Last week, the Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee reached preliminary consensus on a proposed definition of “professional degree programs” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). We are deeply concerned and profoundly disappointed that the proposal excludes public health programs as well as several other health professions.

This exclusion sends an alarming signal about the understanding of the public health workforce and risks undermining the nation’s ability to prepare practitioners who protect and promote the health of all populations. At a time when threats to public health are escalating, leaving out the very degrees that train our frontline leaders is both short-sighted and dangerous.

The Department of Education is expected to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the coming weeks, which will open a 30-day public comment period. ASPPH will continue to advocate vigorously for the inclusion of public health degrees and will encourage all institutions to send comments as well. We will keep the community updated as developments unfold.

Implications for Schools and Programs of Public Health

The decision last week has significant implications for schools and programs of public health. Excluding the MPH and DrPH from the “professional degree” category could restrict students’ access to higher federal loan limits, making public health education less financially attainable and potentially weakening the future workforce pipeline. The proposal also overlooks decades of precedent recognizing these degrees as professional credentials essential to protecting community health and advancing health equity.

As mentioned, ASPPH will continue to advocate for policies beneficial to academic public health.