Five years before Alaska became America’s 49th state, the University of Alaska at Anchorage was created in 1954 as the Last Frontier’s first comprehensive public research institution. As the largest member of the multi-site statewide system, UAA enrolls more than 20,000 students annually in a diverse, open-access environment. UAA is located on a beautiful 387-acre urban campus in the populated hub of Anchorage along Cook Inlet in south-central Alaska. Across its nine academic divisions, the University of Alaska at Anchorage offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Thanks to their long-standing tradition of excellence, UAA has been ranked as the 68th best regional college, 24th top public school, and 23rd best university for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. In particular, UAA was recognized for hosting America’s 30th best online education degrees. Forbes magazine placed the University of Alaska at Anchorage as the 95th top value college in the West. For 16 straight years, UAA’s Medical School ranked #1 in teaching programs for rural medicine. The student-faculty ratio at the University of Alaska at Anchorage remains low at 12:1 with over half of all classes having less than 20 students.

University of Alaska at Anchorage Accreditation Details

UAA has been formally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1974. In addition to its regional accreditation, many departments of the University of Alaska at Anchorage have gone the extra step to receive discipline-specific accreditations. Over 70 of UAA’s academic programs have external accreditation. For instance, business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Air traffic control and aviation-related programs are given the stamp of approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for meeting high standards. Teaching degrees are also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

University of Alaska at Anchorage Application Requirements

Even though the University of Alaska at Anchorage has an open enrollment policy, admissions is still rather selective with an acceptance rate of 79 percent. First-time students must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Incoming freshmen should have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5, but those landing between 2.0 and 2.49 can be admitted on probation. Satisfactory scores on the SAT and/or ACT score are required too. Transfer students to UAA should have 24 or more transferrable college-level semester credits with a GPA of 2.0 or above. Incoming transfers are only accepted from regionally accredited colleges and universities.

Graduate students seeking to earn their master’s or doctorate from the University of Alaska at Anchorage must already possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent. In general, graduates must carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to show academic promise. Depending on the program of study, graduate applicants may be required to submit satisfactory scores for the GRE or MAT. International students with I-20 or F-1 visa status can be admitted based on immigration status. Proof of English proficiency with a 450 paper-based or 45 Internet-based TOEFL score is mandatory.

Prior to the posted deadlines, interested students should apply for admission to the University of Alaska at Anchorage online by submitting the following:

• Completed admission application
• Official high school and/or college transcripts
• Final ACT, SAT, GRE, MAT, or other UAA-approved test scores
• International credentials evaluations (if needed)
• Payment for the non-refundable $50 application fee

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate students at UAA who are Alaska residents will pay $4,392 in tuition each year. Non-residents pursuing their undergraduate degree full-time must afford annual tuition of $15,576. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) gives a slight discount for students residing in Western states to pay $6,576 annually. At the graduate level, the University of Alaska at Anchorage charges $7,614 per academic year for Alaska residents. Full-time graduate students from outside of Alaska must pay $15,552 annually in tuition. Students should also budget around $1,350 for textbooks, $6,492 for room and board, $1,393 for fees, and $5,503 for personal supplies each year.

To make attending the University of Alaska at Anchorage more affordable, newly matriculated students are automatically considered for financial aid with their FAFSA. Nearly 50 percent of full-time students receive need-based financial aid. UAA students can fund their education through Federal Direct loans, PLUS loans, and private loans, but borrowing should be cautious. Certain students with financial need could qualify for the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, or Alaska Education Grant. The University of Alaska Completion Grant is also available for students with an EFC under $8,000. Scholarships, such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Alumni Association Scholarship, Commit to Success Scholarship, and Second Bridge Scholarship, are abundant.

Degrees Available from University of Alaska at Anchorage

UAA has the mission of guiding students on the path to scholarly success with diverse academic offerings in a rich, inclusive learning environment. Students at the University of Alaska at Anchorage can currently select from 31 associate’s, 44 bachelor’s, 29 master’s, six doctoral, and a vast array of certificate programs. Through UAOnline, it’s also possible for students to enroll in convenient distance learning classes via the Internet. The retention rate at UAA is 71 percent, which bodes well for student satisfaction with their education. Two notable degree programs offered by the University of Alaska at Anchorage include:

B.S. in Aviation Administration

As part of the Center of Excellence for General Aviation (CGAR) collaborative, the B.S. in Aviation Administration program is uniquely offered by UAA to prepare students for assuming managerial roles within airport operations. In addition to an appropriate technical background, the program develops the business acumen, leadership skills, and human relations abilities necessary within administration. Within the 121-credit curriculum, students will take courses ranging from marketing and microeconomics to aircraft accident investigation and aviation safety. Students can also pursue the Professional Piloting certificate to become a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).

M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education

Requiring the completion of 36 credits, the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education program is designed for graduate students who are interested in working with young children from birth through five years of age who have special needs. The specialized pre-service training program focuses on preparing early interventionists for supporting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers diagnosed with disabilities. Along with coursework, aspiring educators must complete an intensive semester-long advanced internship in a public preschool setting. The University of Alaska at Anchorage provides similar degrees for Educational Leadership, Special Education, Counselor Education, Secondary Education, and Teaching & Learning too.

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