Clarity in Professional Degree Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to clarify the definition of ‘professional degree’ under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Currently, the Department of Education’s interpretation has excluded certain healthcare and graduate degrees from being considered professional degrees, potentially impacting students’ eligibility for federal student aid. The bill expands this definition to include specific degrees like nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, and others crucial to the nation’s economy and well-being. It seeks to ensure that students pursuing these vital fields maintain access to federal financial assistance.
Key provisions
- Expands the definition of ‘professional degree’ in the Higher Education Act.
- Includes specific degrees such as nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, accounting, architecture, special education, music education, world languages, and public health.
- Reverses a recent Department of Education change that removed certain degrees from the professional degree definition.
- The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.
- The definition is based on the interpretation of section 668.2 of Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations.
Who is affected
- Students pursuing degrees in the expanded list of professional fields.
- Institutions offering degrees in the expanded list of professional fields.
- The Department of Education.
- Federal student aid recipients.
- Healthcare and education sectors
Bill text
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