Alaska MSW Degree Programs

Last updated March 2, 2023 by

Online MSW Staff

Students have the ability to pursue a hybrid graduate-level social work program at the University of Alaska at Anchorage, which provides on-campus and online coursework for flexibility. Salaries for social workers across the state are around the national average.

School	Program	Admissions
Fordham University	Master of Social Work Online Traditional and advanced standing online MSW options are available. Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy.	Website
University of Kentucky	Online Master of Social Work CSWE Accredited, 100% online. Regular and Advanced Standing MSW tracks. 7 different certificates available (Clinical, Child Welfare, School, Substance Abuse, Trauma, more).	Website
George Mason University	Master of Social Work (MSW) Online CSWE accredited. Tracks include: Adults & Healthy Aging or Children, Youth, & Families.	Website
Campbellsville University	Online Master of Social Work - Clinical Track Clinical track. No GRE or GMAT required. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks available. Program can be completed in less than a year.	Website
Virginia Commonwealth University	Online Master's in Social Work Part-time and full-time online options, with three intakes throughout the year, let you learn from anywhere in the country.	Website

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Click to view online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2025.

Alaska CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

The University of Alaska at Anchorage is the exclusive institution that has an accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for the Master's degree in social work. While not fully online, the experience will feature online coursework with on-campus residencies. For those seeking an undergraduate program, students can consider the Anchorage location or the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

Are there online MSW programs in Alaska?

Yes, there are colleges in Alaska with an online Master of Social Work degree program. Consider a featured online MSW program that is taking applicants right now, or move on to the list.

Click to see more accredited online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

List of online MSW programs in Alaska that are CSWE accredited

Finding a Campus Based Alaska MSW Program

Anchorage is home to the university that offers CSWE-accredited programs and social work and provides the most opportunity for social work careers. Continuing education and advocacy resources, such as having access to state government legislature and writing to newspaper editors, can be done through the Alaska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, which is based in Anchorage.

University of Alaska at Anchorage's Hybrid MSW

The School of Social Work offers an accredited undergraduate and graduate program in the social work discipline. Students pursue the Master's degree with a blend of on-campus orientation and intensive courses with weekly online meetings. This can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, which takes two to four years to complete, or they can pursue the advanced placement program.

Program Structure

This curriculum in social work is separated into various sequences, with focuses on policy, research, human behavior, and direct practice. Examples of courses include Social Policy for Advanced Generalist Practice, Foundation Research Methods, and Human Diversity in Social Work Practice. Courses will be delivered online through the Blackboard learning management system.

960 total hours of field work is needed for the full program, which equates to 16 hours per week. Placement opportunities within the university location includes the UAA's Center for Community Engagement and Learning, Alaska Native Health Board, and MatSu Health Services Wasilla. All field work must be organic in the program as UAA will not credit prior work experience.

Advanced Placement Format

In order to qualify for advanced placement, students need to show completion of a CSWE-accredited Bachelor's degree in social work and a 3.0 cumulative GPA (or 3.5 GPA in core social work courses). There are two prerequisites in human biology and statistics that must be completed with a C grade or higher.

Review of campus-based Alaska MSW programs

Careers, Licensures, and Salaries in Alaska

There is high concentration for social work specialists in child, family, and school services according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 1,160 workers are represented in this field, and this equates to 3.6 workers per 1,000 employed. The annual mean wage across the state is approximately $52,710, which is around the same as the national average.

Alaska Social Work Licensure Requirements

Graduates from a CSWE-accredited Master’s degree has an option to become certified as a Licensed Master Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Submit proof of earning this degree and three letters of reference to receive a temporary license for up to one year. Applicants must also complete the Master-level exam through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Hours of Experience Requirements

To gain the LCSW certification, an additional 3,000 hours of clinical social work is needed. This work must be supervised by licensed social workers or psychiatrists by the state. A different clinical exam through the ASWB is needed and applicants will need to pass this prior to receiving licensure.

Renewal Requirements

Renewal for state licensure in Alaska is needed every two years, and there are varying fees needed based on the licensure held. At least 45 hours of continuing education is needed with fees, and three credit hours must be designated to ethical topics and six credit hours on substance abuse. With the first renewal, cultural topics on Alaska Natives is required.