HR 8659
Nursing is a Professional Degree Act
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Bill overview
This bill amends the Higher Education Act to clarify the definition of a ‘professional student’ and ‘professional degree.’ Specifically, it expands the list of degrees considered professional to include various healthcare and legal professions, such as nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, and others. The goal is to ensure that students pursuing these specialized degrees receive appropriate federal financial aid and support.
Key provisions
- Expands the definition of a ‘professional degree’ to include specific healthcare and legal degrees.
- Specifically lists degrees such as Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Law (L.L.B. or J.D.), and Medicine (M.D.).
- Includes degrees like Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.), Theology (M.Div. or M.H.L.), Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.), and Nursing (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D).
- Defines a ‘professional degree’ as requiring both academic completion and a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor’s degree.
- Clarifies that professional licensure is commonly required for these degrees.
- Authorizes the Secretary to determine if other degrees meet the criteria for a professional degree.
Who is affected
- Students pursuing degrees in healthcare professions (e.g., nursing, pharmacy, dentistry).
- Students pursuing degrees in legal professions (e.g., law).
- Institutions offering degrees in the listed professional fields.
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8659
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend the definition of a professional student in the Higher Education Act of 1965.
This Act may be cited as the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act
.
Section 455(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(a)(4)(C)) is amended—
, as defined under section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph),; and
by adding at the end the following:
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.).
Optometry (O.D.).
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (D.O.).
Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.).
Theology/Theological Studies (M.Div. or M.H.L.).
Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.).
Nursing (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D).
Any other degree that meets the requirements of subclause (I), as determined by the Secretary.