University of Alaska Southeast Nursing Program: A Guide for Prospective Students (2026)
The University of Alaska Southeast does not award its own stand-alone nursing degree, but it supports students in the University of Alaska Anchorage A.A.S. in Nursing program at its Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka campuses and offers pre-nursing coursework that can lead to RN and later BSN study through UAA. This guide explains how the partnership works and what it means for your nursing path in Southeast Alaska.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
At the University of Alaska Southeast, nursing is delivered through a formal partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage: you complete an A.A.S. in Nursing from UAA while studying and doing clinicals at UAS campuses in Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka, then have a clear path into UAA’s RN-to-BSN program once you are licensed as an RN.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Alaska Southeast
The University of Alaska Southeast supports nursing education by partnering with the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing. According to the UAS catalog, the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing is offered at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka through this cooperative arrangement, allowing students in Southeast Alaska to pursue RN preparation without relocating to Anchorage.
UAS also offers pre-nursing coursework that aligns with UAA’s requirements and connects graduates to UAA’s RN-to-BSN program once they are licensed RNs. If you are evaluating Juneau/Ketchikan/Sitka nursing options and want to understand how an A.A.S. partnership differs from a stand-alone college of nursing, this page breaks down the essentials without guessing at any missing data.
Nursing Programs Offered
The UAS catalog currently lists one nursing-specific degree path delivered through UAA, plus supporting pre-nursing study. Only what appears in UAS and UAA sources is summarized here.
Nursing through UAA, A.A.S.
Per the UAS catalog, UAS ‘supports students in their pursuit of the UAA A.A.S. Nursing program offered in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka through a cooperative arrangement between UAS & UAA.’ The degree requirements are defined in the UAA catalog; UAS provides local delivery and advising at its campuses.
Pre-nursing & RN-to-BSN pathway
In addition to supporting the A.A.S., UAS offers prerequisite and co-requisite courses that feed into UAA’s nursing programs. After completing the A.A.S. and earning RN licensure, students can pursue the UAA RN-to-BSN program, which—per UAA sources—grants up to 42 credits of nursing coursework to RNs with approved associate degrees and is primarily online with limited in-person clinicals.
The full A.A.S. degree requirements are maintained in the UAA catalog. UAS directs students there for the official curriculum and encourages them to work with local UAS advisors for planning and support.
UAS supports the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing through a cooperative arrangement in Southeast Alaska—not a standalone UAS-conferred BSN or graduate degree. This guide covers the cooperative A.A.S. pathway and pre-nursing/RN-to-BSN steps confirmed on official nursing program page and the UAA catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Unlike Alabama and some other states, the Alaska Board of Nursing does not publish a simple public school-by-school NCLEX pass-rate table on its main site. For this guide, primary school-level figures come from each institution’s official outcomes page (UAA Student Achievement Data or APU’s program dashboard). Use the Board’s NCLEX information page for Alaska licensure steps. For benchmarks, Alaska’s Board has cited an 80% NCLEX pass-rate expectation based on year-end NCSBN figures in its licensing advisory opinions (PDF). National context: NCSBN NCLEX Pass Rates and 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics.
Graduates of the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing (including students who complete the degree at UAS sites in Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka) are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. The UAA School of Nursing publishes program-level (all-delivery) first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the A.A.S. on its Student Achievement Data page: for example, 2024: 93.75% (75 of 80 first-time test takers); 2023: 89.71% (61/68); 2022: 84.62% (77/91). These figures combine all UAA A.A.S. sites rather than Southeast-only cohorts.
Ask UAA whether site-specific outcomes are available for your campus and confirm the latest year with the Alaska Board of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| AAS NCLEX-RN (UAA, all sites, 2024) | 93.75% (75/80), per UAA Student Achievement Data |
| Southeast-site breakout | Not published separately on UAA’s achievement page; ask UAA/UAS |
| Alaska Board NCLEX benchmark | 80% pass-rate expectation based on year-end NCSBN figures (Board advisory opinions PDF) |
| Source | UAA Student Achievement Data (primary); Alaska Board of Nursing; Board licensing advisory opinions; NCSBN pass rates |
Published tables are program-wide. Before you decide, request any Southeast-campus breakdown UAA can share and compare with Board of Nursing materials.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Because the nursing degree is awarded by UAA, admission to the A.A.S. in Nursing at UAS campuses follows the UAA School of Nursing’s criteria. Public sources emphasize that admission is competitive, using ranked factors such as prerequisite completion, GPA, and a pre-admission exam.
What you need (high-level)
- Complete UAA-specified prerequisite and co-requisite courses with grades of C or better (delivered at UAS or elsewhere in the UA system).
- Apply to the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing and designate your UAS campus (Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka) as your desired site.
- Take and achieve a competitive score on the pre-admission nursing exam used by UAA (e.g., TEAS, per UAA’s nursing admissions pages).
- Meet any additional UAA School of Nursing requirements that apply to your cohort year.
Exact GPA thresholds, TEAS cutoffs, and acceptance rates by UAS site are not publicly disclosed in official sources reviewed for this guide. Always confirm current criteria directly with UAA’s School of Nursing and your UAS advisor.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition and fees for UAS and UAA are published in their respective catalogs and financial-aid pages. Because those tables are not reproduced on this page, specific A.A.S. nursing tuition amounts for UAS sites are not publicly disclosed in this guide.
As a student in a cooperative program, you may be responsible for UAS campus charges and UAA program costs. It’s important to review both institutions’ current tuition and fees, then talk with financial-aid staff about how aid applies across the partnership.
Account for textbooks, scrubs, equipment, background checks, immunizations, transportation to clinical sites, and potential reduction in work hours during clinical semesters. This guide does not estimate those expenses; use UAS and UAA cost-of-attendance tools for a complete picture.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
For employment, salary, and licensure outcomes tied to University of Alaska Southeast, use the program’s official disclosures, the Alaska Board of Nursing, and direct questions to admissions and career services. Results vary by cohort and how “placement” or “employment” is defined.
| Metric | How to verify |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN / NCLEX-PN | Use UAA Student Achievement Data for program-wide A.A.S. NCLEX-RN outcomes, and ask UAA/UAS whether Southeast-site cohort data are available. |
| Job placement / employment | If University of Alaska Southeast publishes rates, note the source year and methodology; otherwise ask the school for the latest consumer or accreditation disclosures. |
| Source | Alaska Board of Nursing · University of Alaska Southeast nursing or institutional research pages. |
Is University of Alaska Southeast the Right Fit for You?
This cooperative pathway is a good option if you want to remain in Southeast Alaska while completing an associate-level RN program tied directly to UAA’s curriculum. It may be less appealing if you prefer a single-campus BSN from start to finish or a program with fully online pre-licensure coursework.
Good fit for
- Students living in Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka who want to train and do clinicals close to home.
- Applicants comfortable with an associate-level start (A.A.S.) followed by an RN-to-BSN later, rather than a four-year BSN from day one.
- Students who value a regional campus environment and smaller-scale class settings.
May not be ideal for
- Students set on a traditional four-year BSN at a single, larger university campus.
- Applicants looking for a fully online pre-licensure nursing program (the A.A.S. requires in-person labs and clinicals).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
While the UAS catalog does not list specific clinical sites, the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing across Southeast Alaska uses clinical placements in local hospitals and community agencies near Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. This allows students to gain experience in the same kinds of settings—acute care, long-term care, and community health—where they are likely to seek work after licensure.
Completing clinicals in Southeast Alaska helps you build familiarity with local health-care organizations and patient populations, which can be an advantage if you plan to stay in the region. When you speak with advisors, ask which facilities host A.A.S. students in your preferred community and how often those facilities hire graduates.
Student Experience & Campus Life
As a UAS student in the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing, you are part of a smaller, regional public university with access to local advising and academic support. Your day-to-day experience is shaped by nursing coursework and clinical preparation, supplemented by the broader academic and student-life offerings at UAS.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Juneau, AK (with additional UAS campuses in Ketchikan and Sitka)
- Address
- University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau Campus (see UAS site for specific addresses)
- Telephone
- Not publicly disclosed in the nursing catalog entry; use the UAS main contact and UAA School of Nursing contacts below
- Contact email
- Not publicly disclosed for UAS nursing; see UAA School of Nursing contact below
- Website
- catalog.uas.alaska.edu/…/nursing-through-uaa-aas
Official links
Your ‘Next 7 Days’ checklist
- Read the UAS Nursing through UAA, A.A.S. catalog page carefully to understand how the partnership works at your preferred campus (Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka).
- Review the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing catalog entry to see the full list of prerequisites, co-requisites, and nursing courses required for graduation.
- Meet with a UAS advisor to map your current or planned coursework against UAA’s A.A.S. requirements and identify any gaps.
- Confirm with UAA’s School of Nursing which pre-admission exam (such as TEAS) is required, what scores are competitive, and how often you can take it.
- Ask about typical clinical sites for students at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka and how clinical placements are scheduled around work or family responsibilities.
- Explore UAA’s RN-to-BSN program to see how your future A.A.S. and RN license would articulate into a BSN, including online coursework and any required in-person experiences.
- Check both UAS and UAA tuition and financial-aid information to plan how you will finance your A.A.S. and any later BSN study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Alaska Southeast grant a nursing degree?
UAS itself does not grant an independent nursing degree. Instead, it supports the University of Alaska Anchorage A.A.S. in Nursing program through a cooperative arrangement across its campuses. The A.A.S. degree is awarded by UAA.
Where can I take nursing classes through UAS?
The UAS catalog lists the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing as being offered at the Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka campuses. Availability by site may vary by year, so confirm current options with UAS and UAA.
Can I complete all of my nursing coursework in Southeast Alaska?
The cooperative arrangement is designed so that students can complete the A.A.S. nursing curriculum locally at UAS campuses with UAA oversight. Some elements, such as the RN-to-BSN, will involve UAA’s primarily online format with limited in-person requirements.
How competitive is admission to the UAA A.A.S. in Nursing at UAS campuses?
Admission is competitive and based on UAA’s nursing criteria, including prerequisite completion, GPA, and a pre-admission exam. UAS does not publish an acceptance rate for its sites in official sources reviewed for this guide.
What happens after I finish the A.A.S. in Nursing?
After you complete the A.A.S. and obtain RN licensure, you can apply to UAA’s RN-to-BSN program to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The RN-to-BSN is primarily online and designed for working RNs.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for students in this partnership?
UAA publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the A.A.S. in Nursing (all sites combined) on its Student Achievement Data page—for example, 2024: 93.75% (75/80). UAS does not award the degree; ask UAA/UAS for Southeast-site detail. Alaska does not publish a simple school-by-school Board table—confirm with the Alaska Board of Nursing.
Can I transfer my UAS pre-nursing coursework to another nursing program?
Many UAS courses transfer within the University of Alaska system and may be accepted by other institutions, but transferability and how credits apply to nursing requirements vary. Always check with any future nursing program before assuming equivalence.
References
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University of Alaska Southeast · Nursing through UAA, A.A.S. (2025–2026 catalog) catalog.uas.alaska.edu/…/nursing-through-uaa-aas
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University of Alaska Anchorage · A.A.S. in Nursing (degree requirements) catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/undergraduateprograms/coh/aas-nursing
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UAA School of Nursing · RN-to-BS in Nursing Science uaa.alaska.edu/…/rn-bs
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General information on nursing partnerships and pre-nursing pathways across the University of Alaska system catalog.uas.alaska.edu/other-academic-opportunities
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Figures marked “Not publicly disclosed” were not found in official school or board sources at the time of review. Confirm current data with the institution and the Alaska Board of Nursing.
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Miguel Romero, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides focused on licensure outcomes, admissions clarity, and career readiness for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with publicly available institutional and government data.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general reference and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice and does not guarantee admission, eligibility, or any particular outcome. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and relevant boards before making decisions.
Published: Mar 13, 2026 · Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026