Reclassifying Healthcare Degrees: Understanding the DOE's Proposed Policy Change
Course Overview
This episode examines the U.S. Department of Education's November 2025 proposal to redefine "professional degree" programs for federal student loan purposes, which would exclude nursing and several other healthcare degrees from higher borrowing limits. Participants will explore the policy mechanics, the rationale from both the Department of Education and healthcare organizations, financial implications for students, and potential workforce effects.
Listen, Learn, and Earn CE Hours with this podcast course. Available on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast apps.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the Department of Education's proposed reclassification and how it changes federal student loan borrowing limits for graduate healthcare programs
- Compare the rationale and evidence presented by the Department of Education with responses from nursing and healthcare professional organizations
- Analyze the financial data regarding graduate healthcare education costs and student borrowing patterns
- Evaluate potential workforce implications based on current healthcare education enrollment data and workforce projection models
About the Author/Presenter
Dr. Candace Pierce, DNP, RN, CNE, COI
Dr. Candace Pierce is a nurse leader committed to ensuring nurses are well prepared and offered abundant opportunities and resources to enhance their skills acquisition and confidence at the bedside. With 15 years in nursing, she has worked at the bedside, in management, and in nursing education. She has demonstrated expertise and scholarship in innovation and design thinking in healthcare and education, and collaborative efforts within and outside of healthcare. Scholarship endeavors include funded grants, publications, and presentations. As a leader, Dr. PIERCE: strives to empower others to create and deploy ideas and embrace their professional roles as leaders, change agents, and problem solvers. In her position as the Sr. Course Development Manager for Elite, she works as a project engineer with subject matter experts to develop evidence-based best practices in continuing education for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Dr. Jay Stowe, BSN, JD, RN
James is both a nurse and attorney, obtaining a nursing degree from Auburn University and Juris Doctor from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law. He practiced in the legal field concentrating in part on medical claims before returning to hospital administration. James is currently the Director of a large Emergency Department.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
