H.R. 6739

119 HR 6739 IH: Clarity in Professional Degree Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-12-16
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 6739  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   December 16, 2025   Mrs. Dingell  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Education and Workforce    A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the definition of professional degree.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Clarity in Professional Degree Act  .
2.
Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
The Department of Education modified the definition of  professional degree  programs eligible for Federal student aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq. ), removing many health, education, and graduate credentials from the list of definitions at the detriment of students with disabilities.
(2)
This reclassification is part of a new student loan policy and is expected to take effect on July 1, 2026.
(3)
Students in affected programs could now lose their qualification for such Federal student aid programs which experts fear would exacerbate workforce shortages. These fields are the foundation of the United States economy, ensuring that the Nation remains safe, educated, and healthy.
3.
Professional degree defined
Section 455(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087e(a)(4)(C) ) is amended—
(1)
in clause (ii), by striking  , 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
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(iii)
Professional degree
In this paragraph, the term  professional degree  has the meaning given the term in section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph), except that such term also includes the following degrees:
(I)
Nursing (A.D.N., R.N., or B.S.N.).
(II)
Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.).
(III)
Physical Therapy (D.P.T.).
(IV)
Social Work (M.S.W.).
(V)
Accounting (MAcc).
(VI)
Architecture (M.Arch.).
(VII)
Special and Secondary Education (M.Ed., M.S.Ed., or M.A.T.).
(VIII)
Music Education (M.S. or M.M.E.).
(IX)
World Languages (M.Ed.).
(X)
Public Health (M.P.H.).
 .