Living in a state with large rural areas can make earning a master’s a tough task. This is where online master’s programs come into play. If you’re considering distance learning, you might wonder if an online degree holds the same value or will fit your busy routine. This OMD guide answers those questions and highlights flexible, accredited Alaska programs available from the comfort of your home. An inside look at actual online programs, exploring their structure, curriculum, costs, admission criteria, and more… The most promising fields in the state, based on job outlook, earning potential, affordability, and local opportunities… What accreditation is, why it matters, and the accrediting bodies relevant for students in this state… The variety of online master’s programs offered in the state, from full-time and part-time to accelerated formats… A clear overview of how much my degree might cost and the factors influencing total expenses… Insightful and guiding answers to common questions prospective students like myself have about earning this degree…
Spotlight: Online Master’s Programs in Alaska
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
University of Alaska Anchorage is Alaska’s largest university, offering numerous online and hybrid master’s programs across fields like business, health, education, and engineering. Courses in UAA’s programs may be synchronous (having a set time) or asynchronous (no set time) to accommodate different schedules.
UAA students can often attend optional in-person sessions at UAA or partner campuses, but fully online paths are available. These online programs uphold the same high academic standards and accreditations as their campus counterparts. Graduates are prepared to enter impactful careers in Alaska and beyond.
Featured Program: Master of Public Health (MPH)
Duration: 42 credits (about two years of full-time study)
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $513 per credit (in-state)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (any field)
- College transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
- Personal statement outlining interest in public health
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a top-tier research university that offers eight online master’s degrees in areas from business administration to Arctic studies. Courses in UAF’s programs are typically asynchronous, with no set meeting times. They include weekly assignments and interactive tools, though some classes use live video chats or seminars for collaboration.
Online students at UAF benefit from the same personal faculty support as on campus. Many programs leverage UAF’s unique expertise in northern issues. As an online UAF graduate, you can enter a career in Alaska’s high-demand sectors, such as emergency management and education, or anywhere in the world.
Featured Program: Master of Security and Disaster Management (MSDM)
Duration: 30 credits (about two years of full-time study)
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $555 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75
- Official college transcripts
- Statement of purpose (500 to 700 words) describing your interest in security/disaster management.
- Three letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
As a smaller public university serving Juneau and the Southeast, the University of Alaska Southeast specializes in online programs in business, public administration, and education. These allow students to remain in their communities while advancing their credentials. Classes are kept small, and extensive support (tutoring and advising) is available for online students
Courses use a mix of formats; some have live web meetings at set times, while others let you work independently to meet deadlines. This flexible schedule is ideal for working professionals. UAS’s online degrees often focus on Alaska-centric topics like rural development or marine policy, alongside traditional curricula, producing graduates ready to lead in local industries or government.
Featured Program: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Duration: 36 credits (about two years of full-time study)
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $513 per credit (in-state)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (in any field) with transcripts.
- Mandatory advising meeting with the MPA program director to discuss potential fit and study goals
- Professional resume or Curriculum Vitae highlighting any public or nonprofit experience
- Statement of purpose (two pages and around 1,000 words) explaining your background, public service goals, and how the MPA will help achieve them
- Three recommendation forms/letters addressing your leadership potential
Exploring Alaska’s Top Fields of Study
Now that you’ve seen some accredited online master’s programs you can attend in Alaska, you may be wondering what to study. Below are five high-demand fields where advanced credentials offer strong returns, from job growth and salaries to meeting critical workforce needs.
Education (K-12 and Higher Education)
Alaska faces a chronic teacher shortage, especially in rural districts. With only about 7,400 teachers statewide in Alaska, over 1,100 positions are unfilled. This makes up roughly 15% of teaching jobs in the state. Earning a master’s in education can help you step into these in-demand roles.
Many Alaska school districts offer higher pay for teachers with a graduate degree, improving your rate of return (ROI). Leadership roles like principals or curriculum specialists often require a master’s as well. Alaska’s universities offer online Master of Education (MEd) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs to prepare educators to serve diverse communities and boost student outcomes across the state.
Healthcare and Nursing
Healthcare is one of Alaska’s largest and fastest-growing industries. The state’s healthcare sector is projected to add 1,000 new jobs in 2025 alone (a 2.9% increase). These jobs will fill all parts of the state, from clinics in Anchorage to small rural hospitals.
An online master’s in a healthcare field can prepare you to take advantage of these opportunities. For example, nurse practitioners (NPs) are in high demand to provide care in remote areas. In Alaska, the average annual earning for NPs is around $126,000.
Likewise, a Master of Public Health (MPH) addresses unique public health challenges in Alaska, like serving indigenous and frontier communities. Graduate credentials are often required for advanced clinical roles, healthcare administration, and specialized practice (such as mental health counseling), making this field a top choice for growth, impact, and salary potential.
Business Administration and Management (MBA)
Employers across Alaska need skilled managers in a variety of positions, including energy companies in Anchorage and tourism operators in Juneau. Earning an MBA or similar master’s provides leadership training that is valued across Alaska’s diverse industries. The state is seeing renewed economic growth, with overall Alaska employment up 1.6% in 2025, including major infrastructure and construction projectsthat require project managers and business planners.
An MBA program in Alaska often incorporates local case studies, giving graduates practical insights. The return on investment for business grads is strong; alumni of UAA’s MBA program report a nearly 50% salary increase within five years of graduating. Whether you aim to advance in corporate, nonprofit, or government sectors, a master’s in business provides the versatile skills and network to succeed in Alaska’s management roles.
Public Administration and Policy
As about 80,000 Alaskans work in federal, state, or local government, the government is a major employer in Alaska. Many governmental leadership roles prefer or require a master’s. In fact, outside of Washington D.C., Alaska has one of the highest shares of federal jobs (6.6% of the workforce) of any state.
An MPA or public policy degree equips you with skills in budgeting, policy analysis, and management, which can help you excel in a variety of agencies and nonprofits. Graduates often move into roles such as program managers, policy analysts, city administrators, or tribal government directors. These positions are vital in Alaska for addressing issues like rural development, natural resource management, and public health initiatives. With a master’s, you’ll not only improve your promotion and salary potential in the public sector but also be prepared to tackle the unique governance challenges of the northern countryside.
Engineering and Project Management
Alaska’s economy is built on big engineering projects. Infrastructure such as oil pipelines, mines, bridges, and ports all contribute to the state’s development. As such, demand is high for engineers and project managers who can lead these complex initiatives. The oil and gas industry alone is expected to add 600 jobs in 2025 (a 7.4% increase), and federally funded infrastructure projects are booming.
Earning a master’s in an engineering field (such as arctic engineering or petroleum engineering) or a project management graduate degree can significantly boost your expertise and employability. These roles come with excellent salaries. For instance, petroleum engineers in Alaska earn about $130,000 per year on average. A graduate degree can also help you fulfill professional licensing requirements or specialize in emerging areas like renewable energy or remote sensing.
Alaska Online Master’s Programs: Accreditation Details
Accreditation is a stamp of quality that demonstrates that a school or program meets established academic standards. In Alaska, the regional accreditor is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which evaluates institutions like UAA, UAF, and UAS.
Since all University of Alaska campuses are NWCCU-accredited, their online degrees are recognized nationwide for credit transfer and graduate school admissions. Many programs also hold specialized accreditations. UAA’s Project Management master’s degree, for example, is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center, and UAA’s MPH is one of the first online programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Choosing an accredited program is crucial since it guarantees you’re getting a reputable education that employers and licensing boards will respect. Alaska’s online master’s programs maintain the same accreditation and rigor as on-campus offerings, so you can earn your degree with confidence in its value.
What to Expect from an Online Master’s Program in Alaska
Online master’s programs come in various formats to fit students’ needs. As an online student, you can enroll full-time for an immersive experience or part-time to balance work and family. Some programs offer accelerated paths, letting you finish sooner, and many have even dropped the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) requirement to simplify admissions.
To help you prepare for your graduate education, we break down common program formats available in Alaska’s online master’s landscape, with available examples below:
Alaska’s Full-Time Online Programs
A full-time online master’s program typically means taking a heavier course load of about three courses or nine credits per term. This schedule lets you finish in a standard time of one to two years. The benefit is a quicker completion and intense focus on your studies, which is great if you want to advance or change careers quickly.
Full-time students should expect about 40 hours per week of coursework, which is a similar commitment to a full-time job. While the pace is demanding, you remain fully online, allowing flexibility in when you study each day.
Many Alaska programs support full-time online study. For example, the University of Alaska Fairbanks MBA can be completed in about 12 to 18 months of full-time study, and the MPA at UAS can be completed in about two years.
Part-Time Programs for Alaska’s Working Students
Part-time online master’s programs are ideal for working professionals. You might take one or two courses at a time, stretching completion to three to four years or more, depending on the program. The lighter load makes it easier to juggle a job or family commitments alongside school.
As a part-time online student, you’ll have the same classes and professors as your peers, just spread out. Part-time students still have access to financial aid and campus resources, and often form tight-knit cohorts since they move through the curriculum together more slowly.
Examples of part-time-friendly programs include the UAA Master of Education in Special Education, which lets you take evening online classes while teaching, and the UAF Master of Security and Disaster Management, where most students finish in two to three years while working.
No-GRE Programs in Alaska
Returning to your education can come with many barriers, but selecting a no-GRE program can help you overcome some of them. A “no-GRE” program means you can apply without the extra step of taking a standardized graduate exam. This is great for students who have been out of school for a while or who feel their academic record speaks for itself. The philosophy is that your undergraduate performance and professional experience are better indicators of success than a test score.
All three universities highlighted in this guide offer no-GRE options. For example, UAS’s online MPA has no entrance exam requirement, and UAF’s online MBA waives the GRE for applicants with a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
Alaska’s Fast-Paced Accelerated Programs
Accelerated online master’s programs let you finish your degree faster than usual, often by overlapping graduate coursework with undergraduate studies or by compressing the schedule. These programs are intensive — you’ll be taking more credits per term or shorter terms — but you can graduate in as little as one year.
In Alaska, options for true accelerated online master’s are a bit limited, given the smaller number of total programs. However, you can also “accelerate” your timeline by taking full course loads year-round, including during the summer.
The primary accelerated option in Alaska is the UAA Accelerated Master of Science in Project Management, which allows UAA undergraduate students to start taking graduate courses in their senior year and count them toward both a bachelor’s and master’s. This structure means you can earn a master’s with just one additional year of study after completing your bachelor’s.
How Much Does an Online Master’s Program in Alaska Cost?
Tuition for online master’s programs in Alaska is generally charged per credit hour, and rates are competitive compared to the national average. For instance, Alaska residents pay only $513 per credit at UAA as graduate students. Most master’s degrees require 30 to 45 credits, so total tuition typically ranges from roughly $15,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the program length.
Another positive feature of Alaska’s online programs is that fully online students usually pay in-state tuition rates even if they live out of state, as non-resident surcharges are often waived for online courses. Online learners also save on many campus fees and housing and transportation costs.
Keep in mind some programs (like the MBA or engineering program at UAA) have small surcharges, and you should budget for books or any required travel for internships. Financial aid and scholarships can significantly offset costs (see FAQs section for more on financing). The table below gives a sample cost breakdown for three online master’s programs in Alaska:
| School (Program) | No. of Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage — Master of Public Health | 42 | $513 | $21,546 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks — Master of Business Administration | 30 | $555 | $16,650 |
| University of Alaska Southeast — Master of Public Administration | 36 | $513 | $18,468 |
FAQs from Alaska’s Online Master’s Students
Q: Can I enroll in an Alaska online master’s program if I live out of state?
A: Yes, Alaska’s online master’s programs are open to residents of any state. In fact, out-of-state students often pay the same tuition rate as Alaskans for fully online programs. The University of Alaska waives non-resident surcharges for online courses, and through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) exchange, many Western state residents automatically get in-state tuition.
While you can complete coursework remotely from wherever you are, you should be mindful of time zone differences for any live class sessions (Alaska is one hour behind Pacific Time). Otherwise, the experience will be very similar to that of an in-state online student.
Q: Will I ever need to visit campus during an online master’s program?
A: As an online student, you usually don’t have to worry about making it to campus. Most online master’s programs in Alaska are designed to be completed 100% at a distance, with coursework, projects, and exams done from home.
Some programs might have optional opportunities to visit (orientation, networking, or commencement). A few specialized programs could require short in-person components; examples of this may include a practicum in a local school for an education degree or a lab session for a science course. However, those can often be arranged in your local area or conducted virtually.
Generally, you will not be required to travel to campus, but always check program details before applying. Alaska’s universities understand the importance of flexibility given the state’s geography and make sure online students can fully participate from afar.
Q: Are online classes in Alaska live or on my own schedule?
A: It depends on the course, but you’ll encounter both formats. Many online classes in Alaska, such as the online classes at UAF, are asynchronous, meaning you have no set meeting times. You’ll log in to a platform (like Canvas) to access lectures, readings, and assignments each week at times convenient for you. This is great if you need maximum flexibility for work-life balance during your degree.
Other classes may use synchronous sessions, such as a weekly evening Zoom seminar, to allow real-time discussions. The online coursework page at UAS, for instance, notes that some subjects lend themselves to live online classes while others do not. If you have the option to learn in person, you may want to weigh which learning style is best for you.
In practice, online programs often combine synchronous and asynchronous coursework. You might have occasional live webinars or group presentations, but much of the work is self-paced with deadlines. In all cases, instructors are just an email or video chat away. You’ll also engage with classmates via discussion boards, group projects, and possibly tools like blogs or video conferencing for presentations, all of which can help you build a network of peers and mentors.
Q: What support services can online master’s students in Alaska expect?
A: Online students at Alaska’s universities have access to comprehensive support, equivalent to on-campus services. This includes academic advising to help plan your courses, tech support for the online platforms, and tutoring or writing centers to assist with coursework. You can virtually meet with professors during office hours (via phone or video chat) to discuss class material or research projects.
Many university libraries offer extensive online resources and even mail delivery for books, which will help you develop the research skills necessary for graduate-level coursework. Career services are also available for resume reviews, job search help, or virtual career fairs. Additionally, many programs create cohort communities online, so you’ll build relationships with classmates despite the distance.
Q: How can I finance my online master’s program in Alaska?
A: You have several options to make graduate school affordable. First, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will determine your eligibility for federal aid like student loans or grants, so make sure you fill out your FAFSA correctly and on time. Online students enrolled half-time or more can qualify for federal loans just as campus students do.
Next, you can explore scholarships. Both university programs and external organizations have scholarships in high-need fields like education and nursing. If you’re working, check if your employer provides tuition assistance or reimbursement for related degrees. Importantly, Alaska online programs often have unique funding opportunities, such as with UAF’s College of Business, which offers paid teaching assistantships and a tuition waiver for nine credits.
Finally, because tuition rates are relatively low, some students pay out-of-pocket per course, using payment plans to spread costs. By combining these resources — aid, scholarships, employer help, and smart budgeting — you can finance your online master’s with minimal debt.