Social Work
Bachelor's Degree Program
Earn your degree in social work at UAF and prepare for rewarding careers empowering
others.
Our mission, rooted in core social work values, is to educate generalist social work practitioners to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, emphasizing the diversity and uniqueness of rural Alaska, as it interconnects with our global society. We are committed to creating a community of critical thinkers dedicated to becoming competent, culturally grounded, and environmentally conscious professionals engaged in lifelong learning and research that honors diverse ways of knowing. The program includes an intensive 400-hour senior practicum that gives you the opportunity to engage in direct social work practice experiences under the supervision of a social worker in a social service agency.
Although our home base is on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska, the social work degree is available via distance delivery and online classes, enabling students from across Alaska and the United States to complete their bachelor’s from their home communities. Additionally, our program is provided through a cohort model specifically designed for, and available to, students who are working in or have experience with the social service field, so they can take courses and work at the same time.
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What Is Social Work?
Social workers help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges, dealing with issues such as poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, disability, divorce and unemployment. They work with individuals, groups and communities, helping to prevent crises and counseling clients to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior, of social, economic and cultural institutions, and of the interaction of all these factors.
What degree do you need to be a social worker?
Social workers are highly trained and experienced professionals. Only those who have earned social work degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral levels, and completed a minimum number of hours in supervised fieldwork, are “professional social workers.”
Why Study Social Work at UAF?
As a social work major at UAF, you’ll find numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth, as you face the challenges and experience the rewards of professional social work.
Complete your Social Work Degree online
QM certifications are valid for five years.
Social Work at UAF
What Can You Do With a Social Work Degree?
Majors in social work can look forward to joining a fast growing job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 16% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Alaska has the highest concentration of jobs for child, family and school social workers of any state in the nation. It is also one of the top states for jobs for mental health and substance abuse social workers.
Each state has its own unique requirements for authorization. If you are planning to seek a professional license or certificate in a state other than Alaska, please see the state listings website.
Social Work Degree Requirements
The bachelor’s in social work curriculum includes a liberal arts base, with foundation requirements in the behavioral sciences, and sequences in social policy and services, practice methods and in field education. A major emphasis is preparing students for beginning social work practice with rural and Alaska Native populations. All majors in social work are also required to complete a 400-hour senior practicum experience.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs Related to Social Work
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