Federal Regulatory Definition of Professional Degree
The Department of Education's Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee needs to explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing programs in the regulatory definition of "professional degree programs" when creating rules to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
"Recognizing post-baccalaureate nursing education as a professional degree is critical to building a stronger health care workforce and preparing the next generation of nurses to meet the nation's needs. This designation affirms the vital role of advanced nursing education in all areas of nursing practice – clinical care delivery, academia and leadership. Without advanced nursing education funding, there is even greater risk of workforce shortages in an already strained environment as there will be fewer nurses entering and advancing within the profession.
With many advanced degree-seeking nursing students carrying significant loan debt, ensuring they receive the same recognition and resources as peers in other health disciplines is essential to a sustainable future for nursing. Failing to recognize nursing as a professional degree will severely restrict access to funding for graduate nursing education, undermining efforts to grow and sustain the nursing workforce."
AONL Position
AONL urges the Department to explicitly include post‑baccalaureate nursing degree programs—Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD in Nursing—within the definition of “professional degree” programs.
Why This Matters
Recognition as a professional degree program ensures that nursing students have access to the same federal funding opportunities as their peers in medicine, law, and other health professions. This is essential for:
- Building and sustaining the nursing workforce
- Reducing financial barriers to advanced nursing education
- Addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages
- Ensuring equitable treatment across health professions
Key Resources
- NCC Supports Nursing as a Professional Degree (PDF)
- AHA Fact Sheet (Coming Soon)
Featured Resource
Federal Student Loan Limits for Graduate and Professional Programs Factsheet
Download our latest factsheet detailing the proposed changes to federal student loan limits and how they impact the nursing workforce.