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119-hr-6718119th CongressWALLET

Professional Student Degree Act

Sponsored By: Representative Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Introduced

Summary

Redefines which graduate programs count as "professional degrees" under the Higher Education Act. The bill would replace the current regulatory cross‑reference with a two-part statutory test and an explicit list of degree types, and it lets the Secretary of Education add other degrees that meet that test.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New professional-degree rules for students

If enacted, the bill would change how federal law defines a “professional degree.” It would remove the old regulatory cross-reference and add a two-part statutory test: the degree must prepare you for beginning practice in a field where licensure is common and show more training than a bachelor’s degree, as the Education Secretary decides. The bill also lists many specific degrees that would count (for example, M.D., J.D., Pharm.D., M.B.A., M.S.W., and others) and lets the Secretary add more. This change would take effect upon enactment and could change how colleges and student loan administrators classify some students for federal programs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

NY • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 4/23/2026

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 5/22/2026

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/10/2026

  • Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 6/10/2026

  • Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 6/11/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/11/2026

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 8/17/2026

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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