Kamaron Moir, Staff Writer, The MSU Spokesman
Starting July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education will revise the definition of “professional degree” for federal student loan purposes. Degrees in nursing, physician assistant studies, physical and occupational therapy, social work, education, architecture and accounting will be reclassified as nonprofessional.
Leaders at Morgan State University’s School of Social Work warn the change could limit access to graduate education in fields already facing staffing shortages. The policy may reduce borrowing options for students who rely on federal loans to complete licensure requirements.
The school enrolls about 600 students across four programs. Administrators estimate roughly half of them—primarily those pursuing graduate degrees—will be affected. Many are nontraditional students, including older adults, full-time workers, and caregivers, who depend on federal loans to cover tuition and living expenses.
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 Dr. Laurens Van Sluytman described the pathway as a “cost saver” and stressed the importance of borrowing flexibility.
“It’s very important that we hold on to that category,” Van Sluytman said. “The designation allows them to accrue a certain amount, and if that amount is lessened, it compromises their capacity to move on to the postgraduate degree.”
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.” But educators question whether the policy addresses student debt effectively. Dr. Christa Gilliam, associate professor of social work, said, “The degree cost is the degree cost. 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, yet holders often earn 15–25% more than bachelor’s recipients, with some fields exceeding 50% higher earnings.
The policy also eliminates Grad PLUS loans, which 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.
“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. Reducing support would compromise the training we can offer.”
Dean Dr. Anna McPhatter emphasized the importance of social work in hospitals, schools, and community agencies nationwide.
“You can’t find a hospital that doesn’t have a social work department,” McPhatter said. “They connect people with services outside the hospital and help ensure patients have what they need to remain well.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social workers were classified as essential workers. School leaders say the new loan definition does not reflect that designation.
Dr. Jocelyn DeVance Taliaferro, interim MSW 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 of money they need, we’re disadvantaged in a very real way,” she said.
The Department of Education’s press release “Myth vs. Fact: The Definition of Professional Degrees” did not mention social work. Taliaferro said the omission reflects broader challenges facing the profession.
“We serve people who can’t speak for themselves,” she said. “They don’t have the same political power or ability to advocate. 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.”