American Indian Studies (Indigenous Rights and Social Justice), MS
American Indian, Indigenous Studies, Native Studies
Build on your commitment to advocacy while gaining advanced skills to support Indigenous rights. You'll be prepared to make a meaningful contribution to Indigenous communities.
The Master of Science program in American Indian studies with a concentration in Indigenous rights and social justice is a transformative offering that empowers you with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the rights of Indigenous peoples and their communities. You prepare to promote social justice in various contexts, including community-serving organizations, tribal agencies and nonprofit agencies. The interdisciplinary program draws on insights from law, sociology, anthropology, history and cultural studies, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous communities around the world.
In the program, you study the historical and contemporary injustices that have impacted Indigenous peoples, including colonialism, land dispossession, cultural erasure and social inequities. Courses critically engage these issues, exploring how legal frameworks, social movements and grassroots activism intersect to shape, protect and advance Indigenous rights today. Courses cover a wide variety of topics, including Indigenous legal systems; human rights law; environmental justice; and the role of international organizations in protecting, defending and promoting Indigenous rights.
This program specifically focuses on decolonization and the reclamation of Indigenous knowledge systems, leadership and justice. You learn from Indigenous scholars and community leaders, gaining insights into traditional governance structures, cultural practices and contemporary strategies for resistance and revitalization. This approach enriches the academic experience and fosters meaningful relationships between you and Indigenous communities.
In addition to theoretical foundations, the program emphasizes practical skills through experiential learning opportunities. You may participate in fieldwork, internships or community projects that enable you to apply your knowledge in practical settings. These experiences provide you with valuable opportunities to engage with Indigenous organizations, governmental bodies and advocacy groups, enhancing your understanding of the complexities involved in promoting social justice.
The program fosters a collaborative learning environment that encourages critical dialogue and diverse perspectives. You are invited to discuss the ethical implications of your work, reflecting on the responsibilities of advocating for marginalized communities. This focus on ethics and accountability ensures that you have the necessary knowledge and understand the importance of respect, reciprocity and solidarity in your professional endeavors.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
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.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (AIS 593)
Required Core (6 credit hours) Methods Requirement (3 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Electives (6 or 9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
AIS 501 Foundations of American Indian and Indigenous Studies (3)
AIS 514 Indigenous Thinkers and Intellectual Traditions (3)
AIS 525 Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies (3) or
AIS 535 Indigenous Participatory Action Research (3)
AIS 593 Applied Project (3) or
AIS 599 Thesis (6)
As a culminating experience, students must complete a thesis or an applied project. The choice between the two typically depends 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 it 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.
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 in a related field such as history, justice studies, sociology, ethnic studies, anthropology, political science or education from a regionally accredited college or university of recognized standing.
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:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal essay
- writing sample
- 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 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; relevant policy papers or reports, and research papers for an academic course are examples of acceptable types of writing samples.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
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:
- Conduct research using methodologies that are culturally sensitive and respectful of Indigenous communities.
- Communicate effectively about complex issues related to Native American communities, both orally and in writing.
- Investigate processes and policies that advance Indigenous social justice and Indigenous rights.
Graduates of the program are well-prepared to pursue careers in various fields, including law, policy development, community organizing, education and international relations, and as community liaisons. They emerge as informed advocates capable of navigating the intricate legal and social landscapes that affect Indigenous peoples. With a commitment to equity, diversity and cultural sensitivity, graduates are ready to challenge systemic injustices and contribute to empowering Indigenous communities.
American Indian Studies Program
|
DISCVRY 356
aisgradadvising@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.
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.
