2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

Department website: https://www.uwgb.edu/fned

The program is centered in Indigenous knowledge systems and draws upon Indigenous teaching and learning methods. The program aligns with the UW-Green Bay’s mission to provide an interdisciplinary, problem-focused educational experience that prepares students to think critically and address complex issues in a multicultural and changing world. The Ed.D. in First Nations Education enriches the quality of life for students and the community by embracing the educational value of diversity, encouraging engaged citizenship, and serving as an intellectual and cultural resource for First Nations and non-First Nations communities. In addition, the Ed.D. advances the institutional goal of improving teaching and learning with its focus on First Nations Elder epistemology and pedagogy. 

The program is practitioner focused and driven by professional and community needs. The Education Doctorate (Ed.D.) is an applied degree that addresses genuine issues and generates knowledge about First Nations. The Ed.D. in First Nations Education prepares leaders to transform institutions and promote cultural resurgence and the vitality of future generations.

The program draws students from an array of professional backgrounds including: PK-12 administrators in school districts with First Nations students, tribal college administrators and teachers, tribal education administrators, tribal social service administrators, tribal health care administrators, tribal library administration, First Nations governmental officials, tribal school district administrators, tribal career service and vocational rehabilitation administrators, tribal historians, tribal human resources administrators, and others.  

The 54-credit degree program is offered over 4 years. The degree consists of a set of core courses offered primarily in face to face settings, reflecting the oral tradition. Classes are offered on weekends with limited online delivery to accommodate working professionals. Students enter the program in a cohort and work collaboratively in classes during the first two years of the program, including summer. Students complete the degree with a culminating applied dissertation project in years three and four. The dissertation project is developed in collaboration with First Nations governments, communities, and individuals. It is a scholarly project that impacts the Tribal World.

More information, admission requirements, required application materials and applications are on the UW-Green Bay Graduate Studies website.

Ed.D. i First Nations Education Learning Outcomes

Four Core Areas:

1.  Foundations – Sociocultural, historical, and political grounding in intersectional educational contexts:

a.  Students evaluate and interpret education as a complex intergenerational activity and cultural institution.

2. Philosophy of education and indigenous oral teachings:

a.  Students develop, practice, and critique educational organizational and institutional policies related to administrative leadership, curriculum development, and assessment and program evaluation.

b.  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. 

c. 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:

a.  Students interpret complex cultural and academic concepts effectively in oral and written forms as necessary and appropriate to the research question, purpose, or audience.

b.  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:

a.  Students compare, contrast, and implement research and practice in holistic Indigenous knowledge systems (Shared Core Values, Original Teachings).

b.  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.

Admissions Applications for the Ed.D. in First Nations Education occurs in the fall of every even year and has two parts: 

Part One - Electronic Application

The Office of Graduate Studies sets minimum standards for admission requirements to all graduate programs. Please consult this section of the catalog to review requirements for admission, including the official transcripts you must submit.

In addition to the minimum requirements, this program also requires the following:

• 3.0 GPA
• The Ed.D. in First Nations Education requires all applicants to submit two writing statements in support of their application to the program: (1) personal statement of intent, 800-1000 words (2) statement of scholarly interests, 1200-1500 words
• References: Applicants are required to submit three letters of evaluation.  Applicants are responsible to ensure that all references have completed and submitted their letters by the application deadline.
• International students should consult the Office of Graduate Studies requirements for all international applicants in the front of the catalog.

Part Two - On-Campus Interview and Essay

After an initial review of submitted materials, some applicants may be asked to complete

1. An on-campus oral interview and
2. An on-campus written essay.

Both the interview and essay portions of the admissions process will take place in-house on the UW Green Bay campus and be conducted by the First Nations Education doctoral admission committee. The committee will notify applicants with regard to the scheduling of dates and times to complete this step.

Note: This program follows a cohort model. Students who take a break from their studies (do not have continuous enrollment) will be required to reapply for admission regardless of the length of absence. Re-entry through the admission process is not guaranteed. 

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Students must enroll in a minimum of 5 credits of electives and may choose from the Ed.D. cooperative program course offerings. These credits may be packaged to provide a specialty emphasis established by the participating institution or may be chosen in consultation with and as approved by the Ed.D. chair or student’s Ed.D. advisor.

Steps Toward the Degree

1. Student applicant is admitted to the doctoral program.
2. In year three, after completion of 33 credits of coursework (not including elective credits), student enrolls in FNED 898 Dissertation Project Seminar.
   1. Student successfully completes an individual comprehensive written exam. Students have two possible attempts, if they do not successfully complete after these attempts, they will be recommended for dismissal to Graduate Studies. 
   2. Student successfully completes an all-cohort comprehensive oral exam. Students have two possible attempts, if they do not successfully complete after these attempts, they will be recommended for dismissal to Graduate Studies. 
   3. Student successfully completes a dissertation project proposal. 
      In year three, students will be assigned a committee chair after completion of the oral and written comprehensive exams and begin creating the rest of the committee while they are writing the dissertation proposal. All committee members will be in place after the dissertation proposal is approved (also in year three). The FNED Dissertation Committee Composition will consist of 3 members required, with a 4 committee member maximum. 
      1. Committee Member 1, Committee Chair: is assigned to student by the FNED faculty (required). The dissertation committee chair funding model was proposed and approved by HLC. Committee members oversee dissertation projects as part of their credit load.
      2. Committee Member 2, FNED faculty member with an earned doctorate (required)
      3. Committee Member 3, Must be one of the following (required):      
         • ​Indigenous oral scholar or knowledge bearer
         • academic scholar
         • professional/practitioner from the field
         • community partner
      4. Optional Member 4, may be one of the following:​​​​
         • Indigenous oral scholar or knowledge bearer
         • academic scholar
         • professional/practitioner from the field
         • community partner​
3. Student enrolls in FNED 899 Dissertation Project.
   1. Student maintains continuous enrollment, semester-to-semester (fall, spring, and summer) until the dissertation's completion. Enrollment options include:
      1. Enroll in GRAD 893 Dissertation Completion (no-credit dissertation completion course for doctoral students)
      2. Enroll for additional dissertation credits
      3. Enroll for other graduate course credit
   2. Student successfully completes a dissertation project including the dissertation oral defense.
4. Dissertation advisor files the Approval of Dissertation Project Defense Form with the Office of Graduate Studies.
5. Degree is awarded and graduate receives diploma.