Starting July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education will revise the definition of “professional degree” for federal student loan purposes. The change reclassifies several programs as nonprofessional.

Affected fields include nursing, physician assistant studies, physical and occupational therapy, social work, education, architecture and accounting. The change could alter how much graduate students may borrow.

Leaders at Morgan State University’s School of Social Work say the shift could limit access to graduate education. They warn the change comes as many of these fields face staffing shortages.

The policy may reduce borrowing options for students who rely on federal loans to complete licensure requirements. Administrators say many students depend on those loans for tuition and living expenses.

The school enrolls about 600 students across four programs. Administrators estimate roughly half, mostly graduate students, will feel the impact.

Many students are nontraditional, including older adults, full-time workers and caregivers. Administrators say these students often depend on federal loans to remain enrolled.

Maryland requires licensure to use the title “social worker,” which typically requires a postgraduate degree. Some students enter graduate programs immediately after completing a Bachelor of Social Work.

Assistant Dean Laurens Van Sluytman described the pathway as a “cost saver.” He emphasized the importance of borrowing flexibility for students moving directly into graduate study.

“It’s very important that we hold on to that category,” Van Sluytman said. “The designation allows them to accrue a certain amount. If that amount is lessened, it compromises their capacity to move on.”

The Department of Education said the restructuring aims to “drive down the cost of graduate programs and reduce the debt students have to take out.” Educators question whether the policy will achieve that goal.

Christa Gilliam, associate professor of social work, said the change does not address tuition costs. She also questioned the link between program classification and affordability.

“The degree cost is the degree cost,” Gilliam said. “It’s interesting that they connect it to tuition but then declassify professional programs.”

Graduate degrees account for more than a third of national student loan debt. Degree holders often earn 15% to 25% more than those with bachelor’s degrees, with some fields exceeding 50%.

The policy also eliminates Grad PLUS loans. Those loans allowed graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, including living expenses.

Van Sluytman said many social work students rely on those loans while completing field placements. He said required training limits students’ ability to work.

“Our students receive extensive training in the field,” he said. “That means they cannot work at the same time.”

“Many loans go toward housing, food and childcare,” he added. “Reducing support would compromise the training we can offer.”

Dean Anna McPhatter emphasized the role of social workers in hospitals, schools and community agencies. She said the profession supports patients beyond clinical care.

“You can’t find a hospital that doesn’t have a social work department,” McPhatter said. “They connect people with services outside the hospital.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social workers were classified as essential workers. School leaders say the new loan definition does not reflect that designation.

Jocelyn DeVance Taliaferro, interim Master of Social Work chair, said the reclassification could create disparities between fields with similar credit requirements.

“If engineering has the same credit hour as social work, and social workers can’t get the amount they need, we’re disadvantaged in a very real way,” she said.

The Department of Education press release titled “Myth vs. Fact: The Definition of Professional Degrees” did not mention social work. Taliaferro said the omission reflects broader challenges.

“We serve people who can’t speak for themselves,” she said. “We are the advocates for those people.”

Legal challenges to education policy changes continue nationwide. McPhatter said the school will continue advocating for students and the profession.

“We believe in social justice,” McPhatter said. “We’re not giving up.”