I am a Licensed Professional Registered Nurse who worked tirelessly to earn my degree in nursing. Like many others who dedicate their lives to healthcare and education fields, my degree represents years of hard work, sleepless nights, and a commitment to serving others with professionalism and expertise. However, the Department of Education plans to issue a list of degrees that will be reclassified and no longer considered professional degrees. This is not just a personal affront to those of us in these fields, but a broader risk to the quality and integrity of our services.

The degrees under threat include Education (including teaching master's degrees), Nursing (MSN, DNP), Social work (MSW, DSW), Public health (MPH, DrPH), Physician assistant, Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Audiology, Speech-language pathology, Business master's, Engineering master's, and Counseling & therapy degrees. By reclassifying these degrees, the Department of Education is undermining the professional standing of thousands of dedicated workers and potentially lowering the standard of care provided to individuals across the nation.

These degrees are critical to the functioning of our healthcare and educational systems. Nursing, for example, is a field where professional expertise directly influences patient outcomes. Professionals in this sector need to be respected and recognized for the value they bring. Instead of stripping these fields of their professional status, we should be working to enhance and support the ongoing education and certification that ensure practitioners are well-equipped to meet the demanding needs of their roles.

Moreover, such reclassification can have adverse economic impacts. Graduates in these fields might face reduced job prospects and lower salaries. This action could deter future students from pursuing these critical degrees, exacerbating shortages in sectors that are already struggling to meet demand.

We urge the Department of Education to consider the ramifications of reclassifying these degrees and the message it sends about the importance of these professions. Let's protect the integrity of our professional degrees and ensure a future where these fields continue to thrive and evolve. Please sign this petition to prevent the reclassification of these crucial professional degrees. Your signature is a step toward safeguarding the quality and professionalism that our society depends on.