Bachelor of Social Work Program

To find out more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program contact Kathi Trawver, the BSW Program Coordinator, at krtrawver@alaska.edu or (907) 786-6915. To schedule a meeting with one of our advisors contact our office at (907) 786-6900.

• Bachelor of Social Work Program Overview

  Social Work is a profession committed to assisting individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and society as a whole in the improvement of the quality of life through the improvement of social problems, equitable distribution of social resources, and client empowerment. The educational purpose of the BSW program at the UAA is to prepare graduates for beginning professional social work practice. Preparation for professional practice builds on a broad-based liberal arts education accomplished through completion of General Education and Major degree requirements. Within an overall emphasis on consumer-centered planned change, the BSW degree program at UAA is guided by the following principles:

  • Social work practice is based on selective use of knowledge in planned efforts with human systems and social problems.
  • Social work practice recognizes human diversity as a strength.
  • Social work practice is based on:
  • Professional values and ethics.
  • Professional relationships.
  • Reciprocal role performance.
  • A strengths perspective.

  Our program engages students in carefully planned experiences to achieve the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for beginning professional practice. These experiences take place in the classroom, laboratory, volunteer experience, small seminars, and selected field work practicum placements. The practicum placement is an essential component for completion of the professional degree for the BSW.

  *The Bachelor of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). BSW program admission and curriculum requirements are consistent with BSW licensing requirements for the State of Alaska.

• Mission and Goals

  The mission of the UAA BSW program is to prepare generalist social workers who enhance human well-being and promote social and economic justice for people of all backgrounds, particularly those in Alaska. Alaska's unique and  rich multicultural populations, geographic remoteness, and frontier status allow the real potential for skilled social work professionals to make a profound impact on social and economic injustice in our state.

  Based upon this mission, our goals are to prepare generalist social work practitioners who are:

  • Competent in multiple entry-level practice roles across client systems, particularly within the state of Alaska.
  • Committed to the enhancement of human well-being.
  • Committed to the promotion of social and economic justice for people of all backgrounds, particularly those in Alaska.
  • Guided by by the values and ethical standards of the social work profession.
  • Prepared to enhance the quality of service delivery systems.
  • Knowledgeable, skillful, and sensitive with people from diverse backgrounds.