School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences

  • The mission of the School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences is to enhance the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve by educating and preparing competent professionals in therapeutic, preventive, and rehabilitation sciences.

    Message from Director

School of Preventive & Therapeutic Sciences


Students performing a breathing test on a stationary bike
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. 

 

NEWS & Stories

  • Photo shows a closed door with a sign on it that reads "UAA Seawolf Food Pantry." A small table next to the door has several canned food items and decorations.

    Food insecurity at UAA

     |  Kaitlyn Gaub  |  , ,

    Almost half of UAA students have experienced food insecurity. UAA offers several resources to combat hunger and food insecurity, including the Seawolf Food Pantry, which supplies non-perishable foods, as well as three-day emergency food support.

  • Dr. Corrie Whitmore stands in front of windows on the UAA campus. She is wearing glasses and smiling.

    College of Health faculty leads the way in FASD prevention through nurse education

     |  Alison Miller  |  , , ,

    Dr. Corrie Whitmore, an associate professor in the Division of Population Health Sciences, and her team at UAA’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services are celebrating the recent publication of a new article. The paper, which was published in the Dec. 2025 issue of Nursing for Women’s Health, offers a framework and actionable strategies for nurses to improve communication and patient experience in discussions around substance use and contraception.

  • Amana Mbise stands in front of a screen with a slide that reads "Background: Barbershops and Health." He is gesturing and speaking to an audience (not pictured)

    Researchers examine the role Black barbershops play as health care spaces for men

     |  Matt Jardin  |  , , ,

    School of Social Work Assistant Professor Amana Mbise and ISER Research Assistant Professor Nathan West are exploring the relationships that Black barbershops play in men's health. Their community-based research prioritizes the lived experiences of the men they talk to, and is revealing how barbershops function not just as grooming spaces, but as social and cultural hubs.

  • Stacy Brunquist stands in front of a wall of windows in the UAA Spine. She is wearing a pink and white patterned shirt and smiling at the camera.

    COH graduate student commencement speaker Stacy Brunquist: Special delivery

     |  Matt Jardin  |  , ,

    As a neonatal nurse practitioner at Providence Alaska Children’s Hospital and adjunct faculty member for the UAA School of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice alumna and graduate student hooding ceremony speaker for the fall Class of 2025 Stacy Brunquist weaves education into everything she does — training new caregivers, guiding parents learning to care for their newborns, and sharing knowledge with professionals from Utqiaġvik to Sitka.

  • ACFTA team members Joanne Wiita, Angelia Trujillo, and Kathi Trawver stand in front of a mosaic, smiling.

    Alaska legislature staff visit ACFTA awareness event

     |  Alison Miller  |  ,

    On Nov. 13, the College of Health hosted a legislative event highlighting the Alaska Comprehensive Forensic Training Academy (ACFTA) in the Health Sciences Building. Co-led by Nursing Professor Angelia Trujillo, D.N.P., and Social Work Professor Kathi Trawver, Ph.D., the event brought together health care professionals, community partners, and legislators to learn more about ACFTA’s mission.


Student & Community sERVICES

dental clinic

Dental Clinic

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.

dental clinic

Human Performance Lab

Welcome to the UAA Human Performance Lab, your hub for cutting-edge research, personalized assessments, and fitness optimization.

Seawolf Food Pantry

Seawolf Food Pantry

Established by the Dietetics & Nutrition faculty, the Seawolf Food Pantry exists to help the nearly 45% of UAA students who experience food insecurity. 

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Upcoming Events

 

Contact Us:
Phone: (907) 786-6933
Email: uaa.therapeutic.sciences@alaska.edu

 

Location:

UAA School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences
Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Drive, PSB 146
Anchorage, Alaska 99508

 

Mailing Address:
UAA School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences
3211 Providence Drive, PSB 146
Anchorage, Alaska 99508

 

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