June 29, 2026
Update on Oct. 23, 2026: On June 29, 2026, the Department published the list of Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Codes that are designated as professional degree-awarding programs. The Department is updating the list of Professional Degree programs to include the 6-digit CIP code (51.3303) for the Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.) to include any program within the same four-digit CIP code, as assigned by the institution or determined by the Secretary, provided it awards the same credential. This update is a result of the preliminary injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in case No. 26-1599. N.D. and N.M.D. programs will be considered professional degrees under 34 CFR 685.102, until further guidance is provided.
Update on July 10, 2026: On June 29, 2026, the Department published the list of Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Codes that are designated as professional degree-awarding programs. The Department is now providing additional clarity that the 6-digit CIP codes for the Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (MSN) (51.3801) and Nursing Practice (DNP) (51.3818) include any program within the same four-digit CIP code, as assigned by the institution or determined by the Secretary, provided it awards the same credential. We are also amending the Clinical Psychology program (42.2801) to include the Ph.D. designation, which was inadvertently not included in the initial list.