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

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2026 – In response to legal action taken by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and a coalition of national healthcare and higher education organizations, the Department of Education (ED) released an interim list of professional degree programs on June 29 that includes post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, and DNAP). Notably, the professional degrees identified did not include the PhD in nursing.

In its announcement made through the Office of Federal Student Aid, the ED issued this update in response to a DC court ruling on June 24 that stayed part of its professional degree definition. For the duration of the stay, the Department will treat the specific nursing degrees identified as “professional” for the purpose of administering statutory loan limits. The ED states that, “these interim administrative designations are provided solely to facilitate implementation of the court’s order and may change as litigation in the case proceeds.’’

"The Department of Education has taken an important step by providing relief for thousands of graduate nursing students preparing to meet our nation's healthcare needs,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The exclusion of PhD nursing programs from the list of professional degrees is deeply disappointing and a threat to the nation’s supply of nurse scientists and faculty. AACN urges the Department to correct this omission as the work to establish a final list of professional degrees continues."

Information for students and borrowers about the preliminary court order is available at StudentAid.gov. This page features updates on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, definitions of key terms and concepts, commonly asked questions, and Borrower Scenarios for students and parents.

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The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 890 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve healthcare, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice.