Graduate Admissions

Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis for Fall or Spring admission. However, in order to be considered for Graduate College fellowships and awards, you should be admitted to the program by November 1 or March 1. 

 Priority application deadlines for those dates are:

  • February 1 for Fall semester
  • October 1 for Spring semester

Please note that we will only accept applications for the following two concentrations:

  • Indigenous Rights and Social Justice
  • Tribal Leadership and Governance

Application Process:

If you are interested in applying, there are a number of items listed below you can work on now, to assist you in filling out the Graduate Education application:

  • Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
  • Personal Essay (3-4 pages)
  • Writing Sample (12-15 pages)
  • Names and contact information for 3-5 academic/professional references
  • Official Transcripts requirement for any non-ASU students.  (ASU transcripts do not need to be sent. If additional transcripts are required, the Graduate College will notify you)
  • GRE Optional, not required
  • Pay the NON-Refundable application fee as appropriate

Program of Study for additional information about Master's Program

Concurrent Degree

Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Science (MS) in American Indian Studies, Tribal Leadership and Governance Concentration.

American Indian Studies is now a member of the Western Regional Graduate Program  

If you are interested in applying to the AIS master's program and you are from one of the participating states, then you qualify to pay resident tuition. WRGP is an exceptional educational resource for the West that allows master’s, graduate certificate, and Ph.D. students who are residents of the participating states to enroll in some 320 high-quality programs at 56 institutions, and pay resident tuition.  Participating states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.   

For more info about WRGP, which is run under the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, visit their web-page: http://www.wiche.edu/
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AIS have an application deadline?

  • We do not have a firm application deadline.  Remember that you will be applying to both ASU and American Indian Studies.  After your application is completed (reference letters, transcripts, CV, and Personal essay and writing sample) and ASU has admitted you, your application will then be evaluated by the AIS graduate admissions committee for the AIS graduate program.  This complete process could take 2 weeks once your application is completed.
  • To be considered for ASU Graduate College fellowships or grants you must be admitted to a graduate program by their deadlines. Therefore, applications should be completed by February 1 for Fall semester admission or October 1 for Spring semester admission.  Please see, FAQ -  “Does AIS provide financial assistance.” 

Does AIS provide financial assistance?

  • AIS has limited access to Graduate College fellowships and awards.  In order to be eligible, the student must be admitted by November 1 and March 1 for Spring and Fall Semesters.  They must also have a FAFSA on file and an unmet need as defined by financial aid office, a minimum of 3.0 GPA at the time of the nomination, enrolls for a minimum of 6 credits per semester, must meet regularly with faculty member, and cannot receive a Graduate Fellowship more than 3 total terms during their entire degree program. Therefore, apply as early as possible.

How much does it cost to get a graduate degree?

Click Here to Review our AIS Graduate Student Handbook

Click Here to Review our AIS Graduate Practicum Handbook

Click Here to Apply to Graduate Education

 Reminder there are 2 areas of concentration you can choose from as follows:

Click here to review the Master of Science in American Indian Studies Program of Study

For more information please contact: AISGradInfo@asu.edu