Rural Development and Alaska Native Studies
Bachelor and master
Earn your bachelor鈥檚 degree in Alaska Native studies, or a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree in rural development at 51风流官网. Designed to empower rural Alaska communities through our students, our programs are flexible, culturally relevant and responsive to the communities they serve.
The bachelor鈥檚 degree in Alaska Native studies explores the scope, richness and variety of Alaska Native cultures from an Indigenous perspective, while the bachelor鈥檚 in rural development is designed to educate a new generation of community leaders for rural Alaska to guide and participate in human and economic development in local and global contexts.
The master鈥檚 in rural development provides advanced academic and professional skills in Indigenous and community development processes, business development, administration and conflict management to prepare leaders who understand the dynamic relationship of rural Alaska with the global economy. Many of our master鈥檚 degree graduates go on to pursue doctoral programs.
Our faculty include experts in tribal law and governance, K-12 education, international law, federal Indian law, Native women鈥檚 issues, cross-cultural communication and more.
Who Are the Rural Development and Alaska Native Studies Programs Designed For?
Our rural development and Alaska Native studies programs are designed to meet the needs of a diverse student body, especially those who live in rural Alaska as well as other parts of Alaska and the world. Whether you鈥檙e interested in working with tribal governments, Alaska Native corporations, rural businesses, federal agencies or community organizations, you鈥檒l gain valuable knowledge and practical skills through the coursework and real-world learning opportunities these programs provide.
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How are the rural development and Alaska Native studies programs delivered?
You can earn your bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree entirely through distance audio conferencing courses. Some courses are also available online or face-to-face at our Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Concentrations in the Alaska Native studies and rural development programs
Specialize your bachelor鈥檚 degree according to your interests and career goals. The B.A. in Alaska Native Studies offers concentrations in:
- Indigenous peoples in law, governance, and politics
- Alaska Native knowledge, cultural resources, and expression
- Alaska Native peoples: health, wellness, and the environment
You can focus your B.A. in Rural Development in the following areas:
- Human and social development
- Tribal and municipal governance
- Integrated resource management
- Entrepreneurship and economic development
- Multidisciplinary
Why Study Rural Development and Alaska Native Studies at 51风流官网?
Experiential learning in the rural development and Alaska Native studies programs
In the Alaska Native studies and rural development programs, you鈥檒l develop practical, hands-on skills through your coursework that are relevant to your daily job and day-to-day life.
As a rural development major, you鈥檒l complete a senior project that involves original research, community activism and community planning. You鈥檒l also have opportunities to engage in a week-long leadership course at a tribal government site in Alaska, meet with legislators in the state capital, and write policy papers or help draft model laws for Native communities.
In the Alaska Native studies program, you can serve on a mock tribal council, write a research paper using Indigenous approaches and methods, review legislation or write a new law that impacts Native communities.
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Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development Jobs
Our graduates work in federal and state agencies, nonprofits, health services, community organizations and cultural programs. They work in tribal governments and Alaska Native corporations. Many also return to their home communities where they lead initiatives involving economic development and sustainable development, or serve as cultural ambassadors.
Graduates of the master鈥檚 degree in rural development work in all levels of management of Alaska Native corporations and include several presidents and CEO's. They also work in management of tribal organizations that bring services worth millions of dollars to their tribal members.
Many graduates of our bachelor鈥檚 degree programs also continue on to advanced degrees in fields such as law, policy making and Indigenous studies.
Explore Classes in the Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development Programs
Classes for the Alaska Native studies and rural development programs cover a wide range of topics, from Alaska鈥檚 relationship to the global economy, to sustainable development strategies, to tribal histories and cultures. Through your coursework, you鈥檒l also develop knowledge in community leadership, business planning, research, project management and other essential skills.
Get Started on Your Rural Development or Alaska Native Studies Degree
Take the next step toward earning your bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We have the resources to help you get started.