Last Updated: November 17, 2025
It is still unclear whether a given program counts as “professional” or "non-professional". The regulatory definition is somewhat broad.
A graduate non-professional program is typically a post-bachelor’s program that is oriented toward advanced academic study or research, like a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), PhD, EdD.
A professional program typically signals beginning practice in a profession (after the degree the graduate is ready to enter the profession) and requires a skill level above what's needed for a bachelor's degree and a lot of the time involves licensure, like Law (JD), Medicine (MD/DO) Dentistry (DDS/DMD), etc.