Alaska Native Studies Occupational Endorsement Certificates
There are three Occupational Endorsement Certificates (OEC) in Alaska Native Languages: Ahtna Language, Alutiiq Language, and Dena’ina Language.
The OEC in Ahtna Language prepares students for learning knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Ahtna Dene language. Students who earn this OEC will be able to certify a level of low intermediate speech ability according to the guidelines of the Ahtna Dene Proficiency Guidelines scale through completion of an oral proficiency assessment. The style of Ahtna taught in this program is in Western and Central dialects.
The OEC in Dena’ina Language prepares students for learning knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Dena'ina Dene language. Students who earn this OEC will be able to certify a level of low intermediate speech ability according to the guidelines of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines scale through completion of an oral proficiency assessment. The style of Dena’ina taught in this program is Upper and Inland.
The OEC in Alutiiq Language (also known as Sugpiaq) provides students with knowledge, resources and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use the Alutiiq language. Taken together, the courses introduce students to conversational speech and basic Alutiiq writing, reading and grammar, as well as contextual information about Alaskan language relationships, language endangerment and language revitalization. The style of Alutiiq taught in this program is Kodiak Island Alutiiq.
There are two Undergraduate Certificates in Alaska Native Language Instruction: Ahtna Language Instruction and Dena'ina Language Instruction.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Ahtna Language Instruction prepares students for applying knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Ahtna Dene language and for teaching beginning Ahtna Language. Students who earn this certificate will be able to demonstrate a level of low intermediate speech ability and demonstrate proficiency in beginning Ahtna language instruction. The style of Ahtna taught in this program is Western and Central dialects.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Dena'ina Language Instruction prepares students for applying knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Dena’ina Dene language and for teaching beginning Dena’ina Language. Students who earn this certificate will be able to demonstrate a level of low intermediate speech ability and demonstrate proficiency in beginning Dena’ina language instruction. The style of Dena’ina taught in this program is Upper and Inland.