Advancing Graduate Education Through Federal Policy
APWA is focused on federal policies that directly impact access to graduate education and the ability to sustain a highly skilled, workforce across critical sectors.
Advocacy
APWA advocates at the federal level for regulatory and legislative solutions that expand access to graduate education.
Coalition
APWA brings together higher education, professional associations, and advocacy
organizations to represent voices across disciplines and workforce sectors.
Access
APWA leverages bipartisan engagement strategies to connect members with Congressional leaders and federal agencies.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
A Coalition Focused on Workforce Impact
The Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA) was formed to advocate for professions that require graduate and postsecondary education and training.
Recent federal policy changes—including new student loan caps and the elimination of the Graduate PLUS loan program—are reshaping access to graduate education. These changes have significant implications for workforce development across fields such as architecture, behavioral health, social work, health administration, occupational and physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, athletic training, and counseling
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA) is an advocacy organization dedicated to maximizing the federal investment in graduate education. APWA convenes higher education organizations, professional associations, and graduate education advocates—to advance policy on degree designation, federal funding, and workforce development
A National Coalition Representing Critical Professions
APWA represents a diverse coalition of organizations spanning healthcare, public health, health professionals, education, infrastructure, and public service.
Our members include higher education organizations, professional associations, and advocacy groups working together to ensure federal policy reflects the realities of graduate education and workforce demand.
Through coordinated advocacy and strategic engagement, APWA amplifies the collective voice of professions that depend on advanced education to serve communities nationwide.
STEERING COMMITEE
Association of
Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges
Association for Athletic
Training Education
American Institute of
Architects
American Association
of Naturopathic
Physicians
American Occupational
Therapy Association
American Physical
Therapy Association
Association of Schools
and Programs of
Public Health
Association of
University Programs
in Health
Administration
National Athletic
Trainers’ Association
National Board for
Certified Counselors
VOTING MEMBERS
American Academy of
Physician Associates
American Association
of Veterinary
Medical Colleges
Accreditation Commission
for Acupuncture and
Herbal Medicine
American Council of
Academic Physical
Therapy
The American Health
Care Association
National Center for
Assisted Living
Association of Schools
Advancing Health
Professions
Council of Colleges
of Acupuncture and
Herbal Medicine
American Association
of Nurse Practitioners
NON-VOTING MEMBERS
American Association
for Marriage and
Family Therapy
Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics
Association of
Collegiate Schools of
Architecture
ADVION
American Geriatrics
Society
American Music
Therapy Association
American Speech-
Language-Hearing
Association
Commission on
Accreditation of
Athletic Training
Education
Genetic Counselor
Educators Association
National Association
of Social Workers
National Board for
Certification in
Occupational Therapy
National Society of
Genetic Counselors
PA Education
Association
Policy Issues
APWA is focused on federal policies that directly impact access to graduate education and the ability to sustain a highly skilled workforce across critical sectors.
Access to Graduate Education Financing
Recent federal changes—including new student loan caps and the elimination of the Graduate PLUS loan program—are limiting access to graduate education for many students. These changes disproportionately impact programs in critical sectors.
Definition of “Professional Degrees”
Current and proposed federal definitions exclude many programs that meet the functional criteria of professional degrees. This limits access to financial aid and creates barriers for students entering professions critical to public health, education, and infrastructure. APWA advocates for policies that reflect the full range of professions requiring advanced education and training.
Workforce Pathway Stability
Restrictions on graduate education access create downstream workforce shortages across high-need sectors. Sustaining these workforce pathways is essential to meeting national demand and supporting community level services.
Federal Implementation & Timeline Considerations
Accelerated implementation of federal policy changes can disrupt institutional planning, financial aid systems, and student access.
APWA supports policy timelines that allow institutions and students to adapt while maintaining stability across the higher education system.
Insights
See the testimony APWA submitted to the House Appropriations Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Advocates and higher ed groups called on Congress to take action to expand the definition of professional programs.
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