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Alaska Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to Alaska teacher preparation programs is meant to provide aspiring teachers with the most relevant options for pursuing teaching degrees in Alaska. There are several colleges and universities in the state that offer programs focused on preparing new teachers for a long career in the educational sector. For more information, scroll down to find a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs and top-rated teaching programs in Alaska, as well as profiles of select programs. Whether you’re entering college for the first time or looking to change your current career, our guide to teaching schools in Alaska can help you find a program that fits your individual needs and personal career goals.

Table of Contents

Quick Facts

  • There are 6 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Alaska.1
  • 3 schools offer an associate’s degree in education.1
  • 3 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in education.1
  • 4 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.1
  • No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020.2
  • No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2022.3
  • 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2022.4
  • 4 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.5

For not-for-profit schools with teacher degree programs.

Comparison of Alaska Schools with Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Alaska according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution, for both traditional and alternative programs, for the 2018-2019 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education reports under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality. Traditional teacher preparation programs are usually completed as part of a bachelor’s degree program. Alternative certification programs are typically designed for career changers looking to enter the field and lead to a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree. Many schools in our table offer both traditional and alternative programs. Take a look at our Alaska traditional and alternative certification guides for more information.

Finally, we have provided the net price per year for undergraduate tuition, based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

State-Approved SchoolCAEP Accred.?5Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment 6Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers6Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate6Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 6Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers7Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate 6Net Price1
Alaska Pacific UniversityYes——————$20,944
University of Alaska AnchorageYes——————$11,283
University of Alaska FairbanksYes——————$10,778
University of Alaska SoutheastYes——————$10,506

  • — indicates none or not applicable.
  • N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Alaska

US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2022

  • University of Alaska-Fairbanks (#221 tie)
  • University of Alaska-Southeast (#233 tie)

Select Alaska Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees

University of Alaska Anchorage

As of 2019, the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) School of Education no longer offers initial teaching certification programs. Instead, UAA provides advanced learning and certification opportunities for qualified applicants, including graduate certificates and Master of Education (MEd) degrees. Areas of focus include Educational Leadership; Language Education; Special Education; and Teaching and Learning. Students interested in obtaining teacher certification while staying in the Anchorage area can complete an Associate of Arts (AA) at UAA and then the online degree completion program at UAF through the 2+2 program. The UAA School of Education strives to prepare teaching professionals for leadership roles in the Alaska education system and beyond through rigorous academic research, interdisciplinary studies, and community collaboration. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education is also available, which prepares students to work with children eight years old and under in a variety of community settings.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is home to the School of Education, which offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. The School categorizes its degrees into five categories: Elementary, Secondary, Graduate, Counseling, and Special Education. All degree programs are available in Fairbanks with distance education options. A two-year degree completion program (2+2 program) leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education is also available to students who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Students in education programs at UAF learn how to provide high-quality educational programs with a specific focus on the needs of rural, Native, and multicultural populations. The importance of educational technology in reaching students in remote areas is also addressed and placement opportunities are available at schools throughout the state.

Schools with Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate’s degree can be the first step towards a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree. The following Alaska schools offer associate’s degrees in education.1 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

Alaska Christian College
35109 Royal Pl
Soldotna, AK 99669
(907) 260-7422
www.alaskacc.edu

Ilisagvik College
100 Stevenson St
Utqiagvik, AK 99723
(907) 852-3333
www.ilisagvik.edu

University of Alaska Fairbanks*
1731 S Chandalar Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99775
(907) 474-7034
www.uaf.edu

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2021.
3. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. US Department of Education 2020 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx