A recent change in federal education policy has raised concerns across the healthcare and academic communities.
The U.S. Department of Education has removed nursing from its list of recognized “professional degree” programs, a move that may have significant implications for students, schools, and the future of the nursing workforce.
While this change doesn’t affect the licensure or legal standing of nurses, it could alter access to financial aid and limit advanced education opportunities.
Defining a “professional degree” in U.S. education
In the context of higher education, a professional degree is defined as a credential that prepares an individual to enter a licensed profession that typically requires advanced education beyond a bachelor’s degree. These degrees usually include both academic and clinical components and lead directly to practice.
Common examples include:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Historically, certain advanced nursing degrees, such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), have been grouped with these professional programs in terms of educational and financial aid policy. However, the Department of Education’s revised language no longer explicitly includes nursing within this category.
What changed in the Department of Education’s classification?
Recent updates from the Department of Education clarified which programs fall under the “professional degree” umbrella for the purpose of Title IV funding and related student aid policies. Notably, nursing was omitted from the list, while other health-related fields such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine remained.
Although this list isn't exhaustive, the removal of nursing signals a significant reclassification in how the field is viewed from a federal regulatory standpoint. This change is especially relevant in the context of federal student loan limits, which allow students in professional programs to borrow at higher annual and aggregate levels compared to those in standard graduate programs.
Potential implications of removing nursing degrees from the “professional degree” list
Understanding the broader effects of this reclassification helps clarify what’s truly at stake for the nursing profession. It highlights how federal definitions can influence not just education policy, but also workforce readiness and access to care.
1. Limitations on financial aid
One of the most immediate and tangible impacts of this change involves student financial aid. Graduate nursing students, particularly those pursuing advanced practice degrees like MSNs and DNPs, often rely on federal loans to fund their education. When nursing is no longer categorized as a professional degree, students may face stricter borrowing caps under federal loan programs.
This could lead to:
- More reliance on private loans with higher interest rates
- Financial strain for students in programs requiring extensive clinical hours
- Reduced access to education for students from lower-income backgrounds
Under these new regulations, “professional” students are eligible for higher unsubsidized loan limits under the Direct Loan Program ($50,000 annually and a lifetime cap of $200,000).
With nursing no longer explicitly included, nursing students may fall under the general graduate student borrowing limit, which is significantly lower ($20,500 annually and a lifetime cap of $100,000). This new legislation also removes Grad PLUS loans, which many nursing students have used to cover education expenses that weren’t covered by financial aid, according to the Association of American Universities.
2. Barriers to advanced nursing education
Graduate-level nursing programs are essential for training nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse educators, and nurse leaders. Many of these roles are critical to addressing healthcare gaps, especially in primary care, mental health, and rural or underserved communities.
By potentially limiting access to affordable graduate education, the reclassification may result in:
- Fewer qualified candidates pursuing advanced practice roles
- Workforce shortages in areas already experiencing deficits
- Reduced pipeline of nurse educators, which limits how many new nurses can be trained
Currently, 267,889 students are enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at 869 colleges and universities across the U.S, according to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Many of these students may plan to pursue advanced degrees. Barriers to doing so could significantly impact the healthcare system’s ability to meet future demands.
3. Impact on the broader healthcare system
As the largest part of the healthcare workforce, nurses provide care across all settings, from hospitals and clinics to long-term care and community health. Advanced practice nurses, in particular, help in expanding access to care in areas facing physician shortages.
Any policy change that indirectly restricts entry into graduate nursing programs could have a domino effect across the healthcare system. These effects may result in:
- Longer wait times for patients seeking primary or specialty care
- Reduced capacity in educational programs due to fewer nurse faculty
- Increased burnout among existing staff due to staffing shortages
Given that the U.S. healthcare system is already struggling with workforce shortages in many specialties, a reduction in the supply of highly trained nurses may intensify these challenges.
The regulatory background and ongoing review
The Department of Education's change comes amid a broader review of how professional degrees are defined for financial aid purposes. As part of negotiated rulemaking sessions, federal education officials are reexamining the definitions of programs of study and how legacy policies apply.
Several organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the AACN, have called for clarity and a reconsideration of the nursing profession’s exclusion.
Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association, addressed this in an ANA news release.
“At a time when healthcare in our country faces a historic nurse shortage and rising demands, limiting nurses’ access to funding for graduate education threatens the very foundation of patient care,” she said. “In many communities across the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas, advanced practice registered nurses ensure access to essential, high-quality care that would otherwise be unavailable.”
In her statement, Kennedy urges the Department of Education to acknowledge nursing as an essential profession and to maintain access to loan programs that support advanced nursing education.
Additionally, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) has noted that the change may lead institutions to reclassify graduate nursing students under standard graduate borrower status, unless further guidance is issued.
Looking ahead
The removal of nursing from the list of professional degrees marks a significant policy shift with many implications. While this decision doesn’t alter licensure or scope of practice, the change could affect access to federal loan programs and reshape how graduate nursing education looks in the future.
As discussions around professional degree classifications continue, nursing remains at the center of a broader conversation about educational equity, workforce development, and the future of healthcare delivery.
