American Indian Studies, BS
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Additional Program Fee: No
- Second Language Requirement: No
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Math Intensity:
General
- Initial Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
Required Courses (Major Map)
Program Description
The BS program in American Indian studies emphasizes the latest research impacting Indigenous communities. Grounded in traditional knowledge and perspectives, the program is committed to highlighting the histories, languages, cultures, arts and contemporary challenges facing American Indian and Indigenous nations and peoples.
Students learn how to project and strengthen Indigenous communities across the U.S. and explore law and policy, colonization and decolonization, nation-building and more, developing career-readiness skills such as critical and creative thinking and reasoning.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Admission Requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman Transfer International Readmission
Transfer Options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.
Change of Major Requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
American Indian Studies (Tribal Leadership and Governance)
Website | Locations: TEMPE
American Indian Studies (Indigenous Rights and Social Justice)
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
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Career Outlook
Graduates of the American Indian studies program are qualified to fill positions at the tribal, state and federal government levels and in the private sector. They can pursue professional careers in fields such as government service or public service. For example, federally and tribally operated schools located in remote areas within Indian Country have high turnover rates for both teachers and staff. American Indian studies graduates should be available to help fill these positions. Furthermore, the federal government, a major employer on many reservations across the country, is in need of qualified people who are knowledgeable about Indian cultures, laws and policies. Additionally, many American Indian nations' economies and infrastructures are developing at a rapid pace, and they have a continuous need to fill mid-management and management-level positions.
Graduates find positions in many areas, such as:
- the arts
- community action work
- public administration (tribal or state relations, nonprofit management, education administration, planning)
- public health
- tribal employment (political office, tribal management, cultural resource programming, grant writing, cultural specializations, youth services)
This program also provides suitable preparation for advancing to graduate study or law school.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
Social and Human Service Assistants
- Growth: 8.6%
- Median Salary*: 38520
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: 80910
General and Operations Managers
- Growth: 4.2%
- Median Salary*: 98100
Curators
- Growth: 11.1%
- Median Salary*: 60380
Legislators
- Growth: 3.4%
- Median Salary*: 48090
Recreation Workers
- Growth: 4.6%
- Median Salary*: 31680
Security Managers
- Growth: 4.6%
- Median Salary*: 99030
Social and Community Service Managers
- Growth: 9.1%
- Median Salary*: 74240
Travel Guides
- Growth: 8.1%
- Median Salary*: 34440
Tutors
- Growth: 3.3%
- Median Salary*: 36680
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
Through study abroad, students can connect with Indigenous cultures around the world and expand the lens through which they view North American Indigenous populations. They can learn alongside peers from other countries and develop professional skills that include teamwork and cross-cultural communication. Students can stay on track academically by completing courses while they are in one of more than 300 Global Education programs.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- AIS@asu.edu
- 480/965-3634