Indigenous Studies M.A.

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Minimum Requirements for Indigenous Studies M.A.: 36 credits

General University Requirements
Complete the graduate general university requirements.
Master’s Degree Requirements
Complete the master's degree requirements.
As part of the master's degree requirements, complete the following:
CCS F698Non-thesis Research/Project6
Indigenous Studies Program Requirements
Complete at least 6 credits in a field setting, recommending one week camp with Elders.
Complete at least 36 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree level.
Students may transfer a maximum of 9 hours from another university into their program.
Complete at least 30 of the 36 semester hours at the F600 level.
Satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination.
Core Courses
Complete the following:
CCS F602Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights3
CCS F604Documenting Indigenous Knowledge3
CCS F608Indigenous Knowledge Systems3
CCS F612Traditional Ecological Knowledge3
CCS/ED F690Seminar in Cross-Cultural Studies3
Approved Electives
Complete a minimum of 15 credits of approved electives to provide specialization depth:15
Examples of approved electives:
Alaska Native Social Change
Field Study Research Methods
Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty
Indigenous Ways of Healing
Education and Cultural Processes
Education and Socioeconomic Change
Cultural Atlases as a Pedagogical Strategy
Culture, Cognition and Knowledge Acquisition
Indigenous Ways of Knowing
Culture, Community and the Curriculum
Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Well-being
Place-based Education
Rethinking Multicultural Education
Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools
Total Credits36

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Admission Requirements

Complete the following admission requirements:

In general, applicants may be admitted to a graduate program if they have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their major. The undergraduate major should provide suitable preparation for the continuation of studies in the field of choice. Some programs require the Graduate Record Exam or Graduate Management Admission Test and other special criteria for admission.

For the purposes of admission to graduate study, all grades, including those generated from retaking a course, are included in calculating GPA.

If an applicant meets the minimum requirements for the university, the Office of Admissions sends the completed application to the academic department. Program heads and/or committees in fields of interest will determine the adequacy of the student’s preparation and whether or not departmental facilities are sufficient for their aims.

Information on specific degree programs is available from academic departments or by contacting the Graduate School at 907-474-7464 or uaf-grad-school@alaska.edu.

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Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are measurable statements that describe knowledge or skills achieved by students upon completion of the program.

Students graduating from this program will be able to:

  • Apply knowledge and skills gained in implementing practical solutions to real-world problems
  • Compare and analyze the epistemological properties, worldviews and modes of transmission associated with various Indigenous knowledge systems (Alaska emphasis)
  • Apply cross-cultural understandings and communication skills
  • Collaborate effectively with Indigenous peoples
  • Apply principles of cross-cultural research methodologies and methods
  • Conduct research relevant to Alaska and the Arctic that contributes to cultural practices, community well-being, and quality of life
  • Demonstrate graduate-level discussion, synthesis and analysis of crosscultural studies literature