Department of Education Adds Nursing Degrees to Its Interim List of Professional Degree Programs

Newswise (06/30/26)

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released an interim list of professional degree programs that includes certain post-baccalaureate nursing degrees: MSN, DNP and DNAP. The decision follows a recent court ruling that partially stayed its professional degree definition after legal action by American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and other organizations. While these degrees will temporarily be treated as “professional” for federal student loan limit purposes during the litigation, the list notably excludes the PhD in nursing, drawing criticism from AACN leadership. They warn this omission could negatively affect the pipeline of nurse scientists and faculty. The ED emphasized that the interim designations are subject to change as the case proceeds, and additional guidance for students and borrowers is available through StudentAid.gov.

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