B.A. Applied Indigenous Studies (extended major)

 To earn this degree, you must complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:  

• at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements.  Be aware that you may not use courses with an AIS prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.  

• at least 54-55 units of major requirements  

• at least 16 units of language requirements  

• elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units  

Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take.  Check the courses in the appropriate subject.

Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in U.S. ethnic diversity and one in global diversity awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.

Also be aware  that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).  

Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.  

Major Requirements  

You must take at least the following 54-55 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• required core courses: AIS 101, 201, 202, 210, 304, 350, 404, and 408 (24 units)  

• AIS 301W, which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (3 units)  

• one of the following, chosen with your advisor’s approval: ECO 201, CCJ 355, COM 305, JLS 440C, NUR 390, POS 303, PSY 230, PAS 355, SOC 355W and 365, STA 270, and CTE 340W (3-4 units)  

• AIS 490C, which meets NAU’s senior capstone requirement (3 units)  

• 21 units in one of the following cross-disciplinary emphases  

Applied Indigenous Cultural Resource Management Emphasis

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:

• AIS 232 (3 units)

• AIS 290 (3 units)

• 15 units from ANT 102, 250, 351, 359W, 365, 459, and 460 (22 units)

Applied Indigenous Economic Development Emphasis  

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• ECO 284, 285, 325, and 425 (12 units)  

• ACC 255, FIN 303, and MGT 303 (9 units)  

Applied Indigenous Environmental Management Emphasis  

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• AIS 290, ECO 325, ENV 181 and POS 359 (12 units)  

• 9 units from AIS 320 or POS 320, PL 302 or 402W, POS 224, 250, 344, or 345

Applied Indigenous Environmental Science Emphasis  

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• AIS 380 (3 units)

• AIS 290 (3 units)

• 9 units from ENV 181, 230, 280, or 385W

• FOR 230 (3 units)  

• POS 359 (3 units)  

Applied Indigenous Knowledge Emphasis  

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• FOR 230, 270, and 370; and AIS 450 and 470 (15 units)

• 6 units from AIs 290, FOR 222, 240, 380, and 382; PL 302; POS 344 and 359; and REL 380 and 391

Applied Indigenous Policy Administration Emphasis  

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• AIS 320; POS 224, 241, and 250; and ECO 425 (15 units)  

• PL 201 or PR 272 (3 units)  

• 3 units from AIs 290, POS 316, 317, 325, 326, 344, 345, 359, or 455; and CCJ 101 or 415  

Applied Indigenous Politics and Movements Emphasis  

For this emphasis, you take the following 21 units with a grade of C or better in each course:  

• AIS 290, PL 302, POS 359, and ECO 325 (12 units)  

• 9 units from PL 306, POS 320 or AIS 320, and POS 250, 314, 344, 356, 361, 455, and 480  

Language Requirement  

You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP exams arranged by Center for Business Outreach.

Because these courses are available at NAU, we suggest that you fulfill this requirement with either Navajo or Spanish, depending on your career aspirations.  

General Electives  

Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.  

You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Click here for more information about our Applied Indigenous Studies Courses and Faculty.