Narrowed Education Department definition of ‘professional’ degrees stopped in federal court

By: Shauneen Miranda

Outlets: DC Bureau (States Newsroom)

Published: June 25, 2026

Words: 593

Last Updated: 4 weeks ago

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WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education’s new definition of “professional” fields of study, which set stricter borrowing caps for graduate students pursuing certain degrees.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell specifically halts the department’s new definition of “professional” degrees, which was limited to 11 fields and would impose lower loan caps for groups not included in its definition, including nursing, teaching and social work.

The …

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