Nonprofit Leadership and Management (American Indian Studies) ,BS
American Indian, Business, Management, Native American, Philanthropy, Social Sector, Volunteerism, government, leadership
Interested in strengthening Native and Indigenous communities through nonprofit leadership? Learn to guide organizations that advance community well-being, cultural vitality and self-determined development in tribal and intertribal contexts.
The Bachelor of Science program in nonprofit leadership and management with a concentration in American Indian studies prepares leaders who understand and respect Native and Indigenous perspectives and aim to strengthen and advance nonprofit organizations that serve tribal communities. Students explore the structure and purpose of nonprofits that operate on or in partnership with tribal lands, including those organized by tribal governments.
Coursework integrates classroom learning with applied field experiences and an internship that builds professional skills and community connections. Students develop skills in leadership, program management and resource development while they learn to address the distinct opportunities and challenges of nonprofit work within Indigenous contexts.
Students may also pursue the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (https://nla1.org/cnp-professionals), enhancing their preparation for leadership across the social sector. This degree is accredited by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (https://www.nonprofit-academic-centers-council.org).
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- Second language requirement: No
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
- First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
- Math
intensity: General
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 minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") is required to change majors to this program.
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:
- Incorporate multiple perspectives when proposing creative solutions to complex NLM issues.
- Demonstrate proficiency in written communications with diverse audiences (e.g. clients, interdisciplinary team members, donors, community members).
- Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines to develop comprehensive strategies that address the complex challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.
Studying abroad can provide students with hands-on experience in nonprofit leadership with a global perspective. Through internships with nonprofits, students build skills they can apply in their future careers. Students have the opportunity to intern over the summer or during a semester while taking courses in locations such as South America and Asia, gaining a global perspective on issues that Indigenous communities face around the world.
Graduates are prepared for careers in nonprofit organizations and tribal programs that serve American Indian communities. Career pathways include fundraising, community development, volunteer coordination, youth programming and social services.
Many major nonprofit organizations in Arizona and across the U.S. partner with tribal nations to deliver services, creating opportunities for graduates to support initiatives that promote health, education, cultural preservation and community empowerment.
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%
|
$45,120
|
|
|
4.3%
|
$206,420
|
|
|
4.6%
|
$54,940
|
|
|
4.5%
|
$136,550
|
|
|
4.4%
|
$102,950
|
|
|
5.0%
|
$140,030
|
|
|
4.6%
|
$108,390
|
|
|
5.0%
|
$138,520
|
|
|
4.5%
|
$136,550
|
|
|
4.9%
|
$83,480
|
School of Community Resources and Development
|
UCENT 164
scrdadvising@asu.edu
602-496-1658
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.




