WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25, 2026 – Late yesterday, a federal judge in Washington, DC blocked the Department of Education (ED) definition of “professional degree” that was set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Plaintiffs have shown that the Department of Education’s definition of professional degree is “likely contrary to law” as outlined in the Memorandum Opinion.

This court decision to provide preliminary relief was made in response to a lawsuit filed on May 18 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and an interprofessional group of national organizations representing nurses, teachers, therapists, and public health practitioners.

“AACN is encouraged by this initial action which supports our efforts to sustain federal funding for nursing students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees and to recognize nursing as a professional degree,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to keeping member schools, students, and colleagues updated as this legal action continues toward a final resolution.”

Background information on this case is available here. For more information on AACN’s efforts to have the ED recognize nursing as a professional degree, click here.

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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 health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice.

Contact

Robert Rosseter
rrosseter@aacnnursing.org
(202) 463-6930