Alaska Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs
If you are considering getting an MSW in Alaska, this article will provide you with a guide.
We have written down all the essential details about acquiring an MSW and what it takes to become a certified MSW in Alaska.
MSW Programs Alaska
Alaska is one of the U.S. states known to have a large percentage of social vices.
Most of the state’s residents are into deviant behavior such as alcoholism, suicide, violence, illicit sex, drug abuse, and other criminal tendencies.
Thus, there is a demand for experienced social workers.
Considering this factor, anyone with a master’s or Ph.D. in social work in Alaska will earn a job in no distant time. Their services are desperately needed to help control the situation.
How Many Educational Institutions Offer MSW In Alaska?
Only one institution offers MSW programs throughout Alaska: the University of Alaska Anchorage. The school is the largest in the province.
They offer MSW studies to prepare scholars to address the social, behavioral, and health challenges that residents of Alaska face.
However, concerning the authenticity of their MSW studies, they are fully approved by the CSWE.
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MSW School in Alaska
Unfortunately, Alaska lacks many academic establishments that offer MSW studies. Only one institution is renowned for providing such studies, the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Their social work master’s studies are fully certified by relevant authorities, including CSWE. Following graduation, you can earn a state permit to function anywhere within and outside the state.
As you hang on, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about MSW classes at this university.
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University of Alaska Anchorage
As mentioned above, this institution delivers the best progressed social work studies in the state and nationwide. Students have two study options to earn their Master’s education.
Option one is the regular programs for scholars with undergrad certificates from other fields. The course content for such studies entails foundational and concentration coursework.
If you decide to take these classes full-time, you can graduate within two years. But those completing their education part-time may spend up to three or four years.
Meanwhile, option two is the accelerated program for students with BSWs from certified institutions. Such a class of scholars already acquire competence in social work.
As such, the course contents only feature specialization courses. The aim is to speed up the education of such learners. If you take this route full-time, you can finish within 12 months.
But when taken part-time, you may spend two to three years.
In addition to coursework, you’ll also be required to engage in field research before graduating. You’ll complete at least 960 hours of fieldwork for those in regular classes.
You’ll cover 480 practicum hours in the first and second years. However, those in expedited studies will only finish 480 hours of supervised field research.
You’re expected to engage your practicum in facilities related to your specialty fields. Not only that, but they must be situated within the state.
Admission Information & Decisions for MSW Studies in Alaska
As you plan to study in Alaska, you must know much about their admission process.
This will help you increase your chances of securing admission. Now, applications for MSW studies are accepted and reviewed once a year.
Interested students should note that paper applications will not be accepted. Secondly, incomplete applications will not be reviewed until all application materials have been submitted.
As for admission decisions, the committee is composed of various entities. These include the school’s faculty, alums, and professional social work committee members.
The committee will review all completed applications to the MSW studies. Remember, only complete applications will be reviewed. Usually, the committee determines admissions based on their entry standards.
At the University of Alaska, there’re different types of admission decisions. They include admitted, admitted with provisions, waitlisted for admission, and denied entry.
Candidates who fall under waitlisted for admission may still gain entrance if there’s a given space. However, those denied entrance must reapply or check for other schools in subsequent years.
It’s an excellent idea if you want to earn your Master of social work in Alaska. However, only one university is renowned for offering such programs. This means there will be strict admission selection.
You’ll need to meet all their admission standards to stand a better chance of entering their programs. In addition to that, you can acquire additional competence to boost your resume.
MSW Study Structure in Alaska
The syllabus for MSW in Alaska is divided into two sections: the foundation syllabus and the general syllabus.
The Foundation’s studies concentrate on social work policies and services, families, and groups, human diversity in social work, institutions and communities, and much more.
The technical studies include courses such as social policy for advanced generalist practice, DSM research seminar, program evaluation, new generalist I, II, and III, individuals, and more.
However, both categories of programs seek to explore Alaska’s unique cultural, social, and economic issues.
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Alaska MSW Intake Route
The University of Alaska offers only two pathways for scholars who want to attend MSW. These are foundation studies and advanced-standing graduate studies, which vary considerably.
The foundation curriculum is designed to educate scholars on the practice of contemporary social work, ethics, communication, and so on.
Those interested in this study route can enroll full-time or part-time.
On the other hand, Advanced Standing is intended for researchers who have already obtained their BSW at an accredited institution to finish their MSW within a short period.
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Duration of Programs
In Alaska, the length of the MSW study depends on the type of pathway selected by the researcher.
The foundation curriculum, which consists of full-time and part-time studies, takes longer than the advanced curriculum. Let’s get this straight.
The program will demand academics on full-time MSW in Alaska to finish 62 credit courses within two years, while those on part-time will likewise be required to complete 62 credit courses in 4 years.
Remember, we mentioned earlier that fellows enrolling in advanced MSW studies in Alaska would be completing their program quickly. To make this possible, the school provides fewer courses to accelerate the programs.
It is believed that scholars who enroll at an advanced level have acquired some basic knowledge of the profession. Consequently, instead of 62 credited courses, they attend 35.
Within 12 to 24 months, a researcher may get their MSW.
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MSW Tuition and Other Financial Details
The cost of obtaining an MSW in Alaska depends on the type of entry method, and study format an academic opts for. Typically, foundation and advanced continuing studies on campus are more expensive than online programs.
Getting an MSW in Alaska without grants or financial assistance will cost $27,000 and $37,000 yearly.
Meanwhile, researchers should know there are additional expenses when taking a GRE. It’s going to cost about $205. Only then will you be guaranteed entry into any MSW studies in Alaska?
After completing an MSW, you must take a skilled examination to qualify for a permit. This exam costs about $230 to $260.
Then, before obtaining a license to operate as a licensed and professional social worker in Alaska, you will pay a fee of $360.
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Financial Aid for MSW Scholars in Alaska
One of the benefits of studying MSW in Alaska is that researchers can access a variety of financial aid to support their education. Such financial assistance may be loans, grants, and grants from government or private institutions.
Some include the Thorsness family grant, COH administration grant, Dove Kull memorial grant, Ella Craig and NASW social work grant, Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW grant, and more.
Job Prospects for an MSW in Alaska
As we discussed earlier, Alaska is a home for social vices. As a result, a wide variety of service delivery systems with which a licensed MSW graduate can work.
They include gerontology, criminal justice, medical social work, child welfare, youth justice, military and veterans, children’s and adult behavioral health, tribal social services, etc.
Why You Won’t Regret Obtaining an MSW Degree In Alaska
You won’t regret your choice to study MSW in Alaska for a few reasons.
The academic institution that offers this advanced social program will help you gain the core competencies relevant to your professionalism worldwide.
Some of these core competencies include the following:
- Practical experience working in a community setting
- Expert in many areas of practice, such as family functioning, food insecurity, rural Alaskan services, homelessness, social education, and other community expansions
- civic engagement and learning to serve
What It Takes To Become an Authorized MSW in Alaska
It would be best to meet the following conditions before getting a permit to operate as an MSW in Alaska.
- Obtain an MSW from a CSWE-approved university
- Sit for the LMSW exam
- Pay for your permit
- Submit your LMSW intake form
- Present three proficient references and an MSW transcript to the BSWE
- Once you have certified these critical elements, you will obtain approval from BSWE.
That’s all we have for you regarding MSW programs in Alaska. You can view the studies open for candidates who want to enroll for MSW in Alaska and how you can become a fully certified MSW.
However, it is unfortunate that the state has only one university with a master’s degree in social work.