Graduate Studies : Graduate Programs :
Indigenous Governance : Program Requirements
Program Requirements
Master's Program
The Master’s is a full time program delivered in a flexible format. Courses are offered variously as standard academic year graduate seminars, summer institute programs and in more intensive formats. All candidates for the MA degree must commit to a 3.0 unit Mentorship with an academic supervisor and complete a Community Governance Project including an internship, a written report, and an oral defense.
Students in the program must complete the following requirements:
 
Indigenous Governance Core Credits
6.0
Mentorship Course Credits
3.0
Elective Course Credits
1.5
Community Governance Project
4.5
Total Degree Requirements:
15.0
 
Course Requirements
Indigenous Governance Core Courses (6.0 units)
IGOV 520 (1.5)
Indigenous Governance
IGOV 530 (1.5)
Indigenous Research Methods
IGOV 540 (1.5)
Indigenous Resurgence
IGOV 550 (1.5)
Indigenous Peoples and Self-Determination
 
Mentorship Course Credits
IGOV 575 (3.0)
Mentorship
All students must register in a two term Mentorship that will include weekly meetings with a faculty member to help guide the student’s research and support professional development.
 
IGOV Elective Courses (1.5 units required)
IGOV 560 (1.5)
Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
IGOV 570 (1.5)
Indigenous Women and Resistance
Students must take an additional graduate level course selected from among IGOV electives or approved courses in related fields of study with permission on a case-by-case basis, of the relevant faculty, the student’s supervisor and the Graduate Adviser.
Community Governance Project (4.5 or 6.0 units*)
Projects are geared toward providing a practical learning experience and opportunity for students to face the real world challenges of governance in an Indigenous context. They also serve a crucial function for affiliated communities in providing access to the University’s resources and expertise through the students’ participation in projects to enhance the community’s governance capacity.
Community governance project interns will work on a designated research or policy development project in an Indigenous organization, under the direction of a project management team that includes community leaders and IGOV faculty. Internship placements must be approved by the Director, and will typically involve one hundred hours of work in the community and the completion of a comprehensive report based on the internship experience. Before registering in the Community Governance Project, a student must have completed all core courses (IGOV 520, 530, 540, and 550) as well as Mentorship (IGOV 575) and their elective.
*Note: Only Students who have entered the Master’s program prior to September 2009 need to register in the 6.0 unit section of IGOV 598 (requires permission of the department). Students who start their MA program on or after September 2009 need to register in the 4.5 unit section of IGOV 598.
Oral Examination
An oral examination is required upon completion of the internship and should encompass content from coursework, research papers, and the Community Governance Project.
Program Length
The Master’s is normally completed in 18-24 months although it is possible to complete in one calendar year.
Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Nationhood (IN)
The IN Certificate can be integrated into both the IGOV MA and PhD programs.
Master of Arts Program with Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Nationhood
MA students must meet all the core requirements for their IGOV MA degree plus the specific requirements of the IN Certificate. In addition to the core MA requirements students must complete:
 
IN 601 (1.5)
LAW 343, LAW 368, LAW 340, or a LAW course approved by the IN Director (1.5 units)*
POLI 533, POLI 463 or a POLI course approved by the IN Director (1.5 units)*
*1.5 units of electives above can be used to satisfy the IGOV MA elective as well as the IN Graduate Certificate
IN 697 (1.5 units) (Must be taken concurrently with IGOV 598: Community Governance Project)
Depending how students arrange their courses, the IN Graduate Certificate will require a student to take a minimum of 4.5 additional units of course work beyond their MA.
PhD (SPARR) Program with Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Nationhood
PhD (SPARR) students who wish to complete the IN Graduate Certificate must integrate the requirements of the IN Certificate into their course of studies. Requirements include:
 
IN 601 (1.5)
LAW 343, LAW 368, LAW 340, or a LAW course approved by the IN Director (1.5 units)
POLI 633, POLI 533 or a POLI course approved by the IN Director (1.5 units)
IGOV 540 or IGOV 550 (1.5 units). (Requirement may be waived if student has already completed one of these courses through an IGOV MA)
IN 697 (1.5 units)