| Traditionally the first professional degree has represented degree programs beyond the bachelor's preparing students for the recofnition, credential or license required for professional practices. While these programs would seem to be clearly appropriate for wage outcomes at 18 months post-completion, they often provide the least useful results in our model. The reasons for this are understandable. First, in the the case of law degrees, a minority of attorneys work in positions that are covered by unemployment insurance as most are self-employed, in partnership arrangements, or treated as independent contractors. Second, medical doctor graduates most often go from medical school to residency programs which are not only relatively low-paid but are frequently out-of-state. The US Education Department discontinued the use of the term "First Professional" during the 2010-11 data collection year. SCHEV will continue to use the phrase or some time to come because the structure of existing funding models which are outside of SCHEV's sole control.
|