instruction in which enrolled, any such private sector employee may be awarded an appropriate diploma or degree under section 2165 of this title.
(b)Eligible Private Sector Employees.—For purposes of this section, an eligible private sector employee is an individual employed by a private firm that is engaged in providing to the Department of Defense or other Government departments or agencies significant and substantial defense-related systems, products, or services or whose work product is relevant to national security policy or strategy. A private sector employee admitted for instruction at the National Defense University remains eligible for such instruction only so long as that person remains employed by the same firm.
(c)Annual Certification by Secretary of Defense.—Private sector employees may receive instruction at the National Defense University during any academic year only if, before the start of that academic year, the Secretary of Defense determines, and certifies to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, that providing instruction to private sector employees under this section during that year will further national security interests of the United States.
(d)Program Requirements.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that—
(1) the curriculum for the professional military education program in which private sector employees may be enrolled under this section is not readily available through other schools and concentrates on national security relevant issues; and
(2) the course offerings at the National Defense University continue to be determined solely by the needs of the Department of Defense.
(e)Tuition.—The President of the National Defense University shall charge students enrolled under this section a rate—
(1) that is at least the rate charged for employees of the United States outside the Department of Defense, less infrastructure costs, and
(2) that considers the value to the school and course of the private sector student.
(f)Standards of Conduct.—While receiving instruction at the National Defense University, students enrolled under this section, to the extent practicable, are subject to the same regulations governing academic performance, attendance, norms of behavior, and enrollment as apply to Government civilian employees receiving instruction at the university.
(g)Use of Funds.—Amounts received by the National Defense University for instruction of students enrolled under this section shall be retained by the university to defray the costs of such instruction. The source, and the disposition, of such funds shall be specifically identified in records of the university.
(Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 528(a)(1), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1102; amended Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 526, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2288; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 592, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4232.)
§ 2167a. Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy: admission of private sector civilians to receive instruction
(a)Authority for Admission.—The Secretary of Defense may permit eligible private sector employees to receive instruction at the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy operating under the direction of the Defense Cyber Crime Center. No more than the equivalent of 200 full-time student positions may be filled at any one time by private sector employees enrolled under this section, on a yearly basis. Upon successful completion of the course of instruction in which enrolled, any such private sector employee may be awarded an appropriate certification or diploma.
(b)Eligible Private Sector Employees.—For purposes of this section, an eligible private sector employee is an individual employed by a private firm that is engaged in providing to the Department of Defense or other Government departments or agencies significant and substantial defense-related systems, products, or services, or whose work product is relevant to national security policy or strategy. A private sector employee remains eligible for such instruction only so long as that person remains employed by an eligible private sector firm.
(c)Program Requirements.—
(1) the curriculum in which private sector employees may be enrolled under this section is not readily available through other schools; and
(2) the course offerings at the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy continue to be determined solely by the needs of the Department of Defense.
(d)Tuition.—The Secretary of Defense shall charge private sector employees enrolled under this section tuition at a rate that is at least equal to the rate charged for employees of the United States. In determining tuition rates, the Secretary shall include overhead costs of the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy.
(e)Standards of Conduct.—While receiving instruction at the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy, students enrolled under this section, to the extent practicable, are subject to the same regulations governing academic performance, attendance, norms of behavior, and enrollment as apply to Government civilian employees receiving instruction at the Academy.
(f)Use of Funds.—Amounts received by the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy for instruction of students enrolled under this section shall be retained by the Academy to defray the costs of such instruction. The source, and the disposition, of such funds shall be specifically identified in records of the Academy.
(Added Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title IX, § 901(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2422.)
§ 2168. Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center: degree of Associate or Bachelor of Arts in foreign language
(a) Subject to subsection (b), the Commandant of the Defense Language Institute may confer—
(1) an Associate of Arts degree in a foreign language upon any graduate of the Foreign Language Center of the Institute who fulfills the requirements for that degree; or
(2) a Bachelor of Arts degree in a foreign language upon any graduate of the Foreign Language Center of the Institute who fulfills the requirements for that degree.
(b) A degree may be conferred upon a student under this section only if the Provost of the Center certifies to the Commandant that the student has satisfied all the requirements prescribed for the degree.
(c) The authority provided by subsection (a) shall be exercised under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 531(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1104; amended Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, § 556(a), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1739.)
§ 2169. School of Nursing: establishment
(a)Establishment Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense may establish a School of Nursing.
(b)Degree Granting Authority.—The School of Nursing may include a program that awards a bachelor of science in nursing.
(c)Phased Development.—The Secretary of Defense may develop the School of Nursing in phases as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 525(a)(2), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2286.)