What Counts as a Professional Degree in 2026?

dotEDU: Higher Education Policy Explained · Jan 16, 2026 · 1h

Valerie Fuller, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, visited the podcast to talk about how new federal loan limits will change what graduate students can borrow and why nursing may no longer be considered a professional degree. The hosts also looked at the appropriations outlook on Capitol Hill, negotiations on rulemaking to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill, and more.

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Graduate Loan Limits

Valerie Fuller, president of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

Graduate and Professional Student…