VIU Indigenous Studies BA Program
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in cors_init() (line 143 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/cors/cors.module).

Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies (BA)

  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Major, Minor
  • Fully Available at 
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at 
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

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.

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 or 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.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

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 $166.40 per credit)

4,992.00

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

199.68

Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit)

220.50

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)

220.80

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

7,397.98
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

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 $11996.55 per semester)

23,993.10

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester)

926.80

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)

220.80

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

26,905.70
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee
45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

Comments

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee
45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

Comments

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Accepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
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.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Phone: 250.740.6400
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.


Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.