Medical education in Alaska is provided through the University of Alaska Anchorage and its School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS). The school offers a variety of medical education programs, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, and an RN-to-BSN program. The MD program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and offers students the opportunity to gain clinical experience in rural or underserved areas. Additionally, students can pursue specialty certifications such as family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry/mental health nursing, or nurse anesthesia.
The DNP program at UAA prepares graduates to be advanced practice nurses and provides them with the skills necessary to lead health care teams. Students can specialize in either adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner. The RN-to-BSN program allows registered nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing in as little as two years.
Alaska also offers several certificate programs for medical professionals looking to expand their knowledge base. These include certificates in public health nursing, gerontological nursing, mental health nursing, and pediatric primary care nursing.
