The UAA School of Social Work is dedicated to advancing social work practice in Alaska
through baccalaureate and master’s education, research, and service. Social work is
a profession committed to ethical and research-informed practice that assists individuals,
families, groups, organizations, and communities, advances social, economic, and environmental
justice, and engages in policy practice. The School of Social Work offers the following
degrees and certificates:
The UAA MSW program is an advanced generalist MSW program—the ideal curriculum model
to meet the significant and complex needs spanning across the community needs of Alaska.
Prepares for a career in tribal and state child welfare services and gain skills essential
to becoming effective members of interprofessional child welfare teams.
UAA's School of Social Work received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address the need for Alaska social workers in a K-12 setting. The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development program (SSWEND) aims to graduate a cohort of 31 fellows by 2026 who will increase the amount of school-based mental health service providers in high-needs schools.
Master of Social Work student Shana Cooper works with the Alaska Native Justice Center. She joined the Hometown, Alaska podcast to talk about mental health and suicide prevention in the state.
A Gala was held to celebrate the School of Social Work Spring graduates. About 100 people attended the event, filling the room with bustling conversation. Five students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs share why social work motivates them.
"For all those deciding what to do following high school, I encourage you to find your passion, that spark that brings you joy and motivation. If you don’t quite know what you want to do with your life, that is okay. When you find the path that motivates you, take each small step one by one, but don’t stop growing," said MSW student Guy Harris.
A $1.5 million grant coordinated by Recover Alaska was presented to the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Social Work, which will significantly increase enrollment capacity, establish a pathway to licensure for graduates, add faculty and staffing, and offer continuing education to maintain clinical licenses.
Project BLENDS is a training program designed to prepare graduates to work collaboratively
to support infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children with high intensity social-emotional
needs and their families.
The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development Program (Project SSWEND)
is an innovative partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Anchorage
School District (ASD).
AK-IDLC is a program that trains graduate students in the delivery of culturally responsive
behavioral health care using face-to-face and telehealth methods.
OML is an state-wide women veterans project to connect women veterans with resources
in Alaska, to build the Alaska women veteran community, and to acknowledge the achievements
of women veterans.