master of social work
The University of Alaska Anchorage Master of Social Work program is a distance-delivered, advanced generalist MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education that prepares graduates for clinical social work practice, policy practice, and social work leadership. The advanced generalist concentration is the ideal curriculum model to meet the significant and complex workforce needs of Alaska. The advanced generalist curriculum is divided into the generalist curriculum and the advanced generalist curriculum, and it includes five course sequences across the curriculum: 1) social work practice, 2) policy, 3) human behavior in the social environment, 4) research, and 5) practicum education. The generalist curriculum prepares students to engage in generalist social work practice, and the advanced generalist curriculum prepares students to engage in advanced generalist practice. Graduates of the MSW program are eligible to pursue the Master Social Worker license (LMSW) or the Clinical Social Worker license (LCSW) through the State of Alaska’s Board of Social Work Examiners.
MSW alumni work with people across the lifespan in a wide variety of service delivery systems, including:
PROGRAM LOCATIONS
Catalog: Master of Social Work*
Catalog: Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health Dual Degree
*The Master of Social Work program is 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 Certificate website for more information.
WHY CHOOSE master of social work AT UAA?
In 2022, UAA MSW graduates who took the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam for the first time had a 96% pass rate.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, complete the UAA MSW program in as little as 12 months with full-time and part-time availability, as well as an Advanced Placement program.
Gain hands-on experience working in a community agency. Our MSW program provides extensive first-hand work experience through practicum placements that will prepare you for a career as an advanced generalist social worker.
The UAA MSW program is distance-delivered, allowing students to access the program and to connect with fellow students from rural and urban communities across the country.
NEWS & Stories
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.
Dacia Davis, a clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work and a graduate of UAA's MSW program, finds inspiration in teaching and community.
MiLee Yu is a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. In September 2025, MiLee was awarded the BSW Student of the Year award at the Biennial National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Alaska Chapter Conference.
The CAFE Oh Wow (COW) Awards are put on by the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) and honors faculty who show excellence in teaching, research/creative activity, mentorship, and more.
MSW student Keyshon China is dedicated to serving youth and underserved communities, gaining hands-on experience through UAA's School of Social Work and various extracurricular organizations.
MESSAGE FROM THE MSW PROGRAM CHAIR
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is designed to serve the entire state of Alaska through a fully distance-delivered format, making graduate education accessible no matter where you live. Whether you're in a rural village, a regional hub, or an urban center, the UAA MSW Program is here to support your journey toward becoming a skilled, compassionate, and culturally responsive agent of change. We offer a dynamic and rigorous curriculum rooted in the unique needs of Alaska’s diverse communities. Through engaging coursework, meaningful practicum placements, and a strong focus on ethical, empirically supported, and strengths-based practices, our program equips students to address complex social challenges and lead positive change across Alaska. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to take the next step in your professional journey, we’d love to help you get started. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions—I’m here to support you every step of the way.
— Matthew Cuellar, Ph.D, MSW
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Contact Us
Phone: (907) 786-6900
Email: uaa_socialwork@alaska.edu
UAA School of Social Work
UAA Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Dr, Suite 234
Anchorage, AK 99508
Mailing Address
UAA School of Social Work
3211 Providence Dr, PSB 234
Anchorage, AK 99508
