First Nations Certificate Programs
Program Advisor: Amanda Hancock
The Certificate program is intended to enhance public access to a
university education with a flexible course of study that allows either
a short term exit (upon completion of Certificate requirements) or the
option of laddering into other programs, including the Bachelor
program.
The Certificate also provides flexibility. All courses in the
Certificate are university-credit courses. This means that students can
apply credit taken in their Certificate to other programs should they
later decide to pursue a Bachelor's degree. Moreover, the requirements
for the Certificate could be completed in one year or could be
completed on a part-time basis over several years, depending upon
course scheduling and the situation of the student.
As soon as a student completed the 10 courses required in the
program of study, the student would be eligible to receive his or her
Certificate. The completion of the Certificate would give students the
equivalent of one full year of university credit. This provides a
laddered program of study which could result in the completion of a
Bachelor's degree with three more years of study at UNBC or another
university. Because the program is based on existing undergraduate
courses, Certificate students will take their courses alongside
regular, full-time students.
The requirements for admission into a Certificate program are the same as for any student enrolled in a UNBC undergraduate program.
To be eligible for a certificate, students must achieve a minimum GPA of "C", based on all courses taken at UNBC that are applied to the Certificate. University transfer credits also can be applied to the program, as appropriate, to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
Due to the diverse nature of the courses required to complete a specific Certificate the University cannot guarantee that an individual student will be able to complete a Certificate within a specified time period. Before starting to take courses towards the goal of completing a Certificate, 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 Certificate courses are scheduled to be offered.
The requirements for admission into a Certificate program are the same as for any student enrolled in a UNBC undergraduate program.
To be eligible for a certificate, students must achieve a minimum GPA of "C", based on all courses taken at UNBC that are applied to the Certificate. University transfer credits also can be applied to the program, as appropriate, to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
Due to the diverse nature of the courses required to complete a specific Certificate the University cannot guarantee that an individual student will be able to complete a Certificate within a specified time period. Before starting to take courses towards the goal of completing a Certificate, 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 Certificate courses are scheduled to be offered.
Aboriginal Community Resource Planning
The Aboriginal Community Resource Planning Certificate (ACP) consists of 10 courses (minimum 30 credit hours) drawn primarily from First Nations Studies and Environmental Studies, with offerings from Geography, Commerce, Resource Recreation and Tourism, and Natural Resources and Environmental Management. The courses from First Nations Studies provide students with foundations in First Nations in Canada, cultures and languages, internal and external issues, First Nations environmental philosophies, and the courses from Environmental Studies provide foundations in the principles of traditional planning. The program is generic in nature so that the knowledge can be transferred to different community settings, as well as to the variety of situations that students will encounter throughout their lives.
Two important purposes of the Certificate are, first, to provide requisite education to assist individuals involved in the resource planning in First Nations communities and, second, to provide expanded educational opportunities at the university level for students who are not in a position to commit to a four year program of study.
Students must meet with a First Nations Studies undergraduate student advisor prior to starting this program.
Certificate Requirements
| ENPL 104-3 | Introduction to Planning | |
| ENPL 204-3 | Principles of Practices of Planning | |
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| FNST 304-3 | First Nations Environmental Philosophy and Knowledge | |
| FNST 249-3 | Aboriginal Resource Planning | |
| GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
Any First Nations Culture Level 1 course or any First Nations Language Level 1 course
One of:
| ARTS 102-3 | Research Writing | |
| ENGL 170-3 | Writing & Communication Skills | |
| FNST 200-3 | Methods in First Nations Studies |
One of:
| FNST 215-3 | Issues in External Relations for Contemporary Indigenous Peoples | |
| FNST 216-3 | Issues in Internal Relations for Contemporary Indigenous Peoples | |
| POLS 200-3 | Canadian Politics and Government |
One of:
| COMM 100-3 | Introduction to Canadian Business | |
| GEOG 202-3 | Economic Geography | |
| NRES 100-3 | Communication in Natural Resource |
Aboriginal Health Sciences
The Certificate in Aboriginal Health Sciences offers a multidisciplinary program allowing individuals to pursue their interest in Aboriginal Health Science through a concentrated program of courses on Aboriginal Health and Health Science subjects.
The Certificate requires completion of 10 courses (31 credit hours). Individuals working with Aboriginal communities in a health related field or desiring to purse a degree in the health sciences with a concentration on Aboriginal health will be especially interested in this program.
The Certificate in Aboriginal Health Sciences allows individuals to receive a credential after 31 credit hours of study. The Certificate especially complements a major in First Nations Studies, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Community Health, and Psychology. Students desiring to complete a degree after the Certificate are strongly encouraged to speak with the relevant program academic advisor.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
| BIOL 110-3 | Introductory Ecology | |
| CHEM 110-3 | Chemistry of Everyday Life | |
| or CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I | |
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| HHSC 101-3 | Introduction to Health Sciences I: Issues and Controversies | |
| PHYS 115-4 | General Introduction to Physics | |
| PSYC 101-3 | Psychology as a Science | |
| FNST 200-3 | Methods and Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
|
Aboriginal Medicines I-Harvesting and Preservation | ||
| FNST 282-3 | Aboriginal Health Philosophy | |
| MATH 115-3 | Pre-Calculus |
First Nations Language
The Certificate in First Nations Language consists of 10 courses (30 credit hours) and offers a program that allows individuals to pursue an interest in First Nations language through a concentrated program of courses on a particular language.
This certificate 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 certificate 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's degree program.
Credits earned in the certificate program can be applied to the major or minor in First Nations Studies, subject to the requirements of those First Nations Studies programs.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
Five courses (15 credit hours) of study in a First Nations language of Northern BC, including one immersion course.
Two courses (six credit hours) of introductory First Nations Studies, including courses on culture and issues.
Two courses (six credit hours) of English.
One course (three credit hours) of Linguistics of First Nations languages.
First Nations Public Administration
The Certificate in First Nations Public Administration consists of ten courses (30 credit hours) drawn primarily from the Departments of First Nations Studies and Political Science, with offerings from Business Administration and Economics. The courses from First Nations Studies provide students with foundations in internal and external First Nations issues and culture, and the courses from Political Science provide foundations in the principles of government, politics, and public administration, as well as some specialization in First Nations law, self-government and administration. The program is generic in nature so that the knowledge can be transferred to different community settings, as well as to the variety of situations that students will encounter throughout their lives.
Two important purposes of the Certificate are, first, to provide requisite education to assist individuals involved in the administration of First Nations governments and, second, to provide expanded educational opportunities at the university level for students who are not in a position to commit to a four-year program of study.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
| COMM 210-3 | Financial Accounting | |
| ECON 101-3 | Macroeconomics | |
| ENGL 170-3 | Writing and Communication Skills | |
| or ARTS 102-3 | Research Writing | |
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| POLS 100-3 | Contemporary Political Issues | |
| POLS 200-3 | Canadian Government and Politics | |
| POLS 220-3 | Canadian Law and Aboriginal Peoples | |
| POLS 340-3 | First Nations Self-Government and Administration |
Two of:
| FNST 215-3 | Issues in External Relations for Contemporary Indigenous People | |
| FNST 216-3 | Issues in Internal Relations for Contemporary Indigenous People |
Any FNST culture level 1 course or and any FNST language level 1 course.
General First Nations Studies
The Certificate in General First Nations Studies is a multidisciplinary program allowing individuals to pursue their interests in First Nations Studies through a concentrated program of courses on First Nations subjects.
The program ladders well into a major in First Nations Studies, Anthropology, Biology, History, Education, English, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Geography, Nursing and Community Health, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Women's Studies.
The Certificate requires successful completion of 10 courses (30 credit hours). Eighteen of these credit hours are earned by completing six required courses. The remaining four courses (12 credit hours) consist of options from the First Nations Studies program, including at least one course from the approved ancillary course list.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| FNST 200-3 | Methods and Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| FNST 215-3 | Issues in External Relations for Contemporary Indigenous Peoples | |
| ANTH 206-3 | Ethnography in Northern British Columbia | |
| or FNST 304-3 | First Nations Environmental Philosophy and Knowledge | |
| HIST 110-3 | Indigena |
Any First Nations Culture Level 1 course or any First Nations Language Level 1 course.
Nine credit hours of First Nations Studies at any level approved by the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Three credit hours from the approved list of ancillary courses. Please refer to the list of Approved Ancillary Courses.
Métis Studies
The Certificate in Métis Studies offers a program that allows individuals to pursue their interests through a concentrated program of courses on the Métis Nation.
The certificate requires successful completion of 10 courses (30 credit hours).
Persons of Métis descent, other aboriginal people, and people who are working with aboriginal organizations will be especially interested in this program.
The Certificate in Métis Studies allows students to receive a credential after one year of studies which can be laddered into any UNBC program. It especially complements a major in First Nations Studies, Anthropology, History, English, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Geography, Nursing and Community Health, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Women's Studies.
The Certificate will be primarily offered through the Prince George campus. First Nations Studies is committed to distance delivery where possible. Students at other regional locals could take the certificate through a combination of face to face and distance delivery.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| FNST 200-3 | Methods and Perspectives in First Nations Studies |
Three of:
| FNST 171-3 | Métis Studies Level 1 | |
| FNST 172-3 | Métis Studies Level 2 | |
| FNST 271-3 | Métis Studies Level 3 | |
| FNST 272-3 | Métis Studies Level 4 | |
| FNST 131-3 | First Nations Language (Cree Language): Level 1 | |
| FNST 132-3 | First Nations Language (Cree Language): Level 2 | |
| FNST 231-3 | First Nations Language (Cree Language): Level 3 | |
| FNST 232-3 | First Nations Language (Cree Language): Level 4 |
Note: Cree is subject to the availability of language instructors.
Five courses (15 credit hours) of First Nations Studies courses dealing with Métis culture, language, or issues. These options will be determined by FNST course offerings in that year. They can be either lower-division or upper-division courses. They can include ancillary courses identified by the Department. An ancillary course is defined as a course in a Department other than First Nations Studies which has sufficient substantive content in common with First Nations Studies. The Department maintains a list of approved ancillary courses.
Nisga'a Studies
The Certificate in Nisga'a Studies offers a program that allows individuals to pursue their interests in First Nations Studies through a concentrated program of courses on the Nisga'a First Nation.
The certificate requires successful completion of 10 courses (30 credit hours).
Persons of Nisga'a descent, other aboriginal people, and people who are working with aboriginal organizations will be especially interested in this program.
It especially complements a major in First Nations Studies, Anthropology, History, English, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Geography, Nursing and Community Health, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Women's Studies.
The Certificate will be primarily offered through the WWN. First Nations Studies is committed to distance delivery where possible. Students at the Prince George campus or other regional locals could take the certificate through a combination of face to face and distance delivery.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
| FNST 200-3 | Methods and Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| FNST 215-3 | Issues in External Relations for Contemporary Indigenous Peoples |
Six of:
| FNST 139-3 | Nisga's Language: Level 1 | |
| FNST 140-3 | Nisga'a Language: Level 2 | |
| FNST 169-3 | Nisga'a Culture: Level 1 | |
| FNST 170-3 | Nisga's Culture: Level 2 | |
| 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 |
Note: It is possible to take all four levels of one category, either language or culture, and two levels of the other category.
Two courses (6 credit hours) of First Nations Studies dealing with Nisga'a culture, language, or issues. These two options will be determined by FNST course offerings in that year. They can be at any level. They can include ancillary courses identified by the Department. An ancillary course is defined as a course in a Department other than First Nations Studies which has sufficient substantive content in common with First Nations Studies. The Department maintains a list of approved ancillary courses.
Traditional Environmental Knowledge
The Certificate in Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) is a multidisciplinary program allowing individuals to pursue their interests in TEK through a concentrated program of courses on First Nations and Environmental subjects.
This program ladders well into a major in First Nations Studies, Anthropology, Biology, History, Education, English, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Geography, Nursing and Community Health, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Women's Studies as well as leading into majors in Physics and Chemistry.
The Certificate requires successful completion of 10 courses (minimum 30 credit hours). Eighteen of these hours are earned by completing six required First Nations courses. The remaining four courses (minimum 12 credit hours) consist of options from four different streams: Non-Science, Biology, and Chemistry or Physics.
Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of First Nations Studies.
Certificate Requirements
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| FNST 203-3 | Introduction to Traditional Environmental Knowledge | |
| FNST 304-3 | First Nations Environmental Philosophy and Knowledge |
Any First Nations Culture Level 1 course or any First Nations Language Level 1 course. One of:
| ARTS 102-3 | Research Writing | |
| ENGL 170-3 | Writing & Communication Skills | |
| FNST 200-3 | Methods in First Nations Studies |
One of:
| FNST 206-3 | First Nations Oral Literatures | |
| FNST 215-3 | Issues in External Relations for Contemporary Indigenous Peoples | |
| FNST 216-3 | Issues in Internal Relations for Contemporary Indigenous Peoples | |
| FNST 302-3 | First Nations Health and Healing | |
| FNST 303-3 | First Nations Religions and Philosophy |
Ecology Stream
| BIOL 101-4 | Introductory Biology I | |
| BIOL 102-4 | Introductory Biology II | |
| BIOL 201-3 | Ecology | |
| ENSC 201-3 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science | |
| or NREM 204-3 | Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries |
Chemistry Stream
| MATH 115-3 | Precalculus | |
| or MATH alternative | ||
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I | |
| and/or CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I | |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II | |
| and/or CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II | |
| ENSC 201-3 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science | |
| or optional course | ||
Non-Science Major Stream
| CORE 104-3 | Life Sciences | |
| NREM 100-2* | Natural Resource Management I | |
| or NREM 101-2 | Natural Resource Management II | |
| NREM 210-4 | Integrated Resources Management | |
| or Optional Course (except ENSC 201-2) | ||
*Note: Applications for exemption from NREM 100-2 must be made within the first year of study in any Natural Resource Management major.
Physics Stream
| MATH 115-3 | Precalculus | |
| or MATH alternative | ||
| PHYS 115-4 | General Introduction to Physics | |
| PHYS 100-4 | Introduction to Physics I | |
| or PHYS 110-4 | Introduction to Physics I: Mechanics | |
| PHYS 101-4 | Introduction to Physics II | |
| or PHYS 111-4 | Introduction Physics II: Waves and Electricity | |
Optional Courses
| COMM 100-3 | Introduction to Canadian Business | |
| ENPL 104-3 | Introduction to Planning | |
| GEOG 100-3 | Environments and People | |
| ENSC 201-3 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science | |
| GEOG 200-3 | Geography of BC |
