Department of Education Comment Period Closes; Academy Submits Formal Comments on Professional Degree Proposal

The public comment period has officially closed on the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed regulations redefining “professional degree programs” for purposes of federal student aid. The American Academy of Audiology submitted formal comments urging the department to explicitly recognize audiology as a professional degree program within the final rule. The proposed regulation would revise the definition of professional degree programs under federal student loan policy. Under the draft language, only 11 specifically named professions would retain eligibility for higher federal loan limits. Audiology was not included in the proposal. If finalized without modification, the rule could significantly limit federal borrowing eligibility for Doctor of Audiology (AuD) students beginning as early as July 2026.

The Academy’s Comments

In its submission to the U.S. Department of Education, the Academy emphasized:

• The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) is the required entry-level degree for licensure.
• Audiologists complete rigorous doctoral-level academic preparation and extensive supervised clinical training.
• The educational scope, duration, and clinical intensity of AuD programs are comparable to other healthcare doctorates currently recognized as professional degree programs.

The Academy expressed concern that failure to explicitly include audiology could:

• Create unnecessary financial barriers for students.
• Increase student debt burdens.
• Undermine workforce pipeline stability.
• Reduce access to hearing and balance care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The Academy urged the Department to clearly include audiology in the final regulatory definition to promote consistency and equity across similarly situated healthcare professions. The Department will now review submitted comments and determine whether changes will be made before issuing a final rule. The Academy will continue monitoring the rulemaking process and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Thank You to Our Members

The Academy would like to thank the audiologists, students, educators, and advocates who submitted personalized comments during the rulemaking process. Individual stories, data, and professional insight strengthen the collective voice of the profession and reinforce the real-world impact of federal policy decisions.

Your engagement demonstrates a strong and united commitment to protecting the future of audiology education and preserving patient access to hearing and balance care. The Academy is grateful for your continued advocacy and dedication to advancing the profession.