YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture

Bachelor's Degree Program

É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ is a land of diverse languages and cultures. One of these languages is Central É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØn YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik, which is part of the Yupik branch of the Eskimo-Aleut language family, spoken in western and southwestern É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ.

The bachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language and culture at UAF is the only program of its kind in the world. It offers a unique opportunity not only to learn the language, but to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native people and the YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik way of life.

One of the opportunities youÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ll have in this program is to work with linguists at the É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native Language Center, internationally known and recognized as the major center in the United States for the study of Eskimo and Northern Athabascan languages. YouÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ll also get to access materials at the É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native Language Archive, the premier repository worldwide for information relating to the Native languages of É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ.

In addition to the bachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language and culture, we also offer an associate degree and certificate in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language proficiency.

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Quick Facts

Degree type:

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Offered as a major and minor

Availability:

  • Available at UAFÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ

 

Why Study YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture at UAF?

UAF offers the only bachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language and culture in the world, offering a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik way of life. Read on to learn more about the opportunities youÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ll have when you study YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik at UAF.

Engage in exciting research and field work

  • Our students have a variety of opportunities to conduct language research and experience É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native culture. For example, during the Festival of Native Arts (an annual celebration of É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native people) our students conduct an introductory workshop on the YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language.

Access unique language and cultural resources

  • The É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native Language Archive houses an archival collection of more than 15,000 items (nearly everything written in or about É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native languages) offering a tremendous resource for researchers and students in the YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik program. YouÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ll also have unique opportunities to study with linguists at the É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native Language Center.

Work closely with expert faculty

  • Walkie Charles, Ph.D., is a native speaker of Central É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik and has decades of teaching experience. Dr. Charles also participates in É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native Language advocacy as a member of the É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Native Language Preservation Advisory Council, and provides support for K-12 YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language teachers.

Explore the Festival of Native Arts at UAF

 

What Can You Do With a Degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture?

Many graduates of the bachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language and culture return to their communities and incorporate the YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik language into their teaching or workplace. The YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik program is also excellent preparation for graduate study in applied linguisticsÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ”a program offered at the University of É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Fairbanks.

Examples of what some of our students and recent graduates are doing include:

  • Incorporating YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik into the É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Village Electric Cooperative website for easier access to membersÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ accounts.
  • Translating and transcribing manuscripts and interviews for statewide publications for Calista Corporation in Anchorage.
  • Working as translator and transcriber for the Calista EldersÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ Council.

 

 

Explore Classes in the YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture Degree

Our goal is to reinforce a YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik identity that is centrally dependent on the language and culture and prepare our students for success in the world and at home. Required classes cover such topics as YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik grammar, the cultural knowledge of Native Elders, YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik literature and reading and writing YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik.

BachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s Degree Programs Related to YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture

 

Get Started on Your BachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s Degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture

Take the next step toward earning your bachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s degree. We have the resources to help you get started.

Talk to an Advisor

Have questions? Our expert advisors are here to guide you every step of the way. Let us know how we can help.

Transfer to UAF

Transferring to UAF? We can walk you through the process and help make sure you get the most out of the credits youÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ve earned.

Apply Now and Request More Information

Earn your bachelorÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™s degree in YupÉ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ™ik Language and Culture at UAF. Submit your application online today.