American Indian Nation Governance ,Certificate
Community, Policy, Reservation, Sovereignity, Tribal, government, native
Build knowledge and skills to engage with Native nations and shape a career in tribal government, policy and community development, regardless of your major.
The American Indian nation governance certificate program prepares you to be a leader who understands and supports the sovereignty and self-determination of Native nations. You gain a broad understanding of tribal governance structures, legal foundations and policy processes while examining how Native nations exercise sovereignty and shape their own futures.
Grounded in Indigenous perspectives and community priorities, the program emphasizes leadership, ethical engagement, and practical skills for working across governments and institutions. Through courses in federal Indian policy, tribal sovereignty and Indigenous leadership, you explore how governance systems reflect cultural values and promote community well-being.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
2026-2027 Catalog Year
| Requirement | Minimum Grade | Credit Hours |
|---|
| Requirement | Minimum Grade | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in American Indian Nation governance requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper-division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the certificate requirements. |
||
|
AIS 285 Federal Indian Policy
(CIVI)
3 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
AIS 330 Tribal Sovereignty and U.S. Courts
(CIVI)
3 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
9 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
|
C | 9 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
||
|
Not all courses are available every term. Students should consult Class Search prior to each term to confirm course availability. Minimum
Grade:
|
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
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:
- Understand the role of government, governance, and key legal frameworks affecting Native American Nations.
- Evaluate a contemporary issue in tribal governance through course projects.
Graduates are prepared to lead and collaborate with Native nations, tribal organizations and public agencies. They are equipped for meaningful careers in tribal government, public policy, community development and education, with the skills to advance Indigenous governance and support community priorities in a wide variety of professional settings.
Graduates have the expertise to navigate the intersections of law, policy and Indigenous governance --- skills valued by tribal nations, federal and state agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
American Indian Studies Program
and
School of Politics and Global Studies
|
DISCVRY 356
AIS@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.
