Established by the Alaska Legislature in 1975, the UAA Justice Center provides statewide
leadership in justice education and research. As an interdisciplinary unit within
theUAA College of Health, we serve urban and rural Alaska to promote a safer, more just society.
Through our degree programs inCriminology & Criminal Justiceand our ABA-approved Legal Studiestracks, students gain the technical mastery and analytical skills required for professional
success. Our students learn alongside faculty experts whose research shapes Alaska’s
response to critical issues—from policing to crime prevention, community corrections
and reentry, and the courts.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Leading statewide efforts in criminal justice and criminology education, research
and service, the UAA Justice Center is a top choice among criminal justice schools
in Alaska and the U.S.
The Legal Studies BA program trains you in American law, legal processes and policy.
You’ll expand your legal knowledge and develop technical job skills in legal research,
analysis and writing.
WWAMI, a University of Washington medical school program that serves five western states, including Alaska, recently received a $25 million endowment for scholarships to increase the number of physicians in rural and Indigenous communities.
Dr. Jean Snyder’s career in family medicine has spanned decades, continents, and nearly every corner of patient care. Now, after years of serving communities across Alaska and beyond, she has been recognized as the Alaska Family Physician of the Year by the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians.
In January 2026, students from the College of Health showcased their public health research at the Alaska Public Health Association Summit’s annual poster session. Their projects spanned topics ranging from food security to environmental contamination, contributing valuable insights that help shape the evolving conversation around Alaska’s public health landscape.
Laura Aspelund is a second-year medical student in the Alaska WWAMI program. As a medical student mentor in the Alaska Native into Oncology (ANION) program, she helps guide Alaska Native high school and college students exploring careers in medicine.
The UAA College of Health proudly celebrated the recent renovation of Sally Monserud Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony showcasing the new high-tech labs and simulation center, expanded allied health programs, growth of the WWAMI program and critical partnerships addressing Alaska’s growing health care needs.
The Alaska Justice Information Center (AJiC) compiles, analyzes, and reports on criminal
justice topics in order to improve public safety, to increase criminal justice system
accountability, and to reduce recidivism.
The Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) provides comprehensive statewide and regional
data to guide planning and policy development and to evaluate the impact of prevention
and intervention services.
The Alaska Justice Forum is a research journal focusing on justice and legal issues in Alaska. It was published
by the Justice Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
The courtroom also provides opportunities to educate and inspire Alaska middle and
high school students to build partnerships with secondary legal education programs
and curricula.