Overview
SPSS Statistics is a software package by IBM used for statistical analysis. IT Services has negotiated an SPSS Licensing Agreement that allows University of Alaska departments to purchase certain SPSS products at a discounted price, additionally the agreement enables providing SPSS base to students associated with the UAA Anchorage campus, Kenai Peninsula College, and University of Alaska Southeast at no charge. This article will walk you through what SPSS is, and how to properly install it.
In this article:
What materials do I need?
Your computer must have the minimum requirements listed below to be able to install and run SPSS:
Mac Requirements
- macOS Mojave (10.14), or later
- 4GB of RAM
Windows
- 64-bit Version of Windows
- 4GB of RAM
How do I use this technology?
Products Available
The following products available for purchase under this agreement are:
- SPSS Base with Advanced Statistics and Regression add-ons
- AMOS add-on limited quantity available to departments only
- Custom Tables add-on limited quantity available to departments only
- Missing Values add-on limited quantity available to departments only
- Additional add-ons not listed here are available for direct purchase from IBM. Available to departments only
Who Can Use these Products
This licensing program is available to UAA departments, faculty, and staff for purchase and use on University owned equipment for University related activities. Licenses are issued on a per computer basis.
If your department is interested in purchasing SPSS software from this agreement, please complete a Request SPSS License ticket for pricing and availability.
Students who are registered for classes at the UAA-Anchorage Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, and the University of Alaska Southeast have access to the SPSS Base with Advanced Statistics and Regression free of charge.
IT Services uses a software tracking system that logs when a individual uses SPSS. This system allows for reports and audits on username, workstation name and time spent within the program.
Installation
Students
UAA Anchorage-Campus, Kenai Peninsula Campus, and University of Alaska Southeast students all have access to download and use SPSS base with Regression and Advanced Statistics.
Reminder: To use SPSS off of a UA network, you will also need to install and login to the VPN client. Both of these downloads are available on the Student Software Support KB article.
To install
- Before starting, ensure that you are connected to a network cable, rather than using wifi.
- Click the installer download link on the Student Software Support webpge.
- When prompted enter your UA credentials. This is the same login information you use to log-in to your UA Gmail, UA Online, or Blackboard.
- Once the file is downloaded, double click the file to initiate the install
Departments
Before having access to install, Departments and University Employees must submit a Request SPSS License ticket to initiate the quote or purchase process.
Windows 10
Note If you are updating from a previous license version, ie licenses issued prior to August 2018, you will first need to uninstall your current version of SPSS. When uninstalling, all data files will remain in their saved folders, unless they have been saved in the program folder. Data files saved in the program folder may be erased.
- Before starting, ensure that you are connected to a network cable, rather than using wifi.
- Click the search button in the Task Bar and search for “Software Center”
- Once in the Software Center, select Applications on the right hand navigation.

- Find the SPSS icon with the most current version number.

- Click the icon, and select install.

- The install should occur in the background.
macOS
If you are using a Mac/Apple device, please contact the UAA Technical Support Center, 907-786-4646 or uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu, for access to the download file.
Activating Installation
Important
In some cases the IBM SPSS software installer may not properly activate/register the software against the university's software licensing server. If the software on your computer is not registered, the Activate IBM SPSS Statistics wizard will open the first time you start the IBM SPSS software. Please follow the steps below to complete the activation process.
- At the Activate IBM SPSS Statistics window, click Launch License Wizard.

- At the License Status screen, click Next.

- At the Product Authorization screen, select Concurrent user license (My organization purchased the product and my administrator gave me a computer name or IP address). Then click Next.

- At the License Manager screen, enter spss.uaa.alaska.edu and then click Next.

- When the Licensing Completed screen finishes updating, click Finish to close the license activation window.

Updated Versions
Note If you are updating from a previous license version, ie licenses issued prior to August 2018, you will first need to uninstall your current version of SPSS. When updating versions, all data files will remain in their saved folders, unless they have been saved in the program folder. Data files saved in the program folder may be erased.
For updated versions, please follow the original install instructions and simply select the newer version file. The newest version will write over the old version.
Activating Add-Ons
- Go to the Windows Start Menu and Search under IBM SPSS Statistics for the IBM SPSS Statistics License Authorization Wizard.

- Once the Wizard is open Click Next.

- Choose Authorized User License and click Next.

- Enter the additional license key codes provided to you and click.
Continue as needed until all key codes have been entered.

- Once licensed are activated, click finish.
Uninstalling
Note when uninstalling, all data files will remain in their saved folders, unless they have been saved in the program folder. Data files saved in the program folder may be erased.
- Click the search button in the Task Bar and search for "Programs." You should get a result for "Add or Remove Programs."
- Click on "Add or Remove Programs" which will open the "Apps & Features" window.

- Either scroll down the list, or use the search field to find IBM SPSS Statistics.

- Select the IBM SPSS Statistic icon, and click "Uninstall."

- A window will pop up notifying you that the application and it's related info will be deleted, click "Uninstall" again.
- The program will be uninstalled in the background. You may see a few windows appear temporarily on your screen.
Is there any additional information I should know about?
For support, requests may be submitted anytime by Requesting Support for the IBM SPSS Statistics service. Support Requests are worked by Priority based on the Impact and Urgency of need as well as the order they are received by the IT Employees with the knowledge and permissions to assist with the request.
For immediate assistance please review the Contact IT page for ways to contact the appropriate support group.