Each candidate must demonstrate a sufficient mastery of the indigenous, ancient or modern language required for the culminating assignment before that assignment is undertaken. Duration: This degree is a 27-credit hour specialization and can be completed in the equivalent of two years of full-time study, if participation in either the VST Summer School or the Native Ministries Consortium Summer School is undertaken. However, if a student wishes to study part time, all courses required for this degree must be completed in five years from the date of first registration. Students admitted may be credited for courses of up to fifty per cent of credits already completed elsewhere in satisfaction of the core requirements. Information Literacy and Research Skills Workshops All degree and diploma students are required to complete 9 hours of non-credit, no-fee workshops in Information Literacy. The workshops will engage students in hands-on as well as theoretical work intended to develop knowledgeable, disciplined and critically astute researchers. See the Supplementary Calendar for more information. Location In most cases, at least one-half of the degree courses will be provided on VST’s main campus or at approved extension sites or in conjunction with web-based course delivery. It is anticipated that students will also be engaged in learning and research projects at off site locations which have the appropriate instructional, research and peer community resources consistent with and supportive of the student’s course of study. Distinctive Resources Available In addition to its own core and adjunct faculty, VST has available the necessary resources for concentration. The Iona Pacific Inter-religious Center offers expertise in the Abrahamic traditions and will bring Visiting Scholars, post-doctoral Fellows and other specialists to the degree courses. VST’s partnership with the Center for Indian Scholars, the Native Ministries Consortium and Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a makes available a number of traditional and academic educators in the field of indigenous knowledge. Proximity to Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and other Vancouverarea post-secondary institutions affords other research interactions. Educational Evaluation Students will have three options for their culminating evaluative exercise: • • •
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A Directed Studies project and oral examination A 90 – 120 page thesis (22,500-30,000 words) A publishable article