Northern Arizona University
Applied Indigenous Studies
January 28, 2000
Northern Arizona University
Applied Indigenous Studies
January 28, 2000
A newly created undergraduate academic program is scheduled to be implemented in Fall 2000 at Northern Arizona University. Three years in the making, the Applied Indigenous Studies (AIS) program will offer students a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree, fashioned to provide well trained professionals in critical areas in which Indian nations and tribes are currently looking for assistance so they can achieve self-sufficiency.
The Applied Indigenous Studies program development has been coordinated with the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, supported by the Intertribal Council of Arizona and the NAU Institute for Native American Advisory Board, and approved by the NAU University Curriculum Committee and the Arizona Board of Regents.
B.S. in Applied Indigenous Studies
Major
requirements total 45 credit hours, consisting of 27 credit hours of
specified AIS courses; one 3-hour research methods course to be chosen
with advisor approval; and 15 credit hours of electives from a menu
of options.
Minor/Certificate
requirements will vary between 18 and 27 credit hours. Three
AIS certificate options are currently developed for environmental resource
studies, policy analysis and administration, and economic development;
two more, in education and health, are under construction. The student
is encouraged to take one of these professionally oriented certificate
options, but may also choose another minor in the university.
B.A. in Applied Indigenous Studies
Major
requirements total 42 credit hours, distributed generally as with the
B.S.; plus 16 credit hours of language requirement.
Minor/Certificate
requirements will vary between 18-27 credit hours and are the same
as the B.S. degree requirements.
In both the B.S. and BA program, there is a third-year research/writing seminar; and a fourth year capstone internship experience, designed to introduce the student to post-graduation work with an agency in the student's field of interest.
A major
goal of the AIS program is to allow tribal governments to gain access to
graduates who are well prepared to assume roles on the reservation that
demand technical skills, general education and knowledge of tribal traditions,
conditions, and issues. In addition, many corporations in the region
will be able to hire graduates who are both professionally skilled and
well versed in tribal issues.
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College of Arts and Science - History PO Box 6023 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 520.523.6203 Curtis.Hinsley@nau.edu |
College of Business Administration - Economics PO Box 15066 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 520.523.7396 Dean.Smith@nau.edu |