Debate grows over whether some degrees should keep professionalclassification

By: Alexis Freeman

Courtesy of Adobe Express

A proposed policy by the U.S. The Department of Education's decision to redefine which

graduate degrees would be deemed “professional” has set off a wave of controversy from

nursing, architects, educators, etc, who warn this change could sharply limit federal loan access for their programs. Under this draft, advanced nursing degrees, which include master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and other clinical doctorates, may no longer be classified as “professional degree” programs.

Education and architecture degrees could face the same exclusions. If this ends up being

finalized, the change date would go into effect on July 1, 2026. The proposal was detailed in the Department’s notice of proposed rule-making, which links “professional” status to eligibility for a higher federal loan cap.

The practical impact is significant: borrowers in degrees that would still be classified as

“professional” would be able to retain access to a $50,00-per-year borrowing limit, while those in programs reclassified as non-professional may be capped at just $20,500 annually, according to coverage of the rule.

This proposed redefinition has drawn strong objections from the nursing field, who say that this change will cause more harm than good. “With this change in place, it will impact patient care and safety as well as the ability to be educated on current treatments and advances in healthcare,” said John Edward, III, BSN, RN, MBA, MHA According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses will grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 job openings per year on average, faster than the rate for most other occupations. Meanwhile, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports in 2203, 65,766 qualified

applications, not individual students, were denied by nursing schools due to a shortage of faculty, insufficient clinical placement sites, preceptors, and classroom capacity.

Accrediting bodies for these professions may also feel the impact. The Commission on

Collegiate Nursing Education accredits nursing programs that prepare students for advanced clinical practice, while the National Architectural Accrediting Board oversees architecture curricula that meet professional standards.

Although there is backlash, there are some higher education officials defending the Department’s proposal as a way to better align loan limits with what they say are truly “professional”

programs, those traditionally requiring postgraduate licensure in fields like law, medicine, and dentistry.

However, student advocates warn that such a redefinition could create new challenges. “This

overlooks the reality of how demanding and essential architecture education is, and they ignore the progress and representation that African Americans and other minorities are fighting to create in this profession. It’s really a slap in the face,” said Malikhai McGraw, an architectural intern

and second-year architecture graduate student

Nursing organizations have mobilized in response. Among them, the American Nurses

Association has called on the Education Department to rescind the policy change, saying that its implementation would come at a time of historic need for advanced-practice nurses and

educators. Institutional leaders and students are also watching this proposed policy closely. For many, the proposed rule could change more than alter terms; it challenges how society values advanced nursing and architecture education.