American Indian Studies, MS
American Indian, Indigenous Studies, Native Studies
Join a dynamic, interdisciplinary program that empowers you to impact in Indigenous communities and beyond. Explore Indigenous cultures, histories, humanities, arts, literature and contemporary issues. Develop expertise in research, policy and advocacy, while becoming part of a community committed to transformative change through Indigenous sovereignty, education and social justice.
The Master of Science program in American Indian studies is an interdisciplinary program that integrates humanities and social sciences to explore Native American cultures, histories and contemporary issues. Through coursework, research and community engagement, you gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous worldviews, social justice and advocacy while developing critical leadership, research and policy skills.
Welcoming all qualified students provides for a supportive, collaborative learning environment where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued. The program's interdisciplinary approach allows you to examine Indigenous governance, sovereignty, environmental justice, education and cultural preservation, while faculty mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities provide you with the tools needed to engage in meaningful scholarship and advocacy. You gain expertise in Indigenous governance, policy research, community development, and cultural resource management, equipping you to take on leadership roles that foster meaningful change.
Whether pursuing academic research, public service or community engagement, this program empowers you to make a lasting impact and contribute to the advancement of Indigenous rights, sovereignty and self-determination.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
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) Electives (15 or 18 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)
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 it involves formulating a research question, conducting a literature review, and employing rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data. A thesis aims to 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.
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 are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in history, justice studies, sociology, ethnic studies, anthropology, political science or education or 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.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- resume or CV
- personal essay
- two letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
The three- to four-page personal essay should describe any prior research experience and training, the applicant's professional goals and research interests and the alignment between the applicant's interests and our program's emphases, requirements and coursework. If there are any faculty who the applicant would like to work with, this should also be included in the personal statement.
The two letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can attest to the applicant's strengths and weaknesses for graduate study, critical thinking, writing and verbal skills.
It is recommended that applicants apply to the program a minimum of one month before classes begin.
Applicants with grades below the minimum level may be considered for provisional admission if there is strong evidence suggesting the potential of outstanding performance and skills in American Indian studies.
Graduates have an interdisciplinary foundation for careers in tribal governance, policy development, cultural preservation, government, nonprofit organizations and public service. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge, history, literature, arts, and environmental stewardship, they are able to support Native communities, strengthen tribal sovereignty, and promote social justice.
Graduates pursue careers in:
- cultural resource management
- education
- environmental consulting
- nonprofit leadership
- policy analysis
- social work
- tribal administration
With a commitment to Indigenous self-determination and advocacy, graduates are empowered to make a lasting impact across multiple sectors while advancing Indigenous perspectives and priorities.
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.
