In Alaska, prospective social workers must earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to become licensed. Accredited social work schools in Alaska can prepare you to work with the unique communities living in this northern state as well as communities elsewhere in the US and abroad. Select social work schools in Alaska also offer programs that can be completed online.
Quick Facts
- 2 schools offering social work programs in Alaska are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Alaska, none offer offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 2 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 1 offers a master’s or advanced degree1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- No schools ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 2 schools, 3 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Alaska are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Alaska
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of Alaska, Anchorage (#105 tie)
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- University of Alaska, Anchorage
- University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Schools in Alaska with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
University of Alaska, Anchorage
The University of Alaska system includes three independently operated campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Southeast, each with their own satellite campuses. The Anchorage location has the largest campus with over 16,000 undergraduate students. In 2016 US News and World Report ranked the university in a tie for 77th place in the Regional Universities (West) category. The University of Alaska, Anchorage School of Social Work offers a CSWE-accredited BSW program that focuses on generalist practice with Alaskan communities in urban, rural, and remote areas. In addition to the required social work courses, students must meet the university’s General Education requirements by taking courses in oral and written communication, math, humanities, fine arts, and social and natural sciences. The required 448 hours of field education can be completed either concurrently with coursework or as a block placement during the senior year.
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks’s Department of Social Work offers a CSWE-accredited BSW to prepare students to work in rural communities throughout Alaska using a generalist practice model. The program is based on foundations in liberal arts, behavioral sciences, and social work and incorporates Native Alaskan learning philosophies. UAF students can complete the program on campus in Fairbanks, via distance education online, or through an online-hybrid model. In the fully online program, students complete all their coursework over the internet and use audio conferencing to check in with teachers and classmates. In the hybrid program, students primarily study online and use audio conferencing tools but also meet in Fairbanks occasionally for intensive classroom learning. Regardless of the program delivery method chosen, all students complete 400 hours of supervised field education that will prepare them to work with diverse populations after graduation.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of Alaska, Anchorage
The School of Social Work at the University of Alaska, Anchorage offers the state’s only CSWE-accredited MSW program, which is delivered online and is therefore accessible to prospective social work students across the state and country. However, students are required to attend occasional intensive learning weekends in Anchorage and be available for scheduled online classes, making the learning environment more structured. The program has an advanced generalist focus, reflecting the fact that rural and remote social workers need diverse skills sets to address many different social issues in the communities in which they work. Students with particular practice interests can specialize in school social work, earn a dual degree in public health, or earn an additional certificate in Children’s Mental Health. The MSW program is offered through a two-year, full-time program; a four-year, part-time program; or an advanced standing program for applicants who already have a CSWE-accredited BSW.
Accreditation Information for Alaska Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accredited5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 25% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #105 tie | $7,715 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 32% | 20% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $8,383 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Alaska Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
University of Alaska Anchorage*
3211 Providence Dr
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1800
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/
Student Review: “The University of Alaska Anchorage social work program was one of the best experiences of my life. I am not a very academic person and I struggle with learning things that are simply taught and not practiced. The program at UAA was very hands on and I got so many useful lessons by practicing the lessons taught me not just reading about them from a book. Many of the classes were focused on discussing with my fellow classmates areas of social work we were learning, open discussion and debate were encouraged. When it came time to choose my internship, I was given lots of guidance and freedom to choose the organization that interested me. My professors throughout my whole time in the program were all very patient and understanding and really worked with me to make sure social work was for me, and that I would succeed.” – Student at University of Alaska Anchorage
Student Review: “The program I participated in was both theory and practice-oriented as part of the University of Alaska Anchorage. We had lectures and discussions on service, community, and self, followed by actually going out and volunteering with social service organizations. I really liked the mix of the academic and hands-on approaches because it made what we were learning a lot more practical due to being able to actively apply it in the field. The coursework was engaging, especially due to having professors who have had experience in the field, bringing those experiences into the classroom. They also had many connections in the community allowing for a variety of guest speakers to lectures. We were actively taught compassion for those around us and how to build the community to make it a better place for all. The only downside was the lack of space, making it hard for students to register for some classes. Overall it was a memorable program and one that I’d recommend for anyone that wants to get a new perspective on social work and social issues.” – Student at University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks*
505 S Chandalar Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7500
(907) 474-7211
http://www.uaf.edu
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx