BA American Indian Studies at University of North Dakota

Programme overview

Explore the cultures and experiences of Indigenous peoples, and prepare to thrive in a diverse world. Build your skills as a critical thinker and effective communicator as you learn about the Native American experience. With an American Indian Studies degree, you’ll explore a variety of Indigenous perspectives and cultures, histories and contemporary experiences.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Duration: 4 years (120 credit hours) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (Aug. 15), Spring (Dec. 15), Summer (May 1) | Location: Grand Forks, ND, United States

What you will study

Requires 120 credits (36 of which must be numbered 300 or above, and 30 of which must be from UND), including Essential Studies and major courses. Required courses include IS 121 Introduction to American Indian Studies; IS 410 Indigenous Identities; IS 201 History of the Lakota; IS 203 History of the Ojibwe; IS 207 History of the Three Affiliated Tribes; IS 342 Native Environmental History.

Career pathways

A degree in American Indian Studies prepares you for any career that relies on strong communication skills and the ability to appreciate diverse cultural values and perspectives. Many of our students pair a major or minor in American Indian Studies with majors in the social and physical sciences. Roles include Law and Law Advocacy, Local, tribal, state and federal government, Counseling and social work, Public Health, Education, Business and entrepreneurship, Environmental sustainability.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide undergraduate admission (not specific to this major): complete 14 units of high school core courses (English 4, math 3 of Algebra I or above, lab science 3, social studies 3, plus 1 additional unit from those areas or a world language); a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher is recommended (3.25 for Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation); ACT/SAT scores are not required. Source: UND Freshmen admissions page.

Domestic applicants: USD 10,378 a year (2026-27). North Dakota resident rate. On-campus tuition for 2026/2027 as shown in the programme's tuition table (fall and spring semesters, rate band 'Other'); excludes mandatory student fees, housing and books. The same table lists Minnesota residents $11,624.40 a Source

International applicants: USD 20,757 a year (2026-27). International student rate. On-campus tuition for 2026/2027 as shown in the programme's tuition table (fall and spring semesters, rate band 'Other'); excludes mandatory student fees, housing and books. Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer. Applications are accepted up to one year before the start term.

Terms run Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May) and Summer (May-August).

First-year applicants: Fall priority deadline Feb. 1, Fall final deadline Aug. 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer May 1. The Feb. 1 priority deadline applies to automatic freshman scholarships. ACT/SAT scores are not required. Application fee $35 (non-refundable, no waivers), submitted through the UND admissions application.

Transfer applicants: Fall Aug. 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer May 1. Application fee $35 (non-refundable, no waivers).

Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation: applications for fall 2027 opened Aug. 1, 2026 and close Oct. 31, 2026; these degrees are not available on the Common App and require the UND application. Minimum unweighted high school GPA 3.25 (2.60 college GPA for transfers).

International undergraduate applicants (outside Canada): Fall June 15, Spring Nov. 15, Summer March 15. Canadian applicants and international students transferring from another US institution: Fall July 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer April 15. Application fee $35 (US funds), non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html

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