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First Nations Education Ed.D. Careers

Expand Career Options

An Ed.D. gives you more qualifications to strengthen your career prospects.

Maybe you’re getting your doctorate to reconnect with your Indigenous heritage; maybe you want to advance your education to help your community; maybe you want to get ahead in your career. Whatever your goal, getting your doctorate in First Nations Education means you’ll stand out in the workforce.

Career Planning

Crystal Lepscier First Nations Student Success Coordinator works on laptop in her officeFirst Nations Education doctoral program classArtley Skenandore, Jr. poses for photo in his office at Oneida Nation High SchoolIndigenous students go on plant walk

How to Apply Our First Nations Education Ed.D.

Here are some positions our current students have. You don't have to have any specific career aspirations, though, to pursue your doctorate in First Nations Education.

  • Cultural Affairs Director
  • Health and Wellness Education
  • High School Education Student Services
  • Museum Administration
  • Teacher (Early Childhood or K-12)
  • Tribal Administrator
  • Tribal Advocacy
  • Tribal Economic Development
  • Tribal Government
  • Tribal Language/Culture Revitalization
  • Tribal Social Worker
  • University Faculty

First Nations Education Ed.D. Learning Outcomes

  1. Foundations – Sociocultural, historical, and political grounding in intersectional educational contexts:
    • Students evaluate and interpret education as a complex intergenerational activity and cultural institution.
  2. Philosophy of education and indigenous oral teachings:
    • Students develop, practice, and critique educational organizational and institutional policies related to administrative leadership, curriculum development, and assessment and program evaluation.
    • Students are able to assess key needs and develop effective strategies to design and lead appropriate intervention strategies including advocacy, policy development, and program design and evaluation.
    • Students formulate a philosophy of education and Indigenous Original Teachings.
  3. Focus on praxis, service, and connection to the needs of tribal nations and communities:
    • Students interpret complex cultural and academic concepts effectively in oral and written forms as necessary and appropriate to the research question, purpose, or audience.
    • Students analyze the role that education in various forms plays in tribal nation building and create strategies sustaining sovereignty.
  4. Research Methods and Knowledge Systems:
    • Students compare, contrast, and implement research and practice in holistic Indigenous knowledge systems (Shared Core Values, Original Teachings).
    • Students demonstrate proficiency in qualitative, quantitative, and Indigenous research methodology, and will select each/all as necessary and appropriate to the research question, purpose, or audience.
Lisa Poupart

Want to know More?

Questions about possible career paths when you earn you doctorate? Wondering how getting your degree can help further your goals? Or just want to talk with someone about ways to impact your community? Contact us – we’re here to help.

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