Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 90 Part 2.djvu/918

 90 STAT. 2386

"Standard college degree." 38 USC 1770 et
 * 9'-

38 USC 1690, 1695. Study. 38 USC 1501 °®*®^^ use 1501, 1700 1770 38 USC 1673.

38 USC 1501 ^^^^-

PUBLIC LAW 94-502—OCT. 15, 1976 degree. When there is no State law to authorize the granting of a degree, the school may be recognized as an institution of higher learning if it is accredited for degree programs by a recognized accrediting agency. Such term shall also include a hospital offering educational programs at the postsecondary level without regard to whether the hospital grants a postsecondary degree. "(g) For the purposes of this chapter and chapter 36 of this title, the term 'standard college degree' means an associate or higher degree awarded by (1) an institution of higher learning that is accredited as a collegiate institution by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency; or (2) an institution of higher learning that is a 'candidate' for accreditation as that term is used by the regional or national accrediting agencies; or (3) an institution of higher learning upon completion of a course which is accredited by an agency recognized to accredit specialized degree-level programs. For the purpose of this section, the accrediting agency must be one recognized by the Commissioner of Education under the provisions of section 1775 of this title.". SEC. 203. Section 1661 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking out in the second sentence of subsection ^a) all after "period of" the second time it appears and inserting m lieu thereof "45 months (or the equivalent thereof in part-time educational assistance)."; and (2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: "(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) and in subchapters V and VI of this chapter, no eligible veteran shall receive educational assistance under this chapter in excess of 45 months.". SEC. 204. (a) The Administrator shall carry out a study of the vocational objective programs approved for the enrollment of veterans and other eligible persons under chapters 31, 34, 35, and 36 of title 38, United States Code. The study shall include the extent to which such programs are in compliance with the applicable provisions of such chapters particularly the requirements of section 1673(a)(2) of that title. (b) The findings and report of such study with respect to the provisions of section 1673(a)(2) of such title shall include, but shall not be limited to— (1) the number of veterans and institutions submitting justification asserting compliance with the requirements of such section and the extent to which any courses were challenged or disqualified by a State approving agency or by the Veterans' Administration; (2) the number of institutions and courses for which justification showing compliance with the requirements of such section was not submitted; (3) the number of courses for which justification showing compliance with the requirements of this section was submitted and actively reviewed by either the appropriate State approving agency or by the Veterans' Administration; (4) the extent to which courses subject to the requirements of such section have not been identified or surveyed; (5) the extent to which vocational objective programs have been converted to degree programs following enactment of Public Law 93-508; (6) information as to completion rates of those courses submitting placement reports pursuant to such section;

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