Secondary Education Department

The UAF School of Education prepares educators to serve Alaska communities. Our secondary education programs equip future teachers with the skills, cultural awareness and certification needed to inspire students in grades 6-12 in urban and rural communities.

 

Programs overview

UAF’s secondary education offerings, from B.A. through M.Ed. and including minors and licensure certificates, deliver practical training, cultural context, accreditation and flexible access for aspiring teachers. Join us in shaping the future of Alaska education.

Explore our undergraduate and postbaccalaureate offerings:

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B.A. in secondary education
Prepares students to teach grades 6-12 with a strong foundation in both content area and teaching practice. Includes a yearlong, mentored internship in Alaska classrooms.
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Minor in secondary education
Add teaching-focused coursework and school-based experience to your undergraduate studies — without pursuing full licensure.
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Undergraduate secondary 6-12 postbaccalaureate certification
Designed for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in a teachable subject. Leads to initial teacher certification for grades 6-12 through intensive coursework and classroom experience.
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Graduate secondary 6-12 postbaccalaureate certification
Earn teaching certification without a full graduate degree. Credits can later apply toward an M.Ed. Ideal for career changers, professionals upgrading credentials, or recent graduates not yet ready for a master’s program.
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M.Ed. in secondary education
Combines teacher licensure with advanced training in curriculum, research and instructional leadership. Ideal for those seeking both certification and a master’s degree.

Why choose UAF’s secondary education programs?

Hands-on training from day one

Integrated internship practice and classwork recommended by school partners

Alaska-focused education

Curriculum integrates training for urban, rural and remote Indigenous communities

High job placement

Graduates are hired across Alaska, even before graduation

Expert faculty support

Instructors are current or former teachers with knowledge of Alaska’s schools

Flexibility

Programs can be tailored to student needs and experiences: traditional, working professionals, commuters, distance learners

 

I appreciate how student‑focused staff and faculty are … I always feel that the school is on my side … My needs and concerns are always addressed.
—Melissa Wentzel, secondary education major

 

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Delivery format

Complete your degree from anywhere in Alaska. Programs are available on UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks, at our satellite location in Anchorage and through hybrid or online formats across the state, including rural campuses (Kuskokwim, Bristol Bay, Chukchi and Northwest). Special education and counseling programs are available nationwide.

Career pathways and outcomes

*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.

Frequently asked questions
6-12 classroom teacher

Certified to teach grades 6-12 in public and private schools in Alaska and beyond.

Teaching across Alaska and beyond

Graduates teach in both rural and urban areas of Alaska, as well as in other parts of the U.S.* and in international schools.

Prepared to lead in today's classrooms

Alumni skills include classroom management, literacy integration, assessment, culturally responsive teaching and tech-empowered instruction.

Accreditation

All secondary education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approved by the Alaska State Board of Education. UAF is authorized to recommend teacher licensure in Alaska; candidates must pass the Basic Competency Exam and Praxis II.

UAF CAEP accreditation

CAEP Accredited Shield