Public Health Is a Professional Degree: New Resources and Advocacy Tools Now Available

ASPPH is intensifying our advocacy to ensure that MPH and DrPH degrees remain recognized and supported as professional degrees under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The Department of Education's proposed definition of "professional degree" would exclude public health and several other health professions, potentially restricting access to federal financial aid and weakening the public health workforce pipeline.

To support our collective response, ASPPH's Public Health Is a Professional Degree webpage serves as a central hub for resources, updates, and action opportunities. The page provides an overview of the risks posed by the proposed definition, including increased financial barriers for students, reduced program accessibility, and diminished workforce readiness at a time of mounting public health threats. It also outlines ASPPH's coordinated response with partner organizations, including coalition letters, federal engagement, and recommendations urging the Department to align the definition with accreditation standards and entry-to-practice requirements.

You'll also find social media graphics, messaging, a student-focused video script, and communication templates, as well as an easy way to contact Congress. We encourage you to utilize these resources to enhance our advocacy and underscore the vital role that public health degrees play in safeguarding community health.

In the coming weeks, we will expand the page to include a comprehensive FAQ on the proposal and its implications for federal and private loans.

We encourage members, partners, and students to explore these resources and share them widely. We will also continue to engage our members and students in our advocacy efforts during the upcoming 30-day comment period following the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which is expected to be released in January 2026.