Nursing is a Professional Degree Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to specifically include nursing degrees as ‘professional degrees.’ Currently, the definition of a professional degree was reliant on a specific regulation, which this bill clarifies to explicitly encompass degrees like nursing (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D.) alongside other professions requiring licensure. The goal is to ensure that nursing programs are recognized as meeting the criteria for professional degrees under federal education law. This change impacts students pursuing advanced nursing degrees and the recognition of those degrees.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘professional degree’ to include nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D.).
- Specifically lists nursing as a professional degree.
- Clarifies the definition of ‘professional degree’ within the Higher Education Act.
- Expands the list of professions considered to have ‘professional degrees’ under federal law.
- Removes reliance on a specific regulation for defining professional degrees.
Who is affected
- Nursing students
- Nursing programs
- Higher education institutions
- Students pursuing professional degrees
- The Department of Education
Notable changes
- Explicitly includes nursing degrees in the definition of ‘professional degree.’
- Replaces a reference to a specific regulation with a direct definition.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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8 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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