Indigenous Placekeeping and Design, MS
In this first-of-its-kind program, you address global environmental, social and cultural challenges through Indigenous design knowledge and methodologies. Collaborate with communities around the world to explore life-centered design practices that strengthen connections between people and place through meaningful, sustainable solutions.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indigenous Placekeeping and Design master's description
The Master of Science program in Indigenous placekeeping and design is an applied, interdisciplinary offering that prepares you to address regional and global design challenges in partnership with Indigenous peoples and knowledge systems worldwide. Rooted in Indigenous frameworks relevant across continents, the curriculum integrates concepts such as traditional ecological knowledge, design justice, speculative design futures and community capacity building. You develop skills in place-based and community-action research methods, workshop facilitation and the ethics of engagement, preparing you to lead in culturally responsive design.
You have opportunities to collaborate with Native nations in the U.S. Southwest and elsewhere, as well as examine case studies in Indigenous communities from South America, Asia, the Pacific and other regions where Indigenous practices shape cultural resilience. Through immersive, hands-on projects with Indigenous partners and civic and industry collaborators, you gain field experience in placekeeping, cultural design and sustainable development.
The program equips you with a comprehensive understanding of how to incorporate Indigenous design principles in varying design contexts. As such, the program encourages a holistic perspective, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse cultural influences in design practices, whether working with Amazonian communities, Pacific Island nations, Himalayan villages, First Peoples in Australia or other Indigenous peoples around the world.
Why study Indigenous placekeeping and design at ASU?
Instead of examining Indigenous cultures only through history or policy, discover how Indigenous perspectives can shape architecture, planning, landscape architecture and community development while responding to today's societal challenges.
Through the Indigenous Design Collaborative, you can work alongside Indigenous communities on hands-on projects centered on climate resilience, housing, cultural preservation and sustainable development.
In the Indigenous placekeeping and design program, you join a collaborative learning community within The Design School, forming lasting relationships with faculty, researchers and Indigenous community partners.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (DSC 593)
Required Core (12 credit hours) Electives (15 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The program offers a wide variety of elective options from The Design School and collaborating units, enabling students to tailor their education to their research interests and career goals. Students may also explore other elective courses from affiliated schools with the approval of their program advisor.
DSC 517 Indigenous Placekeeping and the Built Environment (3)
DSC 518 Indigenous Architectural History and Contemporary Design (3)
DSC 519 Indigenous Design Data Collection, Analysis, Research and Representation (3)
DSC 521 Futurity of Indigenous Knowledge (3)
DSC 522 Indigenous Design and Media Communication (3)
DSC 523 Resource-driven Construction and Design (3)
DSC 524 The Indigenous Landscape: Place Meaning and Attachment (3)
DSC 525 Contemporary Digital Topics (3)
DSC 593 Applied Project (3)
For their core courses, students select four from the approved list.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. 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. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Admission Information The applicant must complete the Graduate College application requirements, and The Design School also requires the letter of intent, portfolio, resume or CV, and contact information for professional references to be submitted via SlideRoom. https://asudesign.slideroom.com/#/Login In the letter of intent, applicants should explain their motivation for applying to the program and their future goals in the field, briefly touching on their background and the experiences and qualifications that make them a suitable candidate. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio or other collection of work samples. They may submit a design portfolio, writing samples, tear sheets or a combination of different work samples. The portfolio should be a curated collection of the candidate's works, projects and creations to represent their skills, creativity, passion and ability to conceptualize, innovate and effectively communicate ideas. Applicants must submit contact information for three professional references. These can be current or past faculty members, professional mentors, supervisors, or community leaders or elders. Admission to the program is selective and cannot be deferred. Students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted, otherwise they must repeat the entire application process.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 05/01 | Final* |
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Priority* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this Indigenous placekeeping and design master's degree prepares you for
Graduates of the program are prepared for careers that bridge design, planning and cultural resilience in both North American and global contexts. Career pathways include roles with Native and Indigenous nations, municipalities, international nongovernmental organizations, and design firms working across continents. Opportunities include:
- community development planner (domestic or international)
- cultural advisor or consultant for global Indigenous heritage projects
- cultural heritage and resource manager
- design educator with a global Indigenous lens
- design practitioners involved in Native communities and Indigenous urban spaces
- interior designer focused on culturally informed practice
- landscape or urban designer with cross-cultural expertise
- tribal or Indigenous community liaison
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
The Design School
|
CDN 158C
designgrad@asu.edu
480-965-3536
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
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.
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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.
