118 STAT. 471 PUBLIC LAW 108–201—FEB. 24, 2004 a creative or scientific nature, where the knowledge required to perform the work successfully is acquired typically and pri marily through graduate study. ‘‘(b) The Administration may appoint, without regard to the provisions of section 3304(b) and sections 3309 through 3318, but subject to subsection (c), candidates directly to General Schedule professional, competitive service positions in the Administration for which public notice has been given (in accordance with regula tions of the Office of Personnel Management), if— ‘‘(1) with respect to a position at the GS–7 level, the individual— ‘‘(A) received, within 2 years before the effective date of the appointment, from an accredited institution author ized to grant baccalaureate degrees, a baccalaureate degree in a field of study for which possession of that degree in conjunction with academic achievements meets the quali fication standards as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for the position to which the individual is being appointed; and ‘‘(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for courses in the field of study required to qualify for the position; ‘‘(2) with respect to a position at the GS–9 level, the individual— ‘‘(A) received, within 2 years before the effective date of the appointment, from an accredited institution author ized to grant graduate degrees, a graduate degree in a field of study for which possession of that degree meets the qualification standards at this grade level as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for the position to which the individual is being appointed; and ‘‘(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate coursework in the field of study required for the position; ‘‘(3) with respect to a position at the GS–11 level, the individual— ‘‘(A) received, within 2 years before the effective date of the appointment, from an accredited institution author ized to grant graduate degrees, a graduate degree in a field of study for which possession of that degree meets the qualification standards at this grade level as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for the position to which the individual is being appointed; and ‘‘(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate coursework in the field of study required for the position; or ‘‘(4) with respect to a research position at the GS–12 level, the individual— ‘‘(A) received, within 2 years before the effective date of the appointment, from an accredited institution author ized to grant graduate degrees, a graduate degree in a field of study for which possession of that degree meets the qualification standards at this grade level as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for the position to which the individual is being appointed; and
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