Cindi Hobbes • June 29, 2026

Federal Court Temporarily Blocks the Department of Education’s New Definition of a “Professional Degree”

Author

Cindi Hobbes

Date

June 29, 2026

Share

Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked a portion of the Department of Education’s narrowed definition of “professional degree” that was set to take effect on July 1, 2026, as part of its Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Final Rule. This was in response to a joint lawsuit filed by several trade associations of professions impacted by the rule.

The June 23 stay suspends the Department of Education's authority to implement the provisions until the court can fully decide the case on its substance in a full-merit hearing.


This has implications for students in or considering degree programs in these redefined categories as the rule may limit access to federal student loans to obtain these degrees.


Learn more:

National Council for Mental Wellbeing logo
By Richard Edley June 29, 2026
Dear Members, I’m pleased to announce the results of our Spring 2026 Board of Directors election and welcome our newly elected leaders. Our Board of Directors is composed of elected volunteers from the staff and community boards of member organizations across 10 regions of the U.S. Together, these leaders represent our membership and are committed to advancing excellence in mental health and substance use care. Eight of our 10 regions elected regional directors: Region 1: Karin Jeffers, president and CEO, Clinical & Support Options, Northampton, Massachusetts (re-elected to a second term) Region 2: Brandy Vandermark-Murray, president, Horizon Corporations, Getzville, New York (re-elected to a second term) Region 3: Stephen DaRe, president and CEO, Chimes International Limited, Baltimore, Maryland Region 5: Lisa Dominisse, CEO, Centerstone, Bloomington, Indiana (re-elected to a first full term) Region 6: Wayne Young, CEO, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, Houston, Texas Region 8: Victoria Romero, CEO, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group, Alamosa, Colorado Region 9: Ester Quilici, CEO, Vitality Unlimited, Elko, Nevada Region 10: Joan Miller, CEO, Washington Council for Behavioral Health, Seattle, Washington (re-elected to a second term) Three 100% association directors were elected: Vice Chair, Association Executives Committee: Melanie Brown-Woofter, President and CEO, Florida Behavioral Health Association, Tallahassee, Florida 100% Association Executives At-Large Representative: Richard Edley, President and CEO, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 100% Association Executives At-Large Representative: Alysia Smith Knight, Executive Director, Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations, Franklin, Tennessee These regional directors and Association Executives Committee members will begin their terms on July 1, 2026. We also want to recognize the following individuals — who will complete their terms as regional directors on June 30, 2026 — for their invaluable service: Region 6: Lee Johnson, CEO, Texas Council of Community Centers, Austin, Texas Region 9: Camille Schraeder, CEO, Full Circle Health Network, Ukiah, California On behalf of the National Council, thank you to our outgoing board members for their contributions, and congratulations to our newly elected leaders. We look forward to working together to strengthen mental health and substance use care in communities across the country. Regards, Chuck Ingoglia President and CEO National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Front view of the US Supreme Court building on a sunny day
By Fady Sahhar June 29, 2026
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a pair of challenges to Texas’s ban on paid voter assistance.
Person typing on laptop in dimly lit room, only shows hands on keyboard
By Cathy Barrick June 29, 2026
ODP has been made aware of a phishing attempt using the MyODP logo that asks to verify licensing information within 24 hours or your license will be revoked.