11/23/2025
This “professional degree” list was first released in 1965 under the Higher Education Act (except clinical psychology was added after).
1965.
60 years ago, the list was the same.
Good, now I have your attention, I hope. Hang in there. This is a long, but so important post!
I posted about this earlier in the week.
Unfortunately, more misinformation has been spread not only from social media but also from well-respected professional organizations, which is really concerning. (Please encourage your professional organizations to research and focus on the true issues!!)
The definition of “professional degree” was established in 1965:
“One that signifies completion of academic requirements to begin practice in a profession at a level beyond a bachelor's degree.” The list from the law includes degrees in pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, medicine, optometry, podiatry, theology, and chiropractic. (See screenshot). The Department of Education (DOE) has since added clinical psychology to this list.
Nursing, education, allied health, accounting, finance, etc., were NOT removed from the “professional degree” list; THEY WERE NEVER ON IT. Yes, theology was always on it.
If the definition of “professional degree” hasn’t changed, what has? ALOT!
The amount of loans you can qualify for if your degree is NOT on the “professional degree” list.
Prior to the “One Big Beautiful Bill ACT” (OBBBA), signed into law July 4, 2025, ….
Those degrees not on the “professional degree” list were able to borrow from the Department of Education the amount they needed for their education, including graduate degrees and beyond, even if the amount was beyond $100,000.00.
However, changes being made to federal Department of Education loans based on OBBBA: Effective July 1, 2026, for NEW borrowers:
If your degree is NOT on the “professional degree” list:
- From DOE you can borrow up to $20,500.00 a year.
- Lifetime maximum $100,000.00.
- Does not matter if your education will cost more, these are the limits.
If your degree IS on the “professional degree” list:
- From DOE you can borrow up to $50,000.00 per year
- Lifetime maximum $200,000.00
- Does not matter if your education will cost more, those are the limits.
Other Significant Changes:
- Grad Plus Loans are being discontinued.
- Cap on Parent Plus Loans
- “Sunset the confusing maze of student loan repayment plans created by the Obama and Biden Administrations and create a new and simplified Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)” (DOE Press release 11/6/2025).
- Potential earnings test (this will be a whole other deep dive post!)
THE LOAN MAXIMUMS AND STRUCTURES ARE WHAT WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT the not about the “professional degree” definition that has been the same for 60 years.
The change is in enforcement in loan structure and maximums based on the original definition from 1965 by DOE.
Does this mean teachers, nurses, BCBAs, OTs, PTs, speech therapists, accountants, marketing, and physician assistants are not professionals? OF COURSE NOT. That is ludicrous. They are professionals, without question.
However, focusing on whether they are professionals distracts from the real concerns, access to higher education, equality, etc.
Many of the degrees not on the “professional degree” list already have significant shortages of certified and licensed people (nurses, teachers, BCBAs, speech therapist, etc.)
This change in enforcement is only going to make those shortages worse.
It means people in these fields who borrow the lifetime maximum from the federal government will then either need to withdraw from their education or seek predatory private loans if they do not have the money for higher education.
We need to STOP talking about the “professional degree” list that has not changed since 1965 (other than clinical psychology being added) and START talking about the loan caps that will not be enforced by the Department of Education, the inequality of access to higher education, and the equity of education.
This will undoubtedly (in my opinion of course) lead to significant shortages in fields that are desperately needed to support children and families, and beyond for those with disabilities.
I have been speaking to my graduate students about the changes that were coming from the passing of the OBBBA; none of this should be surprising, especially to professional organizations who have attorneys on staff.
Yes, nurses, teachers, speech therapists, and BCBAs are professionals. No, the degrees required for those positions were never part of the “professional degree” definition.
Focusing the narrative on a “professional degree” list that hasn’t changed for 60 years and NOT discussing the inequity and inequality of higher education beginning July 1, 2026, is detrimental, plain and simple.
Professionals, influencers, and professional organizations should focus on the loan maximums, not on what has been on the “professional degree” list for the past 60 years.
Advocate. Disseminate accurate information. Be aware and research before reposting from social media (yes, even my posts!)
❤️ Dr. Kosmerl
References (because you know I come with the data!):
Higher Education Act of 1965https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-765/pdf/COMPS-765.pdf
US Department of Education Press Release, November 6, 2025, regarding changes: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-concludes-negotiated-rulemaking-session-implement-one-big-beautiful-bill-acts-loan-provisions
“One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) signed into law July 4, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text
