VIU Indigenous Studies BA Program

Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies (BA)


  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Major, Minor
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo
Start Your Application
Visit Program Website

The Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies (BA) Program

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.

Program Outline

Program Outline

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 2

Credits

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 Credits

12

 

Years 3 and 4

Credits

INDG 303 - (Indigenous Families and Communities)

6

INDG 304 - (Indigenous Self-Determination)

6

Please select one of 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** focus

6

Total Credits

30

*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 2

Credits

A minimum twelve credits of lower-level INDG courses or courses with Indigenous focus*

12

Total Credits

12

Years 3 and 4

Credits

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 Credits

18

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

Updated 
Friday, June 28, 2019

Program Fees

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition Fee Schedule

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 $153.73 per credit)

4,611.90

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

184.48

Student Services fee (30 credits x $6.79 per credit)

203.70

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month)

165.84

Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year)

275.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

6,940.92
Notes

The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

International Fees

Tuition Fee Schedule

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 (2 semesters x $8340 per semester)

16,680.00

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $381.6 per semester)

763.20

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month)

165.84

Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year)

275.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

19,384.04
Notes

The above table is based on 15 credits or less per semester. Additional fees of $695.00 per credit will be applied if taking more than 15 credits per semester.

The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Updated
Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Start Date and Application Deadlines

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Jan 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604-485-8033
Email: erin.johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email pr.studentaffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Amelia Maher-Ahmed
Phone: 250-753-3245 ext. 4014
Email: Amelia.Maher-Ahmed@viu.ca

Comments

Please contact Student Services/Advising at 250-740-6410 or email advising@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
41.72
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Zoe Doiron
Phone: 250-746-3512
Email: Zoe.Doiron@viu.ca

Comments

Please contact Advising at 250-746-3509 or email advising.cowichan@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604-485-8033
Email: erin.johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email pr.studentaffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
For information on any previous versions please check our Program Archive Page.