New Decision by Trump Excludes Vital Specializations from Professional Classification and Threatens the Future of Key Sectors

A report by the American magazine Newsweek warned of serious repercussions from President Donald Trump's administration's decision to redefine "professional degree," after essential specializations relied upon by American society were excluded, including nursing, education, engineering, and social work.

According to the report, the new definition of professional degrees will directly affect the amount of financial aid provided to students, as it allows students in classified "professional" specializations to receive funding of up to $50,000, compared to only $20,500 for specializations not included in the classification. The decision also includes the cancellation of the Grad PLUS program designated for graduate students and the reduction of the Parent PLUS program that funds the education of university children.

The decision has sparked widespread controversy within academic and union circles, as education experts believe it could drive students away from fields already suffering from a severe shortage of personnel, particularly in healthcare, education, and physical therapy. They warned that reducing funding could pressure universities to cut programs or raise their costs, amid the doubling of college tuition over the past three decades.

The magazine noted that the list of specializations excluded from the professional classification includes fields that are central to public services, such as nursing, psychology, accounting, and speech disorders. In contrast, theology was included among professional degrees, raising questions about potential political motives behind the new classification.

Former Senate candidate Amy McGrath stated that the exclusion of specializations "dominated by women" is not random, warning that the decision will exacerbate shortages in sensitive sectors like health and education.

Newsweek concludes that these amendments could radically reshape the vocational education system in the United States and threaten to weaken sectors that the social and economic fabric of the country relies upon.