Lakota Language | Lakota Tribe | Lakota Studies Skip to content View Site Map Lakota Studies Oglala Lakota College focuses on preserving the Lakota language and heritage through Lakota Studies focusing on Oyate traditions and values of the Lakota tribe. Current Students Degree Programs / Areas of Study Lakota Studies The Lakota Studies department offers four different degrees as well as a Lakota Language Certificate. By training to develop skills in research, evaluation, communication, analysis, and graphic design, you'll experience a customized education befitting of the ever-changing demand of modern society. The department also provides the focus for the entire college in maintaining a Lakota perspective. All OLC students are required to take courses offered by the Lakota Studies Department in order to increase their knowledge of Lakota heritage and to prepare them to contribute to the continuation of the Lakota Oyate traditions and values. This department provides assistance to other departments, offers community workshops/forums, assists in the maintenance of materials relevant to tribal history and culture, and serves to help maintain the Lakota language. The Lakota Studies Department provides a safe learning environment that stimulates you to reach your highest potential through a relevant teaching model that reflects diverse Lakota ideology in language, values, kinship, community, worldview, etc. for a better understanding of Lakota life and culture as an ongoing dynamic process. The Lakota Studies program not only teaches the Lakota language, but also provides relevant teachings of Lakota ideology, values, kinship, community, worldview and more. B.A. Lakota Studies Emphasis areas : Lakota Language, Indian Law, Tourism/Cultural Interpretation, Lakota Arts The Bachelor of Arts in Lakota Studies offers emphasis areas in Lakota Language, Tribal Law, Lakota Arts, and Tourism/Cultural Interpretation. This degree is designed for the person who would like to become a researcher or teacher in these specialized areas. It is also appropriate for archivists, park interpreters, and lawyers. A.A Lakota Studies The Associate of Arts in Lakota Studies combines an emphasis on Lakota culture with the necessary enhancement of knowledge to prepare students to act as transmitters of Lakota history and culture for tribal programs and schools. A.A. Tribal Law The Associate of Arts in Tribal Law is designed to prepare tribal members to serve as trained tribal court advocates and prosecutors. The Lakota language certificate is a South Dakota state certified program preparing students to teach the Lakota language at various grade levels using effective methods and techniques. Bachelor of Arts in Lakota Studies Bachelor of Art – Lakota Studies (120 cr. hrs.) Lakota Language Emphasis Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Engl 103 Engl 113 LHist 203 LArt 103 LSoc 313 Engl 303 LPsy 323 Lak 313 LkEd 433 Lak 483 Math 103 MIS 113 Social Science Elective LPol 303 Lak 283 Lit Elect Lak 303 LSoc 303 Lak 443 LTh 443 Lak 103 SpCm 103 Humanities Elective LLit 213 LSci 203 Lak 323 Lak 423 Lak 413 LSci 303 LHist 323 LSoc 103 Lak 233 LLit 103 Sci Elective LHist 213 Elective LLit 313 Elective Elective Elective 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. Download in BA Lakota Studies - Lakota Language Emphasis Plan of Study Bachelor of Art – Lakota Studies (120 cr. hrs.) Tribal Law Emphasis Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Engl 103 Engl 113 LHist 203 LArt 103 Lak 323 LPol 313 LPsy 323 LLaw 343 LLaw 413 Lak 483 Math 103 MIS 113 Social Science Elective LPol 303 Lak 283 Lit Elective LLaw 333 LSoc 303 LLaw 423 LTh 443 Lak 103 SpCm 103 Humanities Elective LLit 213 LSci 203 Lak 323 Lak 423 LLaw 403 LSci 303 LHist 323 LSoc 103 Lak 233 LLit 103 Science Elective LHist 213 Elective LLit 313 Elective Elective Elective 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. Download BA in Lakota Studies - Tribal Law Plan of Study Bachelor of Art – Lakota Studies (120 cr. hrs.) Lakota Art Emphasis Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Engl 103 Engl 113 LHist 203 LArt 103 LSoc 313 LArt 113 LPsy 323 LArt 213 LMus 303 Lak 483 Math 103 MIS 113 Social Science Elective LPol 303 Lak 283 Lit Elective LArt 203 LSoc 303 LArt 313 LTh 443 Lak 103 SpCm 103 Humanities Elective LLit 213 LSci 203 Lak 323 Lak 423 LMus 203 LSci 303 LHist 323 LSoc 103 Lak 233 LLit 103 Science Elective LHist 213 Elective LLit 313 Elective Elective Elective 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. Download BA in Lakota Studies - Lakota Art Emphasis Plan of Study Bachelor of Art – Lakota Studies (120 cr. hrs.) Tourism/Cultural Interpretation Emphasis Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Engl 103 Engl 113 LHist 203 LArt 103 LSoc 313 LSocM 303 LPsy 323 LSocM 323 LSocM 403 Lak 483 Math 103 MIS 113 Social Science Elective LPol 303 Lak 283 Lit Elective LSocM 313 LSoc 303 LSocM 413 LTh 443 Lak 103 SpCm 103 Humanities Elective LLit 213 LSci 203 Lak 323 Lak 423 LSocM 353 LSci 303 LHist 323 LSoc 103 Lak 233 LLit 103 Science Elective LHist 213 Elective LLit 313 Elective Elective Elective 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. Download BA in Lakota Studies - Tourism/Cultural Interpretation Emphasis Plan of Study Associate of Arts in Lakota Studies Associate of Art – Lakota Studies (60 cr. hrs.) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Engl 103 Engl 113 LPol 303 LHist 213 LLaw 413 Math 103 Lak 233 LLaw 343 Humanities Elective LLaw 323 Lak 103 SpCm 103 Science Elective LLaw 403 Social Science Elective LHist 203 LSoc 103 LLaw 333 LPol 313 Lak 283 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. Download AA in Lakota Studies Plan of Study Associate of Art – Tribal Law (60 cr. hrs.) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Engl 103 Engl 113 LPol 303 LHist 213 LLaw 413 Math 103 Lak 233 LLaw 343 Humanities Elective LLaw 323 Lak 103 SpCm 103 Science Elective LLaw 403 Social Science Elective LHist 203 LSoc 103 LLaw 333 LPol 313 Lak 283 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. 12 cr. Lakota Language Certificate Lakota Language Certificate (18 cr. hrs.) Year 1 Year 2 Fall Spring Fall Spring Lak 103 Lak 323 Lak 313 Lak 233 Lak 423 LLaw 433 6 cr. 6 cr. 6 cr. 2025-2026 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2024-2025 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2023-2024 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2022-2023 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2021-2022 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2020-2021 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2019-2020 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2018-2019 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2017-2018 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2016-2017 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate 2015-2016 A.A. Lakota Studies B.A. Lakota Studies A.A. Tribal Law Lakota Language Certificate AA – Lakota Studies Degree Tribal government entry-level positions and as tribal archivists, educational paraprofessionals at pre-K, K-12 schools, and serves as a stepping stone for the BA – Lakota Studies in one of the four emphasis areas. AA – Lakota Studies Tribal Law/Indian Law Degree Tribal Court system entry-level positions, tribal court advocate for tribal members, and serves as a stepping stone for the BA – Lakota Studies Tribal Law Degree. BA – Lakota Studies Degree Lakota Language Emphasis Tribal and off-reservation K-12 educational institutions as South Dakota state-certified Lakota language and culture teachers. Tribal Law Emphasis Tribal court system as court advocates for tribal members, and serves as a stepping stone for possible law school admission to become lawyers. Lakota Arts Emphasis Tribal and off-reservation entities as Lakota arts specialists, and serve as a stepping stone for graduate studies in the arts. Tourism/Cultural Interpretation Emphasis Tribal and off-reservation tourism industry as National Park and local cultural interpreters. Lakota Language Certificate Tribal and off-reservation K-12 educational institutions as South Dakota state-certified Lakota language and culture teachers. Resources Apply Now Course Listings Meet The Faculty Documents