University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) History and Academics

History

The University of Alaska Anchorage began its journey inside of a high school in Alaska as Anchorage Community College. Established in 1954, Anchorage Community College opened using the facilities of Anchorage High School during the evening hours. As time passed and more students enrolled, the community college became Anchorage Senior College. In 1969, the college began to teach upper-division classes to students. Soon after, the college became a four-year institution named University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in the year 1976. The merging of Anchorage Community College and the rural extension units took place in 1987 to create the present institution.

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Information Summary

Ranks 6th in Alaska and 1743rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	68.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$27,190
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	67% / 47%
Enrollment Total (all students)	14,644

Academics

This university has quite a few distinctions. It is the largest school in the University of Alaska System. The university is also the largest post-secondary institution in the state of Alaska. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits this school. The university currently offers vocational certificates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees, professional certificates, and associate degrees in nearly 150 majors, including education, health science, art, and human resources. Students build a strong educational foundation and learn practical job skills that prepare students for professional careers after graduating.

Currently the university offers over 20 certificates, 30 associate degrees, over 50 bachelor’s degrees, a couple doctorate degrees, and more than 30 master’s degrees. The university is comprised of ten teaching units that include College of Health and Social Welfare, College of Education, School of Engineering, Community and Technical College, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Social Work, School of Nursing, Graduate Division, University Honors Program, and College of Business and Public Policy. For administrative purposes, the university has four community college campuses that include Prince William Sound Community College, Matanuska-Susitna College, Kodiak College, and Kenai Peninsula College.

One of the fastest growing divisions is the Aviation Technology Division. The division experienced a 300% increase in enrollment during the 2006 academic school year. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science and an Associate of Applied Science in Professional Piloting, Air Traffic Control, and Aviation Administration. One distinguishing thing about the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Technology Division is its relationship with the Center of Excellence for General Aviation (CGAR). Members of this group include Wichita State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida A&M University, University of North Dakota, and University of Alaska.

UAA offers Distance Education Services for interested students. Offering distance courses is very important. Students need alternative methods to earn a degree that fits each person’s individual needs. Distance learning helps students earn a degree or certificate and achieve personal goals. Students learn a wide variety of skills that help students to make themselves more marketable in the global economy of today. The university offers distance education programs in certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and associate areas. The degrees and certificates include corrections, dental assisting, supply chain management graduate certificate, nursing, medical imaging, educational leadership, arctic engineering, early childhood special education, public health practice, social work, and speech, language, and auditory pathology.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Application Process

First time college students applying for admission to earn a certificate or associate’s degree should adhere to the following requirements: submit an application (use the Associate/Certificate-No College application) and pay the non-refundable application fee and submit a high school diploma, GED test results, or Ability to Benefit certificate (students 18 years of age or older).

First year students who wish to receive admittance to earn a bachelor’s degree must submit a completed application (use the Bachelor-No College application) and submit the non-refundable application fee, hold a high school diploma with a GPA of 2.5 or higher (students with lower GPA may be admitted on a probationary basis), and completion of the ACT, SAT or UAA approved test. Students may also be accepted with GED test results.

Transfer students need the following to qualify for admission: application (associate/certificate prior college application)and non-refundable application fee, official transcripts from regionally accredited school mailed to the UAA Office of Admissions or email transcript from secured provider, and GED test results or high school transcripts or Ability to Benefit Certificate (students 18 years of age or older).

Students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree must have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher (students may be accepted on a probationary basis with a GPA of less than 2.5) and successfully completed the SAT, UAA approved test or SAT. Students should complete the Bachelor-Prior College application. Transfer student with more than 30 college credits only require a GPA of 2.0 or 1.75 to 1.99 for probationary admission.

International students must complete an application and submit a non-refundable application fee, the student’s sponsor must complete 2 Affidavits of Support and have each notarized, submit a signed Admissions Agreement, sponsor must provide an original bank statement showing at least 32,000 USD in available funds (statement must be in the past six months), arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the UAA Admissions office, and complete TOEFL and have officials scores sent to the university. Students should follow the steps of the specific department in which they are applying.

Graduate students who wish to earn a certificate or master’s degree or higher must submit an application and a non-refundable application fee, submit official documentation of all college level courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and submit official GMAT or GRE scores to the university. International credentials must be evaluated by an international credentials evaluation service that the university recognizes.

Deadline dates for admission are early June for the fall semester, early November for the spring semester, and early may for the summer semester.

Financial Aid

The financial aid process begins with completing the FAFSA application. This application determines the type of financial aid that student qualifies for and the amount of financial assistance that each student receives. Grants, Federal Work-Study Programs, loans, scholarships, tuition waivers, and veteran’s benefits are all ways to finance an education.

The current maximum amount of Pell Grant funding that students qualify for is $5,550. The amount that students receive depends on the cost of tuition, financial need, and status (full-time or part-time). Grants do not require repayment so this is a great way to pay for an education. Other forms of grants include Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Teach Grant, Alaska Advantage Education Grant, University of Alaska Grant, and GEAR UP Grant.

Loans and Work-Study programs are available as well. Students may work up to 20 hours per week and earn at least minimum wage. Students should contact the UAA Human Resources Department for more details. Federal loans are available to students to complete the FAFSA application. Alternative loans are available through banks and other financial institutions for students who qualify. Creditworthiness is a huge factor in receiving monies, and loan rates vary according to this factor.

Students qualify for scholarships according to specific criteria. A few of the scholarships include UAA Dr. Jon Baker Memorial Scholarship, UAA Quianna Clay Debate Scholarship, UAA Chancellors GCE Academic Decathlon Tuition Waiver Scholarship, UAA General Scholarship, UAA Feminist Scholarship, and UAA Excellent in Military Scholarship. Department scholarships and outside scholarships are also available.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4995th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Alaska.

Students

The university currently has three residential housing units that include North, West, and East Halls. There are two apartment complexes: Templewood Apartments and Main Apartment Complex (MAC). Students may utilize The Commons, which is an area to socialize and gather in the residential complex. Students may enjoy a computer lab, fitness center, dining, and conference rooms.

There are several publications that students may enjoy, including, The Alaska Quarterly, a campus literary magazine; Accolades, a magazine for alumni and friends of the university; Understory, a magazine run by the graduate students in the Creative Writing and Literary Arts; True North, a yearly magazine produced by the Department of Journalism and Public Communication, and Northern Light, a student newspaper.

Several student organizations and groups may interest students. There are two sororities (Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Sigma Sigma) and one fraternity (Sigma Alpha Epsilon). Taking part in student clubs and groups helps students gain the true college experience. A few of the groups include Accounting Club, Campus Christian Movement, Cardinal Newman Club, Bike Club, Culinary Arts Club, Construction Management Club, Hip Hop Club, and Historical Outreach Program.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The Anchorage Seawolves participate in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association, and Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The 11 sports team include men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, gymnastics, hockey, men’s and women’s skiing, men’s and women’s track and field, and volleyball. The Seawolves’ colors are gold and green.

The athletic facilities include Wells Fargo Sports Complex, volleyball, basketball, and gymnastics; George M. Sullivan Arena, hockey and basketball tournaments; Kincaid Park and Alyeska Ski Resort, cross country; and The Dome, an inflatable athletic facility.

Additional School Information

This school’s teams were once known as the Sourdoughs. In 1977, the teams adopted the Seawolf instead, as the teams moved to the NCAA Division II level. According to the Tlingit Indian legend, the Seawolf brings luck to its viewers.

University of Alaska Anchorage