Program Overview

  • Program Length
    4 Years
  • Credential
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options
    Major, Minor
  • Fully Available at
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

Program Overview

The B.A. Major and Minor in Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies are products of a collaboration between Vancouver Island University and the First Nations of Vancouver Island and Coastal British Columbia. Their purpose is to provide comprehensive, high-quality education respectful of the cultures of Indigenous peoples, while meeting their diverse needs.

The Bachelor of Arts, Major and Minor in Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies:

  • explore contemporary Indigenous issues in an integrated, multidisciplinary manner;
  • prepare students for living within Indigenous societies and the larger world;
  • allow students to pursue the widest possible variety of professional specializations;
  • focus on the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being of each student;
  • emphasize links with local First Nations communities and organizations, governments, and educational institutions that give students maximum opportunity for success;
  • build national and international bridges to connect the Indigenous of British Columbia with Indigenous peoples around the world.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.

Years 1 and 2Credits
Please select at least two of the following:
INDG 101 - (Exploring Aboriginal Identities)
INDG 102 - (Exploring Aboriginal Communities)
INDG 203 - (Indigenous and Settler Relations)
INDG 204 - (Indigenous Perspectives on the Environment)		12
Plus Degree English Requirements 
Total Credits12

 

Years 3 and 4Credits
INDG 303 - (Indigenous Families and Communities)6
INDG 304 - (Indigenous Self-Determination)6
Please select one or both of the following:
INDG 403 - (Project or B.A. Essay and Indigenous Research Methods)
INDG 404* - (Internship)
 		6 or 12
Select a minimum of six credits of upper-level courses with Indigenous** focus6
Total Credits30
 

*Students seeking an internship need to discuss this option with the Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies department. All internships are dependent on availability of appropriate sites.

**These can be additional INDG courses and/or courses from another department that have an Indigenous focus. Students must obtain permission of Department Chair for course selections that do not have an INDG prefix.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.

Years 1 and 2Credits
A minimum twelve credits of lower-level INDG courses or courses with Indigenous focus*12
Total Credits12
Years 3 and 4Credits
INDG 303 - (Indigenous Families and Communities)6
INDG 304 - (Indigenous Self-Determination)6
A minimum six credits of upper-level courses or courses with Indigenous focus*6
Total Credits18

*Students must obtain permission of Department Chair for course selections that do not have an INDG prefix.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $169.73 per credit) 5,091.90
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) 162.96
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) 179.92
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) 230.96
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 7,450.74
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $815.77 per credit) 24,473.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) 162.96
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) 179.92
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) 230.96
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 26,831.94
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus