Many popular degrees left off “Professional” list under President Donald Trump Admin’s new rules
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Nov 21, 2025, 23:26 IST
Many widely respected degrees are missing from the Trump administration’s new professional category under the updated education rules. Programs such as nursing, therapy, architecture, accounting, education, and social work may receive less federal loan support starting in July 2026. Experts say the exclusions do not match real workforce needs and could worsen shortages in critical fields. Colleges and students now face major uncertainty before the policy takes effect.
The Trump administration’s new education rules are raising worries across colleges and among students, after several well known degrees were left out of the “professional degree” category. This list matters because it affects how much financial help students can get starting July 2026.
Under the changes, some high demand fields like nursing, physical therapy, architecture, accounting and social work are not counted as “professional.” That means students in those programs may receive less loan support than they do now.
The new policy is part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which brings in a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). This plan will replace programs like Grad PLUS and limit Parent PLUS loans.
Under RAP, graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 a year, while students in programs labeled as “professional degrees” can borrow up to $50,000.
So, if a degree is not in the “professional” category, students may struggle to cover higher fees especially in programs like nursing and therapy, where tuition is often expensive. Nursing groups say the decision will hurt a field that is already facing shortages.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) said in a statement that leaving nursing off the list “goes against decades of progress” and could discourage students from entering the profession.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) also raised concerns, saying nursing clearly leads to licensure and direct patient care and should be treated as a professional path.
Several public figures spoken out on X (formerly Twitter) like the US Senate candidate Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) wrote: “Can someone explain how a theologian is considered more “professional” than a nurse practitioner?
As part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” the Department of Education just proposed a reclassification of a “professional degree,” and it means fewer students will qualify for the higher loan limits they need for grad school. Programs being excluded include many fields dominated by women like healthcare, counseling, and social work. This isn’t a coincidence. This is a way to quietly push women out of professional careers.
Limiting who can pursue advanced degrees in critical professions will only deepen the workforce shortages we’re already facing.”
![Amy McGrath on X (formerly Twitter) wrote,“Can someone explain how a theologian is considered more “professional” than a nurse practitioner? As part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” the Department of Education just proposed a reclassification of a “professional degree,” and it means fewer students will qualify for the higher loan limits they need for grad school. Programs being excluded include many fields dominated by women like healthcare, counseling, and social work. This isn’t a coincidence. This is a way to quietly push women out of professional careers. Limiting who can pursue advanced degrees in critical professions will only deepen the workforce shortages we’re already facing.”]()
Her post gained strong support from nurses, teachers and counselors who say this shift could make their training more expensive and harder to pursue.
Full list of degrees not counted as “Professional”,based on current reports and education sources, the following degrees are not included under the new “professional” list: Nursing, Physician assistants, Physical therapists, Audiologists, Architects, Accountants, Educators, Social workers.
(Also reported: engineering, business master’s, counseling/therapy, speech pathology)
The new rules go into effect in July 2026, so colleges and students have more than a year to prepare. However, education experts warn that the change could lead to fewer students entering fields that already need more workers, especially nursing and teaching. The Department of Education has not yet responded to wider public criticism.
Under the changes, some high demand fields like nursing, physical therapy, architecture, accounting and social work are not counted as “professional.” That means students in those programs may receive less loan support than they do now.
The new policy is part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which brings in a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). This plan will replace programs like Grad PLUS and limit Parent PLUS loans.
Under RAP, graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 a year, while students in programs labeled as “professional degrees” can borrow up to $50,000.
So, if a degree is not in the “professional” category, students may struggle to cover higher fees especially in programs like nursing and therapy, where tuition is often expensive. Nursing groups say the decision will hurt a field that is already facing shortages.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) said in a statement that leaving nursing off the list “goes against decades of progress” and could discourage students from entering the profession.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) also raised concerns, saying nursing clearly leads to licensure and direct patient care and should be treated as a professional path.
Several public figures spoken out on X (formerly Twitter) like the US Senate candidate Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) wrote: “Can someone explain how a theologian is considered more “professional” than a nurse practitioner?
As part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” the Department of Education just proposed a reclassification of a “professional degree,” and it means fewer students will qualify for the higher loan limits they need for grad school. Programs being excluded include many fields dominated by women like healthcare, counseling, and social work. This isn’t a coincidence. This is a way to quietly push women out of professional careers.
Limiting who can pursue advanced degrees in critical professions will only deepen the workforce shortages we’re already facing.”
Amy McGrath on X (formerly Twitter) wrote,“Can someone explain how a theologian is considered more “professional” than a nurse practitioner? As part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” the Department of Education just proposed a reclassification of a “professional degree,” and it means fewer students will qualify for the higher loan limits they need for grad school. Programs being excluded include many fields dominated by women like healthcare, counseling, and social work. This isn’t a coincidence. This is a way to quietly push women out of professional careers. Limiting who can pursue advanced degrees in critical professions will only deepen the workforce shortages we’re already facing.”
Her post gained strong support from nurses, teachers and counselors who say this shift could make their training more expensive and harder to pursue.
Full list of degrees not counted as “Professional”,based on current reports and education sources, the following degrees are not included under the new “professional” list: Nursing, Physician assistants, Physical therapists, Audiologists, Architects, Accountants, Educators, Social workers.
(Also reported: engineering, business master’s, counseling/therapy, speech pathology)
The new rules go into effect in July 2026, so colleges and students have more than a year to prepare. However, education experts warn that the change could lead to fewer students entering fields that already need more workers, especially nursing and teaching. The Department of Education has not yet responded to wider public criticism.