MS American Indian Studies (Tribal Leadership and Governance) at Arizona State University

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.

Faculty: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  |  Department: American Indian Studies Program  |  Duration: 30 credit hours  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

30 credit hours and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (AIS 593) Required Core (6 credit hours) AIS 501 Foundations of American Indian and Indigenous Studies (3) AIS 514 Indigenous Thinkers and Intellectual Traditions (3) Methods Requirement (3 credit hours) AIS 525 Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies (3) or AIS 535 Indigenous Participatory Action Research (3) Concentration (9 credit hours) Electives (6 or 9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) AIS 593 Practicum (3) or AIS 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information As a culminating experience, students must complete a thesis or an applied project.

Career pathways

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.

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