Welcome to the School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences (SPaTS) at UAA, where
innovation meets excellence in education. Our diverse range of programs, led by accomplished
program directors and dedicated faculty, is tailored to equip students with the knowledge
and skills needed to thrive in the dynamic healthcare landscape. From Dental Assisting
and Dental Hygiene to Dietetics and Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist
Assistant, Speech-Language Pathology, and Physical Education & Recreation, our mission
is to cultivate compassionate professionals who are well-prepared to meet industry
demands while making a meaningful impact on the well-being of individuals and communities.
Join us in addressing the vital needs of the healthcare field while embarking on a
journey of personal and professional growth. Your future in health and wellness starts
here!
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Note: Admissions to the Dental Assisting program (major and pre-major) are closed, as the program is in a teach-out status and will
be discontinued after July 2025. As such, no new students will be allowed to start
the program. If you are interested in the Dental Hygiene program or other healthcare programs, please see a College of Health advisor to discuss your options.
Recent graduate of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Hannah Bogden, reflects passionately on her two-week kayak expedition from Whittier to Valdez. She was joined by other students and two instructors, with the trip being part of a capstone course for the college’s outdoor leadership program.
Six students in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER)’s outdoor leadership program, and two instructors, completed a 14-day kayak capstone expedition.
For Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation outdoor leadership graduate Frank Schweers, a passion for exploring the outdoors led to new opportunities to help others visualize the outdoors using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Read more.
The Human Performance Lab has a new location with updated equipment. Witness demonstrations of the equipment and testing procedures at an upcoming open house event.
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation alumna shares her experience of being the first graduate of the Therapeutic Recreation concentration and recently passing her national CTRS exam.
The on-campus dental clinic enables students in the dental assisting and hygiene programs
to provide basic care to their fellow students and community members while honing
their skills.
Established by the Dietetics & Nutrition faculty, the Seawolf Food Pantry exists to
help the nearly 45% of UAA students who experience food insecurity.