Our nursing undergraduate programs prepare students to deliver
excellent patient care in a wide variety of settings. They will also
explore the unique challenges and opportunities for nurses in Alaska.
From advanced simulation technology to real-world clinical learning experiences, the
nursing undergraduate program offers the skills and resources to become a successful
nursing generalist. The curriculum provides a strong foundation of theories and skills,
training to think on your feet and apply your learnings to different situations. As
a nursing major, you’ll explore important health care topics, including community
care, population health, and clinical research. You will become part of an active,
dedicated community of peers working to improve health and well-being in Alaska and
around the world.
The School of Nursing offers potential students interested in becoming qualified to
practice as a registered nurse theAAS in Nursingand theBS in Nursing. The programs areoffered through UAA and are based in Anchorage but admit students in a growing number
of other communities throughout the state. A baccalaureate completion program (RN to BS) is available for individuals who already hold the RN license in Alaska.
*The BS in Nursing and AAS in Nursing programs are designed to meet the educational
requirements for professional licensure or certification in Alaska. However, the program
might not meet the educational requirements for other states' professional licensure
or certification. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certification website for more information.
WHY CHOOSE nursing undergraduate programs AT UAA?
Qualify to sit for the National Certification and Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses.
Access thousands of medical references for in-depth research in the Alaska Medical
Library.
Learn from expert faculty and collaborate with other healthcare disciplines in interprofessional
exercises.
The AAS in Nursing and BS in Nursing are fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission
for Education in Nursing.
The newest iteration of the Della Keats Health Sciences Program focuses on serving Alaska Native/American Indian high school students interested in healthcare careers.
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.