Indigenous Language Education (MILEd) (2024)

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Indigenous Language Education (MILEd)

Master’s Degree Program

The Master of Indigenous Language Education degree prepares graduates to be leaders in Indigenous Language Education.

This master’s program provides fluent language speakers with the required skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to become effective Indigenous language educators. It prepares teachers to support the increasing demand for Indigenous language learning.

This program provides students with opportunities to learn, to understand, and to experience different forms and systems of Indigenous knowledge. This program is designed for teachers currently working in Indigenous Language revitalization, particularly in Indigenous communities.

Graduates are equipped to integrate Indigenous knowledge into school curricula. They become leaders and administrators, as well as strong advocates for language revitalization, land-based education, and social policy work and development.

We offer the following graduate programs:

Master of Indigenous Language Education (thesis-based)

The thesis-based master's program provides the introduction to scholarly activities and independent, original research and is generally critical to students intending further study at the doctoral level.

Master of Indigenous Language Education (project-based)

This master's program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply theory in the field. Projects may have a research element, but of more limited scope and the research is not independent, original research.

Master of Indigenous Language Education (course-based)

The course-based master's program consists of 10 courses. The capstone synthesis provides an opportunity for students to integrate the theoretical and practical elements of their program by writing a final synthesis paper that demonstrates their academic growth and brings deeper meaning to their graduate experience.

Quick Facts

Program: Master of Indigenous Language Education

Length: 2-3 years

Offered Through: University of Regina

Faculty: Faculty of Education

Resources: Program Requirements Scholarships and Awards

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Indigenous Language Education Meet Your Faculty

See Education faculty

Why Study Indigenous Language Education at the University of Regina?

The key benefits of Education graduate programs are:

Cohort programming
Expanded availability of blended (hybrid) and fully online course options
Structured and transparent course scheduling (posted 2-year tentative course schedule)
Increasing availability of open-source education resources
Access to research opportunities (thesis) or experiential learning opportunities (project or capstone course)

Students who hold a Saskatchewan Professional “A” Teachers Certificate and an approved bachelor’s degree may be eligible to use the Master of Indigenous Education degree to reclassify with their respective board of education.

Indigenous Focus

Faculty members in Indigenous Education are focused on:

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Regina is committed to the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and we believe that our student body and workforce should reflect the diversity of our community. More than 15 per cent of U of R students self-declare as Indigenous. We recognize our ongoing commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation process through teaching, research, learning, and service efforts across our campuses. We are committed to:

Improving supports for Indigenous students, faculty, and staff
Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into teaching and research

Providing educational opportunities and experience across the province

Supports

You will have access to a variety of student supports including dedicated Graduate Program assistants and a funding and scholarship facilitator, as well as supplemental instruction including information sessions, presentations, and workshops on a variety of topics including APA style, navigating the practicum placement, and thesis preparation.

Indigenous Initiatives

The U of R’s initiatives to help support Indigenous students include:

ta-tawâw Student Centre
nitôncipâmin omâ Student Success Program (The OMA Program)
Indigenous Social Work and Education programs
Indigenous Advisory Circle and its Indigenization Fund
Hiring of the Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Engagement)

Indigenous Language Education Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements?

Applicants must have a four-year degree applicable to the program (normally a B.Ed., B.A.Ed., or equivalent) and a minimum grade point average of 70 per cent. At least two years of teaching or other relevant professional experience is preferred.

Meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee of acceptance into the program. Admission is subject to availability of space.

For more information about admission requirements, refer to the graduate calendar.

What are some of the courses that Master of Indigenous Language Education students take?

ED 817 Research Methods with Indigenous Peoples

This course, through readings and discussion, will examine issues and research methods particular to research with Indigenous peoples including ethical considerations and protocols. Students will examine the developing paradigm in Indigenous research and explore research methodologies proposed by Indigenous researchers.

EC&I 858 Theories and Research in Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism & Multilingualism

This course examines current theories and research in second language acquisition, bilingualism and multilingualism and makes connections between this research and the teaching and learning of additional languages. The primary focus of the course is oral language development. Research methodology for studying language acquisition will also be examined.

EC&I 871AQ Land-based Education and Language Pedagogy

This course will explore how land-based education can inform language pedagogy. This is a language immersion camp which will foster embodied knowing and the holistic aspect of language. Students will work with Elders and Indigenous knowledge keepers to deepen their understanding of language pedagogy and to increase their language fluency.

EC&I 871AR Approaches to Indigenous Language Revitalization

This course will explore approaches to Indigenous language revitalization. Language learning methodologies and approaches for Indigenous language revitalization will be reviewed and applied to Indigenous community contexts. Through readings and interaction with Indigenous Elders and Indigenous language keepers, students will develop resource materials to support community language needs.

Can I transfer into this program?

Transfer credit may be awarded when a student has successfully completed graduate-level coursework at the University of Regina (while registered in a different program) or at another accredited institution of higher education, either during or prior to starting their program at the U of R. Transfer credit is only considered for courses (not for thesis, project, or practicum work) that are relevant to the degree program, achieved a grade of 70 per cent or more, and are still current for the program. Up to a maximum of 40 per cent of the course work credit hours may be used for transfer credit (not including thesis, project, or practicum hours).

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes! Once you have been accepted as a fully-qualified graduate student with no conditions or holds on your admission, then you are eligible to apply for our scholarships, awards, and graduate teaching assistant positions.

Students with first-class academic records and outstanding research programs may also be eligible to apply for national awards such as the SSRHC Masters Awards.

Education

Indigenous Graduate Students in Education Scholarship
Darlene Ware and Joan Helmsing Graduate Scholarship
Delta Kappa Gamma Graduate Women in Education
Mary Cronin Literacy Scholarship
Gordon Nordvall Scholarship in Science and Environmental Education

Apply for these scholarships and more by visiting our Graduate Awards Portal (GAP), the U of R online graduate scholarship application system.

All Graduate Funding Opportunities

Visit our Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website to learn about all graduate funding opportunities including:

National Scholarships (including Tri Council funding)
Awards to Study Abroad
FGSR Funding/Special Awards
Funding for Indigenous Students
Funding for International Students
Other Awards and Scholarships
External Scholarship Opportunities
External Student and Faculty Awards

What clubs, campus events, and networking opportunities can students participate in as part of this program?

Education Career Expo
Faculty of Education Graduate Student Boot camp
Faculty of Education Graduate Research Symposium
Graduate Student Development Conference
Indigenous Research Showcase
University of Regina Careers Day
Volunteer Fair

What Can You Do With a Master of Indigenous Language Education Degree?

Upon successfully completing the Master of Indigenous Language Education, you will be ready for the next step of your career. Graduates work in elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions (both on-reserve and off-reserve) as well as in government roles and the public and private sectors.

Some of the jobs graduates go on to include:

Teacher
Civil servant
Administrator

Related Programs

Master’s Degree Indigenous Education Master’s Degree Teaching, Learning and Leadership