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American Indian Studies (Cultural Resource Revitalization and Sust), MS

American Indian Studies (Cultural Resource Revitalization and Sust), MS

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / American Indian Studies (Cultural Resource Revitalization and Sust), MS
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American Indian, Indigenous Studies, Native Studies

ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.


Focus on American Indian cultural and funerary patrimony as you become skilled in analyzing policies and laws related to revitalization and sustainability of cultural resources.

Program description
Degree awarded: MS  American Indian Studies (Cultural Resource Revitalization and Sustainability)

This transdisciplinary Master of Science program in American Indian studies with a concentration in cultural resource revitalization and sustainability provides you with an intellectual and practical understanding of the issues facing American Indian populations, and the ability to apply that knowledge.

You acquire problem-solving skills that are useful in a variety of professional arenas, including government, private and nonprofit agencies. The curriculum's focus is on languages, cultures, arts, activism, histories, legal policy and education from an American Indian studies paradigm perspective. Delivery is mainly through in-person courses.

Through the cultural resource revitalization and sustainability concentration, you explore the development and implementation of American Indian-focused cultural resource management processes and analyze how policies and laws can improve or hinder the protection of American Indian cultural and funerary patrimony.

At a glance
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree requirements

30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (AIS 593)

Required Core (6 credit hours)
AIS 501 Foundations of American Indian and Indigenous Studies (3)
AIS 514 Indigenous Thinkers and Intellectual Traditions (3)

Concentration (9 credit hours)

Electives (6 or 9 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
AIS 593 Applied Project (6) or
AIS 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
As a culminating experience, students must complete a thesis or an applied project, depending on the student's career goals and interests. A thesis is primarily research oriented and involves formulating a research question, conducting a literature review and employing rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data. A thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to conduct independent research and provide insights that advance academic knowledge and can serve as a stepping stone for further academic pursuits, such as a PhD. An applied project is just as rigorous as a thesis but more practice oriented and designed to solve real-world problems or address specific issues within a community, organization or field. It emphasizes the practical application of knowledge rather than purely theoretical research. Applied projects often focus on improving practices, policies or programs within a particular setting.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university of recognized standing in a related field such as history, justice studies, sociology, ethnic studies, anthropology, political science or education.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. personal essay
  4. writing sample
  5. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The personal essay should be three to four pages and indicate the applicant's prior research experience and training, professional goals and research interests, and the fit between their interests and the program's emphases, requirements, current faculty and coursework.

The writing sample should be 12 to 15 pages and can be a relevant policy paper or report, or a research paper for an academic course.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Career opportunities

After leaving ASU, many graduates:

  • conduct research related to Indigenous culture revitalization
  • direct or manage Indigenous culture organizations or companies
  • facilitate Indigenous community partnerships and projects
Contact information

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.

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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