Recent changes in the classification of nursing degrees have sparked significant debate and concern. This issue revolves around a revised definition of “professional degrees,” established by the Department of Education under the Trump Administration. The omission of critical programs, especially nursing, raises questions about student funding and educational access.
Nursing Degree Classification Changes: Key Details
The definition of a professional degree is rooted in a 1965 federal law. This law identifies a professional degree as one that meets both academic requirements for practice and a skill level beyond a bachelor’s degree. Current recognized degrees include:
- Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.)
- Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
- Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.)
- Law (L.L.B. or J.D.)
- Medicine (M.D.)
- Optometry (O.D.)
- Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.)
- Theology (M.Div., or M.H.L.)
Exclusion of Nursing and Other Programs
Nursing, along with several other graduate programs, has been excluded from this professional degree classification. National organizations such as the American Council on Education have urged the inclusion of nursing, architecture, and other fields in the professional degree definition. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, President of the American Nurses Association, raised alarms about the implications of this exclusion.
Kennedy noted that omitting nursing from the professional classification could “severely restrict access to critical funding for graduate nursing education.” This poses a threat to the nursing workforce, which is essential for providing high-quality patient care, particularly in underserved areas.
Impact on Student Funding
The classification changes will also affect student loan limits. Currently, students in recognized professional degree programs can borrow significantly more than those in non-classified fields. Specifics include:
- Borrowing up to $50,000 annually for recognized professional degrees.
- A total borrowing limit of $200,000.
- Non-professional degree programs are capped at $20,500 per year, with a total cap of $100,000.
These new loan parameters are part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” initiative and are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2026.
The shifting landscape of nursing degree classifications poses significant challenges for future nursing students. As the healthcare sector faces a notable nursing shortage, access to education funding is more critical than ever.
