Indigenous Governance (PhD)
Gain advanced research and leadership skills through our PhD in Indigenous Governance program. This interdisciplinary degree supports original research grounded in Indigenous governance, nationhood and self-determination.
You will typically spend the first 2 years of the program in residence. During this time, you will complete coursework, meet language requirements and prepare for candidacy through a comprehensive exam and research proposal.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Other: Land-based and community research
Outcomes
Through PhD research, you will advance the field of Indigenous governance and nationhood by:
- developing and applying theory
- conducting original community-engaged research
- sharing knowledge with academic, community and professional audiences
Find a supervisor
You do not need to identify a supervisor when applying. You will be assigned a temporary supervisor before being matched with a permanent supervisor after 2 terms.
Devi Dee Mucina
Professor
Gina Starblanket
Associate Professor Indigenous political life, decolonization, gender, Indigenous feminism, treaty implementation, relationality
Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark
Professor Indigenous political life, decolonization, gender, Indigenous feminism, treaty implementation, relationality
Hōkūlani Aikau
Director, Graduate Advisor Contemporary Native Hawaiian identity & politics, Indigenous resurgence & climate change in the Pacific, Indigenous environmental justice, Native feminist theory, American race relations
Michaela McGuire
Assistant Professor Decolonization, racism, genocide, state crime, resurgence, Indigenous and Nation-based justice and governance
Tory čınus (Johnston)
Assistant Professor Indigenous sound and music, Coast Salish studies, Indigenous governance, sound and media, intertribal music practices
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
Apply by January 15 for September entry.
Apply by January 15 for September entry.
Admission requirements
Program-specific requirements
- completion of the Indigenous Governance master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
Note: If you have not completed the Indigenous Governance MA (or equivalent), you may still be admitted to the PhD program.
You will be expected to complete core courses from the MA program ( IGOV 510, IGOV 520, IGOV 530, IGOV 550 and/or IGOV 570) with a minimum GPA of A- (7.0) to fill any gaps in your graduate training.
The admissions committee will review your transcripts and assign additional required course work at that time.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- your CV
- statement of intent (1-2 pages)
- highlight relevant aspects of your background and training, describe your general research interests and how they correspond with the thematic foci of IGOV
- identify an area of specialization in your statement of intent (e.g. Indigenous feminisms, Decolonial practices in social work, Indigenous environmental justice, etc.)
- writing sample (maximum 30 pages)
- this can be a term paper, section of your master’s thesis or a published paper that best reflects your writing and analytic abilities
- two assessment reports and/or letters of reference
- provide names and email addresses for two (or more) references in your online application
- once you submit your application, your references will automatically receive an assessment request and the option to upload a reference letter or complete an online questionnaire
- we must receive your references' assessments by February 15
- transcripts
Your application will be reviewed by the Indigenous Governance Application Review Committee.
Program-specific requirements
- completion of the Indigenous Governance master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
Note: If you have not completed the Indigenous Governance MA (or equivalent), you may still be admitted to the PhD program.
You will be expected to complete core courses from the MA program ( IGOV 510, IGOV 520, IGOV 530, IGOV 550 and/or IGOV 570) with a minimum GPA of A- (7.0) to fill any gaps in your graduate training.
The admissions committee will review your transcripts and assign additional required course work at that time.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- your CV
- statement of intent (1-2 pages)
- highlight relevant aspects of your background and training, describe your general research interests and how they correspond with the thematic foci of IGOV
- identify an area of specialization in your statement of intent (e.g. Indigenous feminisms, Decolonial practices in social work, Indigenous environmental justice, etc.)
- writing sample (maximum 30 pages)
- this can be a term paper, section of your master’s thesis or a published paper that best reflects your writing and analytic abilities
- two assessment reports and/or letters of reference
- provide names and email addresses for two (or more) references in your online application
- once you submit your application, your references will automatically receive an assessment request and the option to upload a reference letter or complete an online questionnaire
- we must receive your references' assessments by February 15
- transcripts
Your application will be reviewed by the Indigenous Governance Application Review Committee.
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Additional requirements include:
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Additional requirements include:
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Akgozel Karyyeva at igov@uvic.ca or 250-721-6438.