Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Language Proficiency in SENĆOŦEN

SENĆOŦEN is a living language that carries the relationships, knowledge and identity of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. The Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Language Proficiency (BAILP) in SENĆOŦEN is built around a single, powerful goal: creating new adult speakers who can carry SENĆOŦEN into their homes, families and communities. 

About the program

The BAILP in SENĆOŦEN is a four-year laddered degree program centred on building deep, communicative proficiency in SENĆOŦEN. Unlike the Bachelor of Education Indigenous Language Revitalization, which is focused on K–12 classroom teaching, this program is focused on building deep fluency that sustains a language across generations.

Graduates of this program leave with:

• skills in language mentorship, resource development and curriculum design
• experience in community-based language program administration and planning
• a completed capstone project reflecting their individual learning and proficiency
• a recognized university degree from UVic
• the capacity to speak SENĆOŦEN in their homes and communities

Program structure

This program is community-based and cohort-driven. Students move through the program together, in community, with coursework adapted to the specific cultural and linguistic context of each cohort. The program may run through the summer session depending on community scheduling.

The BAILP is a four-year program with recognized credentials after year 1 (certificate), year 2 (diploma) and program completion (degree).

Coursework

Years 3 and 4 complete the BA. Coursework is adapted to the needs of each cohort, with SENĆOŦEN language courses at the centre of the program. The order of course offerings may vary between partnerships based on community scheduling and instructor availability.

Year 3: First year of BA coursework

Builds further language proficiency in SENĆOŦEN through mentorship (IED 358), immersive learning (IED 356) and structured language practice (IED 359), anchored by IED 300 (Knowledge Sharing in Community). Electives allow students to explore language administration, curriculum development, resource creation and linguistics.

Year 4: Second year of BA coursework & Capstone project

Continues intensive language development at the IV level, with electives in pedagogy, resource development, and applied language skills. Culminates in IED 450 (the individual Capstone project), in which each student demonstrates their learning journey and proficiency in a particular area of their own choosing.

View full program and course requirements in the UVic academic calendar.

Capstone project

A distinctive feature of this program is the individual Capstone project (IED 450), completed in year 4. Each student produces a capstone that demonstrates their learning journey and their proficiency in a particular area of their choice. The capstone is an opportunity to bring together everything the student has learned in a form that reflects their individual relationship with SENĆOŦEN.

The specific form and focus of the capstone is determined by the student in consultation with their instructors and community partners.

Ready to apply?

Admission requirements

Students normally enter this program having completed the DILR with:

• at least 30 units of completed coursework, including Indigenous language studies (22.5 units, with 15 units focused specifically on language proficiency)
• sessional GPA of at least 3.0 (C+) on the most recent session, or on the most recent 12 units if the session is less than 12 units

Please email iedlpa@uvic.ca to request a paper application form.