Indigenous Studies (BA in Combination)

Examine the social, political, historical and cultural diversity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and worldwide, all from Indigenous perspectives. Explore Indigenous intellectual traditions and how they apply to Indigenous and Canadian issues to advocate for respectful change. Learn intercultural communication and awareness that provides a foundation for career success in a variety of fields.

You must complete this program in combination with another Bachelor of Arts program. 

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on: 

  • Complement with Another Major: This program must be taken in combination with another Bachelor of Arts (BA) program. Combining a BA in Indigenous Studies with another BA program such as Human Rights, Health Studies or Youth and Childrens Studies, enhance the breadth and depth of your knowledge.   
  • Indigenous Knowledge in Academia: Learn from Indigenous faculty who offer rich and invaluable perspective that broadens our understanding of culture, history and knowledge systems. 
  • Pathway to Teaching: Looking ahead to a career in education? Apply to the Indigenous Studies with Teaching Option program. 

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Community Service Learning: Take courses with a Community Service-Learning component to gain hands-on experience volunteering in the local community while earning course credit.
  • Medicine Garden Community Field Placement: Take the Medicine Garden course and engage with the community through a field placement, while also harvesting, drying and making tinctures from the on-campus garden.
  • Competitions: Showcase your work for the public and Laurier community at the Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS).

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Courses

  • Indigenous Peoples and Media
  • Introduction to Indigenous Studies

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Human Rights and Human Diversity
  • Politics, Advocacy and Journalism
  • Youth and Children Through the Ages

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Decolonizing North America
  • Indigenous Forms of Justice
  • Indigenous Issues and Anthropology

Combinations

Expand your field of expertise by pairing your Indigenous Studies degree with another major (or another degree) in Human Rights, Criminology, Health Studies or Youth and Children's Studies 

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Game Design and Development Specialization
  • Leadership Minor/Option
  • Psychology Minor
  • Computer Science Minor
  • Politics & Public Policy Option  

Teaching Option

This is a path to the Bachelor of Education program (BEd). Students applying on OUAC for an honours degree with the Teaching Option will be considered for admission directly into the BEd program. The Teaching Option is designed to provide you with a variety of courses and hands-on learning opportunities. 

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term), January (winter term) or May (spring term)
  • OUAC codes: UIS; UIT (Indigenous Studies with Teaching Option)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • community developer
  • cultural resources manager
  • employment equity officer
  • Indigenous community liaison officer
  • Indigenous language specialist
  • inter-governmental officer
  • journalist
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • policy analyst
  • social worker
  • teacher

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. Close to great walking and biking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?