College Detail

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

Anchorage, Alaska

The University

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is a public institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Since its creation, UAA has established a record of continuing growth and development in its academic, vocational, and public-service activities. The University of Alaska Anchorage promotes student success by maintaining a strong emphasis on faculty excellence and student services. Programs are focused on student needs and support the development of students by contributing to their cultural, social, intellectual, physical, and emotional growth. UAA also provides support services for students with special needs. UAA offers a broad range of certificate, associate degree, bachelor's degree, and master's degree programs. Programs span the social sciences, English literature, creative writing, and foreign languages as well as the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and the fine arts, thus providing students with the opportunity to pursue interests beyond their selected academic fields and explore a variety of subjects. UAA also offers a statewide distance education and independent learning program with multimedia distribution.

The academic units on the Anchorage campus are the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Public Policy, the College of Education, the College of Health and Social Welfare, the Community and Technical College, the School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing. Research units include the Alaska Center for Rural Health, the American Russian Center, the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, the Center for Community Engagement and Learning, the Center for Economic Development, the Center for Economic Education, the Center for Human Development, the Environmental and Natural Resources Institute (the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, the Alaska State Climate Center, the Arctic Environmental and Information Data Center, and Resource Solutions), the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, the Institute of Social and Economic Research, the Justice Center, the North Pacific Fisheries Observer Training Center, the Small Business Development Center (Procurement Technical Assistance Center, BUY ALASKA, and Technology Research Development Center) and the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development.

The University offers a wide range of programs at the graduate level, including the Master of Arts (M.A.) in anthropology, education, English, and interdisciplinary studies; the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) in general management; the Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E); the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in adult education, counselor education, early childhood special education, educational leadership, master teacher, and special education; the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing and literary arts; the Master in Public Administration(M.P.A.); the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in public health practice; the Master of Science (M.S.) in arctic engineering, biological sciences, civil engineering, clinical psychology, computer science, engineering management, environmental quality engineering, environmental quality science, global supply chain management, interdisciplinary studies, nursing science, project management, and science management; and the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.). There are also graduate certificate options, including family nurse practitioner and psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner as well as educational leadership: principal and educational leadership: superintendent.

Location

The University of Alaska campus is nestled in a lush greenbelt filled with ponds, lakes, and spruce forests, surrounded by the mountains and glaciers of Chugach State Park and the beautiful Cook Inlet. Student housing and classrooms are within easy walking distance. An extensive system of trails provides opportunities for running, cross-country skiing, inline skating, and biking. The geographical features in the Anchorage area provide world-class climbing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding. Cook Inlet and nearby Prince William Sound offer an amazingly rich and diverse marine environment supporting a host of marine mammals and legendary salmon runs. These waters contribute to the area's relatively mild weather and are well known among the world's windsurfers and sea kayakers. Summertime temperatures range between 60 and 70 degrees. Winters include snow from October to April but are less severe in Anchorage than in many other U.S. cities. Anchorage, a city of 261,446 people, is the chief business, professional, international, transportation, and entertainment center of the state.

Majors and Degrees

The Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) is awarded in anthropology, art, biological sciences, computer science, early childhood education, economics, elementary education, English, history, hospitality and restaurant management, interdisciplinary studies, journalism and public communication, justice, languages, mathematics, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and theater. The Bachelor of Business Administration degree (B.B.A.) is awarded in accounting, economics, finance, global logistics management, management, management information systems, and marketing. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (B.F.A.) is awarded in art. The Bachelor of Human Services degree (B.H.S.) is awarded in human services. The Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree (B.L.S.) is awarded in liberal studies. The Bachelor of Music degree (B.M.) is awarded in music education emphasis and performance. The Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) is awarded in anthropology, aviation technology, biological science, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, geological science, geomatics, health sciences, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, medical technology, natural science, nursing science, physical education, psychology, sociology, and technology. The Bachelor of Social Work degree (B.S.W.) is offered in social work.

The Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) is awarded with a general studies program. The Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) is awarded in accounting; air traffic control; apprenticeship technologies; architectural engineering technology; automotive technology; aviation administration; aviation maintenance technology; business computer information systems; computer information and office systems; construction management; culinary arts; dental assisting; dental hygiene; early childhood development; fire service administration; geomatics; heavy duty transportation and equipment; human services; medical assisting; medical laboratory technology; nursing; occupational safety and health; paramedical technology; professional piloting; radiologic technology; small business administration; telecommunications, electronics, and computer technology; and welding and nondestructive testing technology.

Certificate programs designed to meet the needs of students who wish to attain a high level of proficiency in specific career areas are offered in applied ethics, architectural drafting, automotive technology, aviation maintenance technology, civil drafting, computer and networking technology, computer information and office systems, dental assisting, early childhood development, geographic information systems, heavy duty transportation and equipment, logistics, industrial welding technology, massage therapy, mechanical and electrical drafting, nondestructive testing technology, paralegal studies, practical nursing, structural drafting, and telecommunications and electronic systems.

Academic Programs

UAA's fall semester begins in August, the spring semester in January, and the summer session in May. An undergraduate student who registers for 12 or more credits is considered to be full-time. The minimum number of credits that must be earned for a baccalaureate degree, including those accepted by transfer, is 120. A minimum of 60 semester credits is required to complete the Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degree programs. Completion requirements vary from one discipline to another. All degree programs offered by UAA require students to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0; some programs require a higher GPA.

Degree-seeking students with experience acquired outside the conventional college classroom have an opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement. UAA grants Advanced Placement credit for satisfactory performance (scores of 3 or higher) on the College Board Advanced Placement tests. UAA's credit-by-examination program rewards students who do well on either the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) or the challenge examinations, the latter of which are locally developed comprehensive exams covering specific subject areas. Credit may be granted for military service. Details on eligibility, restrictions, and procedures are in the course catalog.

Academic Facilities

The Consortium Library, located on the Anchorage campus, serves the academic clientele of the University and that of its nearby neighbor, Alaska Pacific University. The Anchorage campus consists of twenty academic, administrative, and laboratory structures. These include specially equipped buildings for the arts, culinary arts, allied health science, automotive and diesel, business, and engineering programs. The Merrill Aviation Complex houses the aviation program. In Anchorage, courses are also taught at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Fort Richardson, and ChugiakEagle River.

Costs

In 200405, Alaska residents paid $99 per credit hour. Nonresident students pay $330 per credit hour. Students enrolled under the Western Undergraduate Exchange pay $149 per credit hour. On-campus apartments and residence halls with meals range from $3115 to $3615 a semester. Extra funds are needed for student activity fees, textbooks, and miscellaneous expenses.

Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Aid assists students and prospective students in securing the funds needed to begin or continue studies at the University. The state and federal government make available financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and employment opportunities for students who demonstrate the need for such assistance. The amount and type of award may vary depending upon state and federal guidelines, student need, and availability of funds. Applications for aid should be received by April 1 of the year the student plans to enroll. In addition to government funds, the University and many private organizations offer scholarships, tuition waivers, and veteran benefits.

Faculty

A high percentage of UAA faculty members have doctoral degrees. Students find their introductory classes taught by highly qualified and experienced faculty members. The student-faculty ratio on the Anchorage campus is 32:1, and the average class size is 30 to 35. Faculty members in the academic units also serve students as academic advisers.

Student Government

The Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage (USUAA) is the sole official representative for students on campus. This body is duly recognized by the Board of Regents. USUAA administers funds for various student organizations, programs, and activities, such as movie tickets, concerts, dances, special events, lectures, legal services, the Club Council, the student radio station, and the student newspaper.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to a certificate or associate degree program, a student should have earned either a high school diploma, a GED, or at least 60 college-level semester credits; otherwise, the student must be at least 18 years of age and have participated in UAAs Ability to Benefit process. The certificate or associate degreeseeking freshman (with fewer than 30 college-level semester credits) must submit a final official high school transcript or official GED score. Official transcripts from all accredited colleges and universities are also required. In addition, students are recommended to take an approved placement test.

To qualify for admission to baccalaureate programs, a student must satisfy at least one of the following criteria: graduation from high school with a GPA of at least 2.50 or successful completion of the GED and completion of either the SAT, ACT, or an approved test; or completion of at least 30 college-level semester credits with a GPA of at least 2.0 and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of UAAs Ability to Benefit Process; or completion of at least 60 college-level semester credits with a GPA of at least a 2.0. Baccalaureate degree-seeking freshmen (with fewer than 30 college-level semester credits) must submit final official high school transcripts or official GED score; official copies of ACT, SAT, or approved test scores; and official transcripts from all accredited colleges and universities.

To qualify as a transfer student, a student must graduate from high school and have earned 30 college-level semester credits. A student who has not graduated from high school must have 60 college-level credits or complete the Ability to Benefit process.

International students who intend to reside in the U.S for the purpose of pursuing a certificate or degree as F-1 visa students and need a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status must meet University and degree program admission requirements. In addition to being admitted to an undergraduate program, international students must submit the following: an official TOEFL score of at least 450 for the paper-based test or 133 for the compute$r-based test; a statement of financial support for the anticipated period of study and evidence of the funds, such as a bank statement; and English translations of all required documents.

Application and Information

Prospective baccalaureate degree, associate degree, and certificate students must submit the application for admission and a nonrefundable $40 application fee. Deadlines for receipt of the application and all supporting documents are July 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester.

For more information concerning admission or the general curriculum, students should contact: