Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

Additional information

Program description

The BS program in American Indian studies emphasizes the latest research impacting Indigenous communities. Grounded in traditional knowledge and perspectives, the program is committed to highlighting the histories, languages, cultures, arts and contemporary challenges facing American Indian and Indigenous nations and peoples.

Students learn how to project and strengthen Indigenous communities across the U.S. and explore law and policy, colonization and decolonization, nation-building and more, developing career-readiness skills such as critical and creative thinking and reasoning.

In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

Concurrent program options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

• American Indian Studies (Indigenous Rights and Social Justice), MS
• American Indian Studies (Tribal Leadership and Governance), MS

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program.

Global opportunities

Global experience 

Through study abroad, students can connect with Indigenous cultures around the world and expand the lens through which they view North American Indigenous populations. They can learn alongside peers from other countries and develop professional skills that include teamwork and cross-cultural communication. Students can stay on track academically by completing courses while they are in one of more than 300 Global Education programs.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the American Indian studies program are qualified to fill positions at the tribal, state and federal government levels and in the private sector. They can pursue professional careers in fields such as government service or public service. For example, federally and tribally operated schools located in remote areas within Indian Country have high turnover rates for both teachers and staff. American Indian studies graduates should be available to help fill these positions. Furthermore, the federal government, a major employer on many reservations across the country, is in need of qualified people who are knowledgeable about Indian cultures, laws and policies. Additionally, many American Indian nations' economies and infrastructures are developing at a rapid pace, and they have a continuous need to fill mid-management and management-level positions.

Graduates find positions in many areas, such as:

• the arts
• community action work
• public administration (tribal or state relations, nonprofit management, education administration, planning)
• public health
• tribal employment (political office, tribal management, cultural resource programming, grant writing, cultural specializations, youth services)

This program also provides suitable preparation for advancing to graduate study or law school.