Graduate Studies
The Graduate Studies at Oglala Lakota Colleges combine Lakota values, and develop strong leadership skills to produce strong impactful leaders.
M.A. Lakota Leadership and Management: Education Administration (LMEA)
The purpose of these graduate programs is to produce future Lakota leaders who will continue to live, preserve, and adhere to the Lakota way of life for upcoming generations. The OLC Graduate Studies programs are dedicated to producing quality leaders that have a firm foundation in the Lakota language, spirituality, beliefs, values, thoughts and philosophies. The curriculum for these programs is guided by the principle that Lakota leaders work for, with, and among people rather than for personal or material gain. Candidates should strive to demonstrate Wolakota excellence and confidence as they translate theory into quality practices. This program focuses on the four stages of growth as illustrated in the Lakota Mental Health Model Bear Shield- which utilizes cultural indicators in order to measure human development. This conceptual framework model is grounded in the Lakota world view and cannot separate from the intellectual concept of human development.
M.A. Lakota Leadership & Management (LAKM)
The Graduate Studies program incorporates Lakota values and concepts in efforts to maintain and strengthen the Lakota culture within individuals and communities. Not all leaders are managers, and not all managers are leaders. This exciting field holistically examines the potential of the Lakota people to continue to embody self-determination into the future.
WIYOHPIYATA (West)
Wiyohpiyata meaning the cardinal direction of west is represented by the color black. The cycle begins in the west and continues clockwise. This direction is also known as the Wakinyan Oyate meaning Thunder Nation who teaches us that we must be courageous to overcome obstacles and difficulties in life (Bear Shield, et al, 2000). Graduate Students are required to demonstrate Wowacin Tanka meaning fortitude, Wohitika meaning courage and bravery, as well as Woksape meaning wisdom. Entering graduate students must endure and balance day-to-day obstacles of a family, geographical location, financial and personal responsibilities. The completion of the necessary core requirements for Graduate Studies Program(s) requires fortitude, courage and wisdom. Therefore, this is the starting point and the first stage of the entering graduate students' educational journey toward becoming a "Masters Candidate" and program completion.
Admission/Entrance Requirements
The Oglala Lakota College Graduate Studies Department accepts applications from new entering students one time per year for fall entry. Applications are due each spring semester, usually on the last Friday of April. Applications must be complete. All late applications will be reviewed for entry into the next academic year. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned as incomplete. All new entering students must meet the admission requirements listed below in order to be accepted into one of the degree programs. Students must be accepted into the graduate program and attend the Annual Graduate Studies Orientation, before registering for fall courses. The Graduate Studies Orientation is held in August of each year. All LMEA students must attend portfolio orientation. All graduate students must attend seminars as scheduled.
Admission Process
The following form is offered as an aid to ensure complete applications are submitted. Please submit application materials in one submission, either by email, by USPS or in person, with the exception of OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS and Letters of Recommendation, which may be submitted by college routing, email or by USPS directly from an institution or author. Late Submissions will not be accepted and incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Entering students must apply for acceptance into one of the degree programs by completing and submitting the following:
- Graduate application
- OLC Admissions Application (Online or Paper)
- $15.00 application fee
- All official transcripts specifying the date the degree was conferred (OLC Transcript Request)
- Degree of Indian blood or lineage form (Lineage Form)
- Current resume
Degree Program Requirements
Students must meet all graduate entrance requirements to gain full admission to the program. Students may be admitted on conditional status dependent on assessment scoring. Students who did not meet graduate entrance requirements are welcome to reapply. Students will not be considered for enrollment into any of the courses as a degree-seeking student until they have met entrance requirements and have been officially accepted into the program. Students may enroll in graduate core courses LAKM 603, LAKM 613, and LAKM 633 after acceptance. Course work is to be taken sequentially.
Each degree program has the following additional requirements:
Lakota Leadership and Management (LAKM)
Two Writing Samples
1) An autobiography that includes an answer to the question, “What distinguishes you as an excellent candidate for the Lakota Leadership and Management graduate program?”.
The following link will give information on the scoring benchmarks: Scoring Rubric
2) A statement of personal philosophy and vision of leadership emphasizing current issues in native communities or communities serving the native population.
The following link will give information on the scoring benchmarks: Scoring Rubric
Reference Letters
Three (3) reference letters from employers, community members, or colleagues, etc. Reference letters cannot be from immediate family members.
Reference letter criteria:
- Reference letters must explain why the student is an excellent candidate for the Master of Arts degree in Lakota Leadership and Management.
- Distinguish the students' Lakota Leadership professional and personal disposition.
- Explain student professional and personal ethics.
- Elaborate on the student's civic engagement within the workplace and/or community.
Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution matching the admission requirements for the degree to which they are applying. A complete application, with official documents, must be mailed directly to: Graduate Studies Department: Attention Graduate Studies Admissions, P.O. Box 490, Kyle, SD 57752.
Applicants must meet the following entrance requirements before being accepted as pre-admission status.
- Must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Must have a 2.50 cumulative GPA
- Must have a 3.00 GPA in an undergraduate major field in 300 or higher-level coursework
- Must have a 3.00 GPA in all undergraduate Language Arts coursework.
- Receive a rating of 8 or equivalent to .42 or higher on each writing sample: Autobiography and Philosophy of leadership.
- Score as an intermediate in the Technology Assessment
Lakota Leadership and Management: Education Administration (LMEA)
Two Writing Samples
1) An autobiography that includes an answer to the question, “What distinguishes you as an excellent candidate for the Lakota Leadership and Management: Education Administration graduate program?”.
The following link will give information on the scoring benchmarks: Scoring Rubric
2) A philosophy of education, including an answer to the questions: a) “How does your philosophy of education incorporate the mission and vision of the graduate program at Oglala Lakota College?” and b) “What is your vision of the way schools should be regarding the following:
- Administration
- Curriculum
- Communication
- Instruction
- Community
The following link will give information on the scoring benchmarks: Scoring Rubric
Teaching Certificate
For the LMEA degree only, a copy of a current and valid teaching certificate in elementary or secondary education.
Reference Letters
Three (3) reference letters from employers, community members, or colleagues, etc. Reference letters cannot be from immediate family members.
Reference letter criteria:
- Reference letters must explain why the student is an excellent candidate for the Master of Arts degree in Lakota Leadership and Management: Education Administration.
- Distinguish the students' Lakota Leadership professional and personal disposition.
- Explain student professional and personal ethics
- Elaborate on the student's civic engagement within schools and the community.
Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution matching the admission requirements for the degree to which they are applying. A complete application, with official documents, must be mailed directly to: Graduate Studies Department: Attention Graduate Studies Admissions, P.O. Box 490, Kyle, SD 57752.
Applicants must meet the following entrance requirements before being accepted as pre-admission status.
- Must have a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Must have received their undergraduate educational bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Three years of verified teaching experience at the elementary level and/or secondary level on a valid elementary and/or secondary teachers certification or another endorsement that includes elementary and/or secondary grades. Two years must include classroom teaching.
- Must have a current and valid teaching certificate in elementary or secondary education
- Must have a 2.50 cumulative GPA
- Must have a 3.00 GPA in an undergraduate major field in 300 or higher-level coursework
- Must have a 3.00 GPA in all undergraduate Language Arts coursework.
- Submit and receive a rating of 8 equivalent to .42 or higher on each writing sample: Autobiography and Philosophy of Leadership.
- Score as an intermediate in the Technology Assessment
Lakota Leadership and Management - Master of Arts
| Option one: LAKM 706 Community Action Project | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | ||||
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| LAKM 603 | LAKM 633 | LAKM 643 | LAKM 693 | LAKM 653 | Cap prep seminar |
LAKM 706 | |
| LAKM 613 | LAKM 623 | LAKM 673 | LAKM 683 | LAKM 663 | |||
| Option two: LAKM 703A & LAKM 703B Community Development and Sustainability I&II. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| LAKM 603 | LAKM 633 | LAKM 643 | LAKM 693 | LAKM 703A | LAKM 703B |
| LAKM 613 | LAKM 623 | LAKM 673 | LAKM 683 | LAKM 663 | LAKM 653 |
Lakota Leadership and Management - Master of Arts
| Lakota Leadership and Management: Education Administration Ideal Program of Study | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | ||||
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| LAKM 603 | LAKM 633 | LAKM 713 | Elective 1 | LMEA 743 | SCAP internship preparation |
LMEA 796 SCAP and Internship |
|
| LAKM 613 | LAKM 703 | LAKM 723 | LAKM 733 | Elective 2 | Final Portfolio Review |
60 hrs. Internship |
60 hrs. Internship |