Back to News Policy Watch: Updates on Education Policy and AACN Advocacy Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | Policy & Advocacy Federal Policy Updates On August 25, AACN submitted comments to the Department of Education urging the Department to modernize the existing definition of “professional degree” under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing degrees. AACN also signed onto related communications issued by the Nursing Community Coalition and a broad coalition of healthcare providers and programs. On August 19, AACN joined a healthcare community sign-on letter to the leadership of the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees urging reauthorizing of Title VII Health Professions and Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs before the end of fiscal year 2025 on September 30. The Department of Education and federal partners issued guidance to help colleges and universities mitigate foreign threats to research. In Case You Missed It View AACN’s Guide to Advocacy Toolkit for more information on ways to engage with policymakers and champion academic nursing. View all updates from Policy Watch Please login or register to post comments.