American Indian Studies ,BS
American Indian, American Indian Nations, Cultural Studies, Culture, Diversity, Indigenous Populations, Native American, Native American Religions, Native Peoples, Tribal, Tribal Communities, Tribes, indian, sovereign nations
Explore Indigenous governance, culture and community through an interdisciplinary program that connects learning with meaningful action. Gain the practical tools, cultural understanding and professional preparation needed to work alongside Native nations and advance Indigenous self-determination.
The Bachelor of Science program in American Indian studies offers you an interdisciplinary, community-engaged study of Indigenous governance, culture and leadership. You examine sovereignty, law, education, health, environmental stewardship, communication and literature while exploring Indigenous histories, philosophies and cultural expression that connect the past to present challenges and future possibilities.
Grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and ethical engagement, the program emphasizes research that responds to community priorities and supports Indigenous futures. You build critical thinking, communication and leadership skills through coursework that links policy, culture and sustainability to real-world applications. Flexible options enable you to customize your studies with electives in areas such as entrepreneurship, research methods, cultural preservation and data sovereignty.
Faculty bring wide-ranging expertise and strong partnerships with Indigenous communities, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration. You prepare to address complex issues in governance, health and education --- advancing Indigenous leadership, communication and community well-being.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
- Second language requirement: No
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
- First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
- Math
intensity: General
What If: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Critically analyze a historical and contemporary issue related to American Indian nations & American Indian populations.
- Evaluate how sovereign powers are exerted through policy, law, and action by American Indian nations.
- Conduct research in the histories, cultures, political issues, or contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches from fields like anthropology, history, sociology, political science, and literature.
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.
Graduates are prepared for diverse careers that advance Indigenous leadership, community well-being, and self-determination. They have the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills valued in tribal governance, education, public policy, health and environmental management.
Graduates have the cultural understanding and practical experience to work effectively with Native nations, Indigenous organizations, and public or nonprofit institutions. Many pursue roles in policy analysis, research, advocacy and community engagement or continue to graduate school or professional study in law, education or public health. Graduates are equipped to collaborate across sectors and lead initiatives that promote equity, sustainability and Indigenous futures.
Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
| Career | *Growth | *Median salary |
|---|---|---|
|
6.4%
|
$45,930
|
|
|
2.4%
|
$85,020
|
|
|
4.4%
|
$105,770
|
|
|
7.0%
|
$63,420
|
|
|
3.4%
|
Not available
|
|
|
4.1%
|
$36,560
|
|
|
3.8%
|
$106,660
|
|
|
6.4%
|
$80,390
|
|
|
8.1%
|
$38,120
|
|
|
0.6%
|
$43,350
|
American Indian Studies Program
|
DISCVRY 356
AIS@asu.edu
480-965-3634
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
