What is Arctic and Northern Studies?

Arctic and Northern Studies (ACNS) is an interdisciplinary and innovative program in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø (51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø). It offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), a Graduate Certificate, and a Master of Arts (M.A.). The program also houses several Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) Ph.D. students. Each degree educates students about the common and distinctive features of the peoples, regions, and countries; and about the issues, opportunities, and challenges; of the circumpolar North.

The program offers students broad flexibility so they can choose a course of study that corresponds to their needs and interests. Common academic interests of students include climate dynamics; Northern histories; political cooperation and challenges in the North; international relations; natural resource management; Indigenous cultures and Indigenous peoples’ concerns; and Northern literature, arts, and humanities. The program draws from a number of fields, including anthropology, art, biology, geography, history, literature, political science, psychology, and more.

The geographic location of 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø allows students to immerse themselves in a sub-Arctic environment while studying Northern issues. The degrees are also available online. ACNS students benefit from the expertise and research experience of the faculty and from the comprehensive holdings of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives at the Rasmuson Library.

51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø students photograph the aurora during a workshop held by 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Outdoor Adventures at Murphy Dome.

The Arctic and Northern Studies program provides students with the opportunity to study some of the world’s most pressing problems in one of the world’s most beautiful settings.

In recent years, as climate change has threatened the global environment, the world’s eyes have turned to the Arctic, where the pace of warming is more than four times that elsewhere in the world. Residents of the circumpolar North don’t have to imagine how climate change might affect them in a decade or two. Communities are already experiencing the devastating effects of coastal erosion, sea ice melt, crumbling infrastructure resulting from melting permafrost, and the most destructive wildfires on record. Our program educates the next generation of students and supports their research on these and other pressing issues.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY IN THE ARCTIC FOR UNIQUE STUDENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and locations and have diverse interests and skills. The students themselves are a strong asset of the program! They tend to be preparing themselves for careers in or about the North and want to learn about the distinctive conditions and forces that shape our experiences. Students have opportunities to work closely with Arctic and Northern Studies faculty as they conduct their research and take classes with low teacher/student ratios. 
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Arctic and Northern Studies Program Contact Information

Arctic and Northern Studies

Email: uaf-northern@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7126
Fax: 907-474-5817

Physical address:
1747 S Chandalar Drive
Gruening Building, Room 605
Fairbanks, AK 99775 

Mailing address:
51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Arctic and Northern Studies Program
PO Box 756470
Fairbanks, AK 99775

Meet Our Faculty and Staff
Program Director

Brandon Boylan, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science

Office: Gruening Building, Room 613B 
Phone: 907-474-6503
Email: bmboylan@alaska.edu


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                 

Email Dr. Brandon Boylan
Department Administrator

Laura Schneider

Office: Gruening Building, Room 605
Phone: 907-474-7126
Email: uaf-northern@alaska.edu






Email Laura
CLA Comprehensive Academic Advising

At times, navigating your way through college can be tricky. Throughout your academic journey, you’ll need guidance from different advisors to stay on the path to success. Visit our advising page to ensure you're reaching out to the right advisor at each stage of your journey. Here is a brief outline of some of the different types of advising available to you.

51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Academic Advising Center (First-Year Students: 0–24 credits)
Designed for first-year students, this service helps you lay a strong academic foundation, equipping you with the resources and guidance needed to succeed in your degree program.

CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advising (Students with more than 24 credits)
Once you’ve completed 24 credits, you’ll work with one of our CLA undergraduate advisors for help with registration, petitions, major changes, and navigating college-related questions.

CLA Undergraduate Department/Program Advising (Declared Majors/Minors)
In addition to your CLA undergraduate comprehensive advising, once you’ve declared a major or minor, faculty advisors within your department supplement specialized guidance, helping with upper-division-level course selection within the major, internships, practicums, and capstone projects.

CLA Graduate Advising
Graduate students do not meet with CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advisors. Graduate students will appoint an advisory committee. The graduate advisory committee guides the student in developing and completing their degree program. CLA has designated department graduate coordinators who will guide you through this process. 

Non-Degree Seeking Students
Advising is also available for students who are not pursuing a degree but just want to take a class and want help with course selection and academic planning. This happens through 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Admissions.

Please visit our advising page for more information and contact details.