Graduate studies at Oglala Lakota College began in 1993 with implementation of the Managers as Warriors program. In April 1995 the Board of Trustees created the Graduate Studies Department and charged it with the responsibility of organizing graduate courses and degrees into a logical and systematic framework.
As part of that mission, the Department developed a series of courses that constitute a common core for all graduate programs offered by the College. These core courses provide a shared knowledge base for graduate students. The courses focus on Lakota society, philosophy, history and land.
In addition to offering these College-wide core courses, the Department also offers a course of study leading to a Master of Arts degree in Lakota Leadership and Management. It is also exploring the development of a research center for initiating innovative inquiries into reservation-based issues.
The Department encourages development of graduate programs that explore the full application of Lakota culture into contemporary society, contribute to the advancement of knowledge through reservation-based research, promote the integration of rigorous theory and quality practice, and provide a critical foundation for life-long learning. A graduate degree from Oglala Lakota College is a source of pride for those dedicated individuals who seek excellence in education.
