Social work groups urge the U.S. Dept. of Education to keep clinical social work as a professional degree to protect mental health care standards and access.

On February 28, 2026, social work organizations urged the U.S. Department of Education to maintain the professional degree classification for clinical social work, warning that proposed changes could weaken standards, reduce access to qualified mental health providers, and harm public safety. The Society for Transplant Social Work also supported reclassifying social work as a professional degree, citing advanced training and critical healthcare roles. Meanwhile, the American Association of Suicidology opposed a broader proposal to declassify nursing, social work, and counseling degrees, arguing it could jeopardize mental health services and federal support. The Department of Education is reviewing the issue with final decisions pending.