American Indian Studies (Tribal Leadership and Governance), MS
American Indian, Indigenous Studies, Native Studies
Become a leader who empowers Indigenous communities and drives meaningful change in tribal nations.
If you are committed to advancing the goals of Indigenous communities through effective governance and leadership practices, the Master of Science program in American Indian studies with a concentration in tribal leadership and governance is for you. In this interdisciplinary program, you gain a deep understanding of the distinct political, cultural and legal frameworks that shape tribal nations, preparing you to become an effective community leader.
The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, covering essential topics such as tribal sovereignty, governance structures, decision-making processes and community development. You explore traditional Indigenous practices and contemporary governance models, gaining insights into balancing cultural values with modern goals and challenges. Key focus areas include economic development, environmental stewardship, legal frameworks and community engagement. The program emphasizes ethical leadership and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that you approach your work with respect for Indigenous values and traditions.
You learn from Indigenous research scholars, community leaders, and practitioners who bring rich perspectives and experiences to the classroom. This collaborative environment fosters critical dialogue and encourages you to reflect on your role as a community partner and advocate. By engaging with diverse voices and perspectives, you develop a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities within tribal governance. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical experience, this program prepares you to address the complex challenges facing tribal nations and to advocate for sustainable, culturally relevant solutions. You have the opportunity to elevate tribal leadership and contribute to the empowerment of Indigenous peoples.
- 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 Practicum (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 but more practice-oriented and is 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.
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.
- Propose a policy structure to address a legal issue impacting an Indigenous nation or community.
Graduates are well-prepared for a variety of roles working with or for tribal governments, tribally serving government agencies, policymakers, nonprofit organizations and community-based initiatives. They emerge as skilled leaders capable of navigating the intricacies of tribal administration, policy development and community engagement. Whether working in economic development, environmental management or social services, graduates are prepared to drive positive change and enhance the well-being of 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.
