University of Alaska Anchorage


The University of Alaska Anchorage is a public university in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. UAA also administers four community campuses spread across Southcentral Alaska: Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak College, Matanuska–Susitna College, and Prince William Sound College. Between the community campuses and the main Anchorage campus, roughly 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are currently enrolled at UAA. It is Alaska's largest institution of higher learning and the largest university in the University of Alaska System.
UAA's main campus is located approximately southeast of its downtown area in the University-Medical District, adjacent to the Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska Pacific University and Providence Alaska Medical Center. UAA is divided into five instructional and research units at the Anchorage campus: the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Public Policy, the Community and Technical College, College of Engineering, and the College of Health. UAA offers master's degrees and graduate certificates in select programs, and the ability to complete certain PhD programs through cooperating universities through its Graduate Division.
UAA is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. In 2019, UAA's School of Education lost Initial Preparation specialized accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The school's Advanced Preparation program successfully renewed CAEP-accreditation during annual review in 2021. As of May 2022, the School of Education has provisional approval from the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development to offer a bachelor's degree in early childhood education that leads to licensure.

History

In 1954, the Anchorage Community College was founded and began offering evening classes to 414 students at Elmendorf Air Force Base. In 1962, the ACC, and other community colleges around the state were incorporated into the University of Alaska statewide system. Five years later, ACC began offering both day and evening classes at the main campus' current location in the University-Medical district. ACC provided academic study for associate degrees and the first two years of work toward baccalaureate degrees.
In the late 1960s, strong interest in establishing a four-year university in Anchorage brought about the birth of the University of Alaska, Anchorage Senior College . While ACC administered the lower division college, ASC administered upper division and graduate programs leading to baccalaureate and master's degrees, as well as continuing education for professional programs. In 1971, the first commencement was held at West Anchorage High School, where 265 master's, baccalaureate and associate degrees were awarded. ASC moved to the Consortium Library Building in 1973. The following year, when the first classroom and office facility was completed, daytime courses were offered for the first time. In 1977, ASC became a four-year university and was renamed the University of Alaska, Anchorage . Ten years later, ACC and UA,A merged to become what is now known as the University of Alaska Anchorage .
Since 1987, the university has continued to grow and expand. More than 200 programs, ranging from certificate programs to associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees, are offered at campuses in Anchorage and community campuses and extension centers throughout Southcentral Alaska.
The University of Alaska Anchorage is an open-access university with roughly 17,000 students. In addition to thousands of students from across the state, the university retains a large commuter population from in and around Anchorage, many of whom are non-traditional or returning students. Nearly ten percent of the student population is from outside of Alaska or the United States. UAA also has the largest population of student veterans in the state.

Academics

Alaska Native Studies

A notable aspect of the curriculum offerings at UAA is the Alaska Native Studies program. All undergraduate students are now required to complete at least three credits in designated Alaska Native related academic courses to satisfy the new requirement. The new requirement is part of a broader effort to integrate knowledge about the diversity, perspectives and history of Alaska Native and Indigenous peoples into the university's curriculum. In addition to courses on Alaska Native languages, history and literature, UAA also offers Alaska Native arts courses through the Fine Arts and Alaska Native studies programs, where students have the opportunity to learn traditional carving skills, drum making, bead work and other forms of indigenous knowledge. The Alaska Native Art Program focuses on the history, skills and traditions found in indigenous Alaskan art. Students learn techniques of harvesting and working with natural materials such as animal hide, wood, bone, and ivory for art making. The Native Arts studio is equipped with both traditional and modern tools. Visiting elders from all over Alaska teach techniques used to create objects that represent their cultural roots. All students regardless of background are encouraged to explore both traditional and experimental practices in order to find their personal form of expression.

3+3 law school partnerships

The University of Alaska Anchorage currently partners with the University of Washington School of Law and Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon to provide qualified students with the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree and Juris Doctor degree on an accelerated schedule, typically in six years rather than the usual seven. These are often referred to as 3+3 programs or an Accelerated JD Program because students spend three years as undergraduates and three years in law school.

International collaboration

The university is an active member of the University of the Arctic. UArctic is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of more than 200 universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arctic region.
The university also participates in UArctic's mobility program north2north. The aim of that program is to enable students of member institutions to study in different parts of the North.

Aviation technology

UAA offers Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in:
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Aviation Administration
  • Professional Piloting
An associate of applied science degree is also offered in:
  • Aviation Maintenance
The University of Alaska Aviation Technology division is part of Center of Excellence for General Aviation, a collaborative research effort between the following member universities:
  • Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Florida A&M University
  • University of North Dakota
  • Wichita State University

    Colleges and schools

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business and Public Policy
  • School of Education
  • College of Health and Social Welfare
  • *Medical School – within the "WWAMI" partnership
  • *School of Nursing
  • *School of Social Work
  • Community and Technical College
  • College of Engineering
  • University Honors Program
  • Graduate School

    Libraries

  • UAA/APU Consortium Library
  • Alvin S. Okeson Library
  • Carolyn Floyd Library

    Financial aid

  • Alaska Advantage Education Grant
  • GEAR UP
  • University of Alaska Grant

    Centers and institutes

As a center of research and understanding, UAA sponsors research, training, public service and other activities related to northern populations and in support of local and regional economic development. The state's vast resources and unique challenges are central to these sponsored programs and specialty research. They address concerns of Anchorage and Alaska communities as well as issues of national and international interest. Below is a list of institutes and centers that support the university:
  • Alaska Center for Rural Health/Alaska's Area Health Education Center
  • Alaska Center for Supply Chain Integration
  • Alaska Natural Heritage Program
  • Alaska Small Business Development Center
  • Center for Alaska Education Policy Research
  • Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
  • Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services
  • Center for Community Engagement and Learning
  • Center for Economic Development
  • Center for Economic Education
  • Center for Human Development
  • Environment and Natural Resources Institute
  • Ethics Center
  • Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
  • Institute of Social and Economic Research
  • Justice Center
  • Montgomery Dickson Center for Japanese Language and Culture
  • Psychological Services Center

    Nationally competitive scholarships

In 2009, Kelcie Ralph received the first Marshall Scholarship awarded to a UAA student.
As of 2016, twelve UAA students have received Fulbright Scholarships.
In 2017, Samantha M. Mack became the first UAA graduate to receive a Rhodes Scholarship.
Numerous UAA students have won various nationally competitive scholarships, including the Harry S. Truman Scholarship and the German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship.

Rankings

U.S. News & World Report in its 2020 rankings ranked UAA tied for 25th among public regional universities in the West and tied for 62nd among all regional universities in the West. Forbes in 2019 ranked UAA 635th among 650 colleges and universities and 116th in the West.

Publications

  • Accolades is the University of Alaska Anchorage Magazine for Alumni and Friends.
  • The Alaska Quarterly Review is a literary magazine published by UAA.
  • The student newspaper is The Northern Light.
  • Understory is a magazine run by Creative Writing and Literary Arts graduate students, open for submissions from any UAA undergraduate student.
  • True North is a yearly magazine produced by students in the Department of Journalism and Public Communications.