A Diploma allows a student who has completed a Certificate to build on that qualification. After completing a Certificate, a Diploma will require another 30 credit hours (for a total of 60 credit hours) with a minimum of 15 credit hours being in upper-division courses. A maximum of 30 credit hours from other institutions may be applied to a Diploma.
Due to the diverse nature of the courses required to complete a specific Diploma the University cannot guarantee that an individual student will be able to complete a Diploma within a specified time period. Before starting to take courses towards the goal of completing a Diploma, students are advised to consult with the Chair of the First Nations Studies Program, and where appropriate the Director of their regional campus, in order to confirm when the required Diploma courses are scheduled to be offered.
Aboriginal/Indigenous Health and Healing
The Diploma in Aboriginal/Indigenous Health and Healing offers a multidisciplinary program allowing individuals to pursue their interest in Aboriginal/Indigenous Health and Healing through a concentrated program of courses on Aboriginal/Indigenous Health and Healing subjects. Individuals working with Aboriginal communities in a health related field or desiring to pursue a degree in the health sciences with a concentration on Aboriginal health will be especially interested in this program.
The Diploma in Aboriginal/Indigenous Health and Healing allows individuals to receive a credential after 60 credit hours of study. The Diploma especially complements a major in First Nations Studies, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Community Health, and Psychology. Students desiring to complete a degree after completion of the Diploma are strongly encouraged to speak with the relevant program Academic Advisor.
Diploma Requirements
Successful completion of the Certificate in Aboriginal / Indigenous Health and Healing, and:
| FNST 302-3 | First Nations Health and Healing |
| FNST 303-3 | First Nations Religion and Philosophy |
| FNST 304-3 | Indigenous Environmental Philosophy |
| FNST 411-3 | Advanced Topics in Indigenous Religion and Philosophy |
| FNST 440-(3-6) | Internship in First Nations Studies |
| FNST 498-(3-6) | Special Topics in First Nations Studies |
First Nations Language
The Diploma in First Nations Language offers a program that allows individuals to pursue their interests in First Nations language through a concentrated program of courses on a particular language.
This diploma program is directed towards individuals who may not wish to commit to a full majors program in First Nations Studies, with the associated requirements of a Bachelor’s degree. Persons of First Nations descent and people who are working in the area of aboriginal education will be especially interested in this shorter term program. The diploma program enhances public access to a university education with a course of study that allows flexibility in scheduling individual study programs, establishes a progression mechanism, and provides a short term exit or the option of continuing into other programs, including the Bachelor program.
The diploma program is based on existing undergraduate courses with the addition of two additional levels of language courses (level 5 and 6) and two specific Advanced Immersion First Nations Language courses, which may be delivered through language mentoring.
Diploma Requirements
Successful completion of 10 courses (30 credit hours):
- Six credit hours (two courses) of First Nations Language courses
- Three credit hours (one course) of Introduction to Linguistics
- Nine credit hours (three courses) in the structure of First Nations Languages
- Six credit hours (two courses) of First Nations Language Mentoring/Advanced Immersion
- Six credit hours (two courses) in First Nations Studies
Nisga'a Language Fluency
The Nisga'a Language Fluency Diploma provides an immersive education in the Nisga'a language, and is intended to create new Nisga'a language speakers. The fundamental pedagogical approach is to offer as much Nisga'a language instruction as possible, as early as possible. The program is offered in a manner that recognizes that learners, knowledge keepers, and their communities as a whole benefit from, and contribute to, the (re)development of Nisga'a language fluency.
In terms of goals and objectives, the program is designed to increase significantly the number of Nisga’a language speakers, and to prepare them for employment, particularly in the fields of education and a variety of Nisga’a organizations.
Students are required to complete 60 credit hours of university level instruction, including 30 credit hours from the Nisga'a Language Fluency Certificate.
The first year of the Diploma is the Certificate, and students take the following courses:
| ARTS 101-3 | Learning Strategies |
| ARTS 102-3 | Research Writing |
| or ENGL 170-3 | Writing and Communication Skills |
| FNST 139-3 | Nisga’a Language: Level 1 |
| FNST 140-3 | Nisga’a Language: Level 2 |
| FNST 141-3 | Nisga'a Language Immersion Level 1 |
| FNST 142-3 | Nisga’a Oral Culture Level 1 |
| FNST 169-3 | Nisga’a Culture: Level 1 |
| FNST 170-3 | Nisga’a Culture: Level 2 |
| FNST 241-3 | Nisga'a Language Immersion Level 2 |
| FNST 242-3 | Nisga’a Oral Culture Level 2 |
During the second year of the Diploma students take the following courses:
| CPSC 150-3 | Computer Applications |
| or 3 credit hours of Mathematics at any level | |
| FNST 220-3 | Introduction to Linguistics |
| FNST 239-3 | Nisga’a Language: Level 3 |
| FNST 240-3 | Nisga’a Language: Level 4 |
| FNST 269-3 | Nisga’a Culture: Level 3 |
| FNST 270-3 | Nisga’a Culture: Level 4 |
| FNST 341-3 | Nisga'a Language Immersion: Level 3 |
| FNST 441-3 | Nisga'a Language Immersion: Level 4 |
Subject Requirement
Six additional credit hours of electives at any level; it is recommended that these be taken in the second year.
Updated: July 2, 2024