General Information and Accreditation

Policy Statement

This catalog is designed to provide current and accurate information for guidance of prospective students, for faculty and administrative officers, for students currently enrolled, and for other education or allied agencies. It is published for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student and the University of Alaska Southeast.

The offering of course work and/or certificate and degree programs by the University of Alaska Southeast is governed by the availability of resources. Every effort is made to provide information that is accurate at the time the catalog is prepared. Information concerning regulations, programs, faculty, and other matters is, however, subject to change at any time during the period for which the catalog is in effect. The university reserves the right to initiate changes in any of its regulations or programs, and such changes shall become effective in relation to time periods required by applicable statutes, university regulations, or program requirements. Applicants are therefore advised to contact individual departments regarding possible changes.

Online Catalog Updates

The academic catalog will no longer be printed as it will be exclusively available online. Updates may be made as deemed necessary.

Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free Campuses

The university is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees, and visitors, by prohibiting tobacco use and smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes and similar products, within its campuses and facilities.

Institutional Accreditation

The University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution. Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100 Redmond, WA 98052, (425) 558‐4224. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities refers to the institution as a whole. Therefore, statements like “fully accredited” or “this program is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities” or “this degree is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities” are incorrect and should not be used.

Specialized Accreditation

Teacher Education

The School of Education (SOE) at the University of Alaska Southeast is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  CAEP accreditation signifies that the SOE has met the rigorous standards set forth for educator preparation.  This accreditation is required by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.  To be eligible for an Alaska teaching license, a teacher candidate must complete a teacher preparation program from a CAEP accredited unit.

Business Programs

Baccalaureate, Associate, and Certificate Business Programs at the University of Alaska Southeast are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).  ACBSP accreditation certifies that UAS exemplifies leadership, strategic planning, relationships with stakeholders, quality of academic programs, faculty credentials, and educational support, ensuring that the business programs offer a rigorous educational experience and demonstrate continuous quality improvement.

Health Information Management

The Health Information Management (Associate degree) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Medical Assisting Certificate

The University of Alaska Southeast is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Individuals may also contact: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350.