Bill · H.R. 6718· House(119-HR-6718)
Professional Student Degree Act
- Introduced
- 12/15/2025
- Last activity
- 12/15/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Lawler
- Cosponsors
- - 17 - 10
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Professional Student Degree Act," aims to amend the definition of a professional degree within the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to remove existing references to the definition found under title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Instead, it introduces a new specific definition for a professional degree. This new definition requires the degree to signify completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession that commonly requires licensure and demonstrates a level of skill beyond a bachelor's degree. The bill also provides an extensive list of specific degrees that would fall under this new definition.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would students be better off under this?+2
The bill provides greater clarity and a more comprehensive list of degrees categorized as professional degrees.
Would high-income households be better off under this?+1
The expanded definition includes several high-level professional degree types common among high earners.
Does this make college cost less?+1
The bill provides a more specific and expanded definition of professional degrees within the Higher Education Act.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clearer Definition of Professional Degrees: By establishing a specific definition in Section 2, the bill provides clarity on what constitutes a professional degree, which includes degrees that signify completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession where licensure is commonly required.
-
Inclusion of Specific Degree Types: The bill explicitly includes a wide range of professional fields in Section 2, such as:
- Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.)
- Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
- Law (L.L.B. or J.D.)
- Medicine (M.D.)
- And many others including Business Administration, Education, and Nursing.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Secretary Discretion: Under Section 2, the determination of whether a degree signifies a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor's degree, or whether a degree meets the requirements for inclusion, is left to the determination of the Secretary.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+2Good For High Income Households+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- 9/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/10/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Robert BresnahanRepublican · Pennsylvania
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Andrew GarbarinoRepublican · New York
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Dusty JohnsonRepublican · South Dakota
Young KimRepublican · California
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Darin LaHoodRepublican · Illinois
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey
Derrick Van OrdenRepublican · Wisconsin
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia