Native Education

Associate degree of arts in Indigenous Studies

The proposed Associate Degree in Indigenous Studies will allow students not committed to a career stream to enter post-secondary studies. The Associate Degree is to honour and share the cultural knowledge that students bring to the classroom and to build on their experiences with increased academic skills. The focus is on the multidisciplinary approach of Indigenous Studies, including knowledge discovery and dissemination through ceremony, arts, and relationships.

This is a two year program of study, consisting of fall and winter terms.  Upon completion, successful graduates will have attained 60 credits, transferable to receiving universities and colleges.

Delivery method: Asynchronous online

Asynchronous delivery means classes run more flexibly, with students accessing class materials during different hours and from other locations. However, coursework and assignments follow the same weekly schedule as the regular program. Course offerings are limited to the current academic semester offerings. 

  • Intake: October 21st, 2024 

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements
Mature Student Status
Tuition and Fees
  • Grade 12 Diploma or equivalent must be within 5 years
  • Minimum "C" grade in English 12 
  • Minimum "C" grade in Math 11  

Mature Student Status: (no available official transcript)  

Accuplacer Scores:

  • Reading Comprehension = 240
  • Writing Comprehension = 240
  • Grade 12 Diploma or equivalent
  • Minimum "C" grade in English 12
  • Minimum "C" grade in Math 11
  • Mature Student Status: (if no official transcript available )

Accuplacer Scores:

  1. Reading Comprehension = 240
  2. Writing Comprehension = 240

The tuition and fee schedule is based on a per-year structure. This degree program consists of two years of study.

 Tuition: $5, 950.00 
Registration: $75.00 
Graduation: $30.00 
Student Association: $30.00 
Student Record and Student Card Fee: $15.00 
Transportation – Upass (N/A Online) $460.00 
*Books & Supplies TBD based on selection of electives.
*Laptop (w/tax - optional) $1,050.00 
TOTAL per year of study$6,560.00 
TOTAL (with laptop & backpack) per year of study$7,610.00 

Career Path

Potential areas of employment for graduates in Indigenous Studies include public administration, industry liaison, entrepreneurship and community agencies. Areas of general employment for holders of an Associate of Arts Degree are entry-level and supervisory positions across many industries.

Graduates will thrive in positions that require the combination of critical analysis, composition and intercultural communication, such as advocacy, policy, government services, community services, human resources, arts and heritage and communications. Potential areas of further education are Indigenous studies, law, anthropology, history, sociology, economics, linguistics, geography, political science, journalism, education, social work, literature, medicine and environmental studies.

Graduates would be prepared for interdisciplinary fields such as global affairs, community development, policy analysis, adult education and health administration.

Get financial Aid

scholarships may be available for qualified Indigenous Peoples,  Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

Gain real experience

Working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous agencies and knowing how to make valuable use of concepts of interconnectedness and relationality in Indigenous worldviews and diverse human cultures.

Prepare Yourself For A Successful Career With The Associate Degree in Indigenous Studies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Associate of Arts Degree in Indigenous Studies, the learner will able to:

Describe the role of community histories, identities and relationships in community building.

Develop their experiential knowledge in relationship to specific Indigenous lands and Peoples.

Use the concepts of interconnectedness and relationality in Indigenous worldview and diverse human cultures.

Use stories, dances, songs, oration and ceremonies as important sources of knowledge and methods of knowledge transmission.

Use knowledge of Indigenous issues, Indigenous cultural frames of reference, and alternate perspectives to think critically and solve problems.

Communicate and engage with people in Indigenous language communities in authenticating Indigenous knowledge.

Course Descriptions

Year One: 

Course No 

Course Name 

Hours 

Credits 

 

 

Semester 1 

Eng 110      

INST 100     

INST 101 

TBD 

TBD 

 

 

October 21, 2024- February 14, 2025 (14weeks) 

Introduction to College Writing       

Indigenous Experience 

Indigenous Nations 

Arts Elective 

Arts Elective 

 

45 

45 

45 

45 

45 

 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

Semester 2 

INST 110      

INST 120 

TBD 

TBD 

TBD 

Term 2 – February 17 – May 23, 2025 (14weeks) 

Introduction to Indigenous Studies 

Indigenous Relations 

Arts Elective  

Arts Elective 

Elective 

 

45 

45 

45 

45 

45 

 

 

 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

 

 

                       

Year Two: 

Course No 

Course Name 

Hours 

Credits 

Semester 1 

INST 200 

ENGL 210 

TBD 

TBD 

TBD 

 

September 8 – December 19, 2025 

Statistics for Indigenous Studies 

Academic Writing and Research 

Social Science Elective 

Arts Elective 

Arts Elective 

 

 

45 

45 

45 

45 

45 

 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

Semester 2 

INST 240 

INST 250 

TBD 

TBD 

TBD 

January 5 – April 10, 2026 

Indigenous Expressions 

Indigenous Ecology 

Science Elective 

Arts Elective 

Elective 

 

45 

45 

45 

45 

45 

 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3