About Us

Our Mission

Empowering Communities Through Our Students

 
 

Welcome to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development. Our highly qualified team knows the needs of Alaska’s rural and Native communities and are ready to assist you in meeting your personal, professional and educational goals. 

Our students learn from highly qualified faculty, Alaska Native leaders, Elders, guest presenters, and perhaps most importantly, from each other. We are very proud of the positive impact our students and graduates have on their communities. Our alumni are in many management and leadership positions serving their village governments, corporations, organizations and government agencies.

If you are interested in further developing your leadership and management skills for improving the quality of life in your Indigenous or rural community, please reach out. Our faculty and staff are eager to answer your questions and assist you to pursue your academic and professional goals.

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Degrees Offered

BA in Rural Development

Concentrations:

  • Human and Social Development
  • Tribal and Municipal Governance
  • Integrated Resource Management
  • Entrepreneurship and Economic Development 
  • Multidisciplinary 

BA in Alaska Native Studies

Concentrations:

  • Indigenous Peoples in Law, Governance, and Politics
  • Alaska Native Knowledge, Cultural Resources, and Expression
  • Alaska Native Peoples: Health, Wellness, and the Environment

Masters of Arts (MA) in Rural Development

The MA in Rural Development is designed to educate a new generation of leaders for rural Alaska, the circumpolar north, and beyond. We emphasize Indigenous leadership development, organization management, community development, program and project planning, and an awareness of international Indigenous issues in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment


Student Resources

The Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development supports our students from the time you apply until we celebrate you at graduation (and beyond). Contact our advisors, access our student guidebooks, or keep up with important admissions deadlines using the student resources available on this page.

If you have any questions, please reach out. We are here to serve our students.