Professional Training

Many jobs require educational and/or licensure and/or national certification.  Many of these jobs can be attained by working while gaining the additional educational requirements (like Tina in the commercials!).  This is not an exhaustive list, if you see a career missing, please let Heidi know. 

Chemical Dependency Treatment Counselor

Counselors work to help chronic alcoholics and substance abusers to overcome addiction.  To do this, most organizations require counselors to have the chemical dependency certificate. 

For a generic introduction into the field, view this video: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-1011.00

For more information

http://www.akcertification.org/pdf/CT.pdf

Human Service Worker

provide many types of assistance to people with disabilities, people with substance abuse issues, people with mental illness, people with traumatic brain injuries, and the elderly.  Human service workers work in a variety of settings and work doing a variety of specialties.  Working with paraprofessionals and professionals, human service workers work with clients/consumers to encourage self-sufficiency. 

Opportunities for professional development are often available.

For a generic introduction to this field, view this video: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-1093.00

For more information on education in Alaska

Occupational Endorsement in Conflict Resolution http://hums.uaa.alaska.edu/Conflict_Resolution.htm
UAF Rural Human Services Certificate
http://www.uaf.edu/rhs/index.html
Learn as you Earn Degree: http://www.alaskachd.org/learn/index.html 
UAA Human Services Associate Degree http://hums.uaa.alaska.edu/AASRequirements.html
UAA Human Services Bachelors Degree http://hums.uaa.alaska.edu/bachelorsdegree.html
UAF Tanana Valley Human Service Associate Degree
http://www.tvc.uaf.edu/programs/hums/

Social Worker

People who work to better the social welfare of others as licensed social workers.  Social Workers work with all groups of people.  A person can work in a variety of settings with a social work degree, residential, office, clinical, or otherwise. 
There are many opportunities for educational and professional development.  To be considered a social worker you must hold a baccalaureate in social work (BSW), from there you can get your Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), and your Doctorate (DSW).  You can also become licensed as a social worker, including as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 

For a generic introduction into the field, view these videos: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-1021.00
http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-1022.00

For More information on educational opportunities in Alaska

University of Alaska – Anchorage http://socwork.uaa.alaska.edu/
University of Alaska – Fairbanks http://www.alaska.edu/socwork/
UAF Center for Distance Education: http://www.distance.uaf.edu/
UAS Sitka http://www.uas.alaska.edu/sitka/StudentServices/stserv_programs.htm

For Information on Licensure

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pcsw.htm

Counselors (LPC, LMHC, PhD, Clinician, LMFT, etc)

Working, via a variety of methods, to assist people with personal, family, and mental health problems.  Counselor responsibilities will vary depending on clientele and specialty.  They may work in a variety of settings, including office, clinical, residential, and other places.  To be licensed in Alaska as a counselor you must have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate.

For a generic introduction to the field: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-1014.00

For More Information about Education in Alaska

University of Alaska Anchorage http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/psych/

University of Alaska Anchorage Master of Social Work Program http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/socialwork/admissions/MSW/courses.cfm?renderforprint=1

Alaska Pacific University  Anchorage http://www.alaskapacific.edu/degs/mscp/
University of Alaska Kenai http://www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/index.html
University of Alaska Fairbanks http://www.uaf.edu/psych/
University of Alaska Southeast http://www.uas.alaska.edu/socsci/disciplines/psychology.html

Ph.D. Program in Clinical-Community Psychology

The Joint UAF-UAA PhD program in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural, Indigenous emphasis would like to be listed.  The program is five years long, including a one-year pre-doctoral internship.  Students are enrolled in both UAA in Anchorage and UAF in Fairbanks.  For information please see: http://psyphd.alaska.edu/ or in Anchorage contact Anissa Hauser at 907 561-2880, in Fairbanks contact Paul Landen at 907 474-7012.

For More Information on Licensure

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/ppco.htm

Gerontology Specialty

More and more workers at all levels and in all specialties are needed to help our elders in Alaska.  There is graduate level training available. 

For more information go to

http://elders.uaa.alaska.edu/about.htm

Early Interventionist

Provides direct intervention techniques and strategies that support families in fostering the growth and development of their infants and toddlers with disabilities and/or developmental delays.  Early interventionists usually have Master Degrees and specialties in speech/language, occupational therapy, and other related occupations.  For More Information: check out this video