Architecture Degrees Under Review in Proposed Federal Rule

A proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Education would remove the professional degree designation from Master of Architecture and Doctor of Architecture programs, limiting federal student loans for architecture students to $20,500 per year.

American Institute of Architects (AIA) has voiced strong opposition to the proposal, citing concerns about reduced access to architectural education—particularly for students from lower- and middle-income backgrounds who may lack alternative financing options.

In a November statement submitted during pre-publication review, AIA raised objections to the rule alongside nearly 70 organizations representing hundreds of thousands of students and professionals. According to AIA, the published proposal disregards those concerns and reflects what it describes as a misinterpretation of congressional intent by redefining which degrees qualify as “professional.”

“Restricting ‘professional’ degrees to a predetermined list will reduce accessibility to advanced architecture diplomas for many qualified students,” says Illya Azaroff, FAIA, 2026 AIA president. He adds that architecture, along with other excluded fields, meets any reasonable  definition of a profession under existing federal law.

AIA warns that limiting federal aid levels that do not reflect the cost of professional education could force students to take on private debt or leave programs before completion, weakening the pipeline of future architects.

“Architects design housing, schools, hospitals, and critical public infrastructure,” says Carole Wedge, FAIA, EVP, CEO of AIA. “Ensuring access to affordable federal student financing is essential to maintaining a strong and diverse workforce.”