Rural Human Services
Certificate Program
Gain the skills to serve rural Alaska communities and make a positive impact in peoples’ lives. The certificate in rural human services at UAF provides education and training in areas such as substance abuse, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, interpersonal violence, grief and healing. Alaska Native culture is integrated throughout the curriculum, with Native Elders forming part of the instructional team. You will also have the opportunity to earn a number of certifications and credentials through your coursework.
Who is the certificate in rural human services designed for?
This training program is designed for village-based human service workers in Alaska. It’s a great fit for rural residents who are natural helpers and healers in their communities, as it will further develop skills and credentials in the helping profession. The education model used is specifically intended to fit the educational needs of the adult Alaska Native learner.
How is the rural human services program delivered?
The human services certificate program is delivered through monthly one-week intensives (face-to-face classes where you can interact with professors, Elders, and peers) over two academic years. Many of our students are employed and are supported to attend the monthly intensives.
Earn your associate degree in human services at UAF
The rural human services certificate meets 50% of the requirements for the associate degree in human services. This allows you to easily take the next step in your education if you choose to.
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Why Study Rural Human Services at UAF?
Hands-on learning in the rural human services program
In the human services program, we encourage you to apply your learning to your life and in your community. For example, a 125-hour practicum includes a project that you will design that relates directly to a community need. Projects have included suicide prevention activities, interviewing Elders on life before colonization, and using arts and crafts and talking circles to help women who have experienced trauma to share their stories.
Human Services Jobs
This training program prepares you for entry-level human services jobs in a variety of employment areas such as:
- Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
- Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) Program
- Head Start
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Community-based suicide prevention programs
- Substance abuse counseling
- Case management services
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.
Rural Human Services Program Technical Requirements
Students pursuing this degree are required to have access to the internet, and will use their UAF-issued email address for all academic communication. Additional software, such as the Concur travel platform, may be required.
- Once you've been admitted, you'll set their University of Alaska credentials (username and password). Visit the Nanook Technology Services\ website for additional information.
- Then, you'll use your credentials to login to your UA email account at google.alaska.edu. You'll use this email account for all academic communication.
- Some portions of this degree may require you to travel. If you're traveling by airplane or staying in a hotel or on-campus residence hall, you must submit an expense report after these expenses are incurred. You'll use your UA credentials to login to UAF's Concur travel platform and submit expense reports on your student profile. Expense reports must be submitted before you will be able to travel again.
Explore Classes in the Rural Human Services Certificate Program
Courses for the certificate in rural human services focus on developing counseling and case management skills to address key social issues such as interpersonal violence, mental illness and recovery, substance abuse, grief and family systems. Alaska Native values and culture are integrated throughout the curriculum.
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Get Started on Your Rural Human Services Certificate
Take the next step toward earning your certificate in human services at UAF. We have the resources to help you get started.