Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in American Indian and Indigenous Studies

The graduate certificate is a unique program that enables graduate and professional students from across the University of Washington to join a rich community of scholars, develop research and writing skills, and acquire the necessary context to do rigorous work in American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

Program Description

The certificate will cover:

1. Scope and history of American Indian and Indigenous Studies
2. Indigenous intellectual theory and knowledge
3. Competence in American Indian and Indigenous and community-based research methods in a specific field
4. Completion of a research-based presentation

Through classes in the Department of American Indian Studies, graduate students will develop knowledge in historical and contemporary approaches to the advanced study of Indigenous intellectual history, theory, and research methodologies.

Graduate Certificate Requirements (16-18 credits)

• AIS 575 - Indigenous Theory Course (5 credits): This course offers broad training in Indigenous intellectual history and the relationships between theory and practice.
• AIS 576 - Indigenous Methodologies Course (5 credits): This course focuses on building strong research relationships with communities and prepares students through discussions around ethics, key criteria, protocols, and different possible methodologies based on the needs of the research community.
• One Elective (3-5 credits): The 3-5 credit elective at the 400 or 500 level may be selected from a list of classes taught by GCAIIS-affiliated faculty.
• Capstone project AIS 605 (3 credits): Once students have completed their Certificate coursework, they are eligible to enroll in this 3-credit independent study course during any Spring Quarter.

Admission

Students who are admitted into the cohort will complete:

• AIS 575 Indigenous Theory in Autumn
• AIS 576 Indigenous Research Methods in Winter

After this, students are free to complete the required elective and capstone project in the quarter that best fits with their research and graduation plans.

The Certificate was originally designed for PhD students conducting research with Indigenous communities, and thus prioritizes students conducting or preparing for immediate research with an Indigenous community. This is not a requirement of the Certificate, and others are considered on a space-available basis.

Requirements and Expectations

Students will be expected to maintain a 3.0 or above in all certificate coursework in order to be awarded the certificate. All grades will be awarded by the relevant course instructor(s) and based on the standards outlined in the syllabus.