Indigenous Studies M.A.

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

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/Project 16
or CCS F699 Thesis
Indigenous Studies Program Requirements
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 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:
ANS F475
Alaska Native Social Change
CCS/ED F603
Field Study Research Methods
CCS F605
Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty
CCS F606
Indigenous Ways of Healing
CCS F610
Education and Cultural Processes
CCS F616
Education and Socioeconomic Change
CCS F619
Cultural Atlases as a Pedagogical Strategy
CCS/ED F611
Culture, Cognition and Knowledge Acquisition
CCS F621
Indigenous Ways of Knowing
CCS F631
Culture, Community and the Curriculum
CCS F656
Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Well-being
CCS F681
Place-based Education
CCS F682
Rethinking Multicultural Education
CCS/ED F613
Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools
Total Credits36
1

Complete at least 6 credits in a field setting, recommending one week camp with Elders.

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Admission Requirements

Complete the following general university admission requirements for graduate programs.

  1. Submit an application for admission
  2. Submit official transcripts
  3. Official test results: GRE scores are not required for this program, but may be considered if submitted
  4. Submit resume/curriculum vitae
  5. Submit statement of academic goals
  6. Submit 3 letters of recommendation

International Students: Please consult UAF’s most recent application requirements regarding English language proficiency.

Additional program admission requirements and information:

  • 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 Graduate 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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Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.

Thesis Option 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CCS F604203CCS F602203
CCS F608203CCS F612203
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CCS F690203CCS F699186
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Program Elective3Oral Defense
Comprehensive Examination 
 9 9
Total Credits 36

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Non-thesis Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CCS F604203CCS F602203
CCS F608203CCS F612203
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CCS F690203CCS F698186
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Program Elective3Oral Defense
Comprehensive Examination 
 9 9
Total Credits 36

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

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Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of 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