Program of Study

Graduation

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree in American Indian studies provides students with unique opportunities to evaluate native peoples’ issues within a domestic and international context. Students gain a broad knowledge of American Indian nations and peoples, with particular emphasis on Southwestern American Indian nations. The AIS courses provide intellectual and practical knowledge pertaining to American Indian culture, history, law, literature, language, art and government. A Bachelor of Science in American Indian studies requires students to complete the University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and American Indian Studies requirements. Students should refer to the course plan to view all program requirements. 

Mandatory advising is required for all newly admitted students, freshmen students (up to 24 earned credits), readmitted students and students on academic probation in American Indian studies. To make an advising appointment please email jennica.fulwilder@asu.edu.

University Requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 45 must be upper-division semester hours (300 and 400 level courses), are required for graduation, as well as a minimum 30 resident credit hours at ASU's Tempe campus. University requirements include First-Year Composition, General Studies and other requirements.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements

In addition to the university requirements, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requires additional credit hours. A listing of these requirements can be found in the course plan for the program.

American Indian Studies Major Requirements

The major consists of 42 semester hours with 24 required core courses and the remaining 18 elective credit hours taken from AIS's two areas of emphasis:

  • Legal, policy and community and economic development
  • Arts, language and cultures

A grade of “C” (2.00) or better is required for all major core-course and emphasis-area requirements. American Indian studies majors must reach professional status in order to enroll in AIS 370, AIS 380, AIS 420 and AIS 498. Professional status includes the completion of AIS 180 and AIS 280 by earning grades of “C” (2.00) or better; the completion of at least 56 semester hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50; the university First-Year Composition requirement and the university mathematical studies requirement; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences writing competence, communication and computer requirements. As students work to complete professional status requirements, courses for university General Studies, university electives and American Indian studies emphasis areas may be completed.

AIS Major (42 hours)

AIS 180 Introduction to American Indian Studies
AIS 280 American Indian Sovereignty and the Courts
AIS 285 Federal Indian Policy
AIS 370 American Indian Languages and Cultures
AIS 380 Contemporary Issues of American Indian Nations
AIS 420 Research Methods
AIS 498 Pro-Seminar in AIS
JUS 302 Statistics (or other statistics)

18 elective hours from one of two areas of emphasis

Undergraduate Minor in American Indian Studies

The minor in American Indian studies is designed for students interested in developing an understanding of American Indian issues and analyzing issues through critical inquiry. The minor in American Indian studies requires the completion of 18 credit hours. A minimum of 12 hours must be taken at ASU's Tempe campus. A minimum grade of “C” (2.00) or better is required. No pass/fail noncredit course work may be applied to the minor. 

AIS Minor (18 hours)

AIS 180 Introduction to American Indian Studies
AIS 285 Federal Indian Policy
AIS 380 Contemporary Issues of American Indian Studies
Nine upper division (300 level and up) elective credit hours from any courses of the two areas of emphasis


There are two areas of emphasis: Legal and Arts

Here are examples of courses to use towards areas of emphasis

18 credit hours from one of the two areas of emphasis. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be upper-division.

Legal, Policy and Community and Economic Development

AIS 294 Indigenous Discourse
AIS 294 Readings & Writings in AIS
AIS 360 Issues in Urban Indian Country
AIS 394 Innovation for American Indian Sustainability (Fall)
AIS 394 Entrepreneurship for American Indian Sustainability (Spring)
AIS 394 Economic Development in American Indian Tribal Nations
AIS 494 Principles in American Indian Leadership
AIS 494 Indian Control of Education
AIS 494 Crime in Indian Country
AIS 494 Human Rights & Cultural Resource Laws
AIS 494 Actualizing Decolonization
AIS 494 Tribal Governance
AIS 484 Internship

Arts, Languages and Cultures

AIS 194 Beginning Navajo Language I (Fall)
AIS 294 Indigenous Discourse
AIS 394 Intermediate Navajo Language I (Fall)
AIS 194 Beginning Navajo Language II (Spring)
AIS 394 Intermediate Navajo Language II (Spring)
AIS 394 American Indian & Indigenous Film
AIS 320 American Indian Philosophies and World Views
AIS 360 Issues in Urban Indian Country
AIS 430 Contemporary Indigenous Spirituality
AIS 480 Actualizing Docolonization