American Indian Studies (Cultural Resource Revitalization and Sustainability), MS


At a Glance: program details

Your focus through this program on American Indian cultural and funerary patrimony will enable you to analyze policies and laws in culture revitalization and sustainability.

ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.


Program Description

Degree Awarded: MS American Indian Studies (Cultural Resource Revitalization and Sustainability)

This transdisciplinary MS program in American Indian studies provides students with an intellectual and practical understanding of the issues facing American Indian populations, and the ability to apply that knowledge.

Students acquire problem-solving skills that are useful in a range of professional arenas, including government, private and nonprofit agencies. The curriculum's focus is on languages, cultures, arts, activism, histories, legal policy and education from an American Indian studies paradigm perspective. Delivery is mainly through in-person courses.

Through the cultural resource revitalization and sustainability concentration, students explore the development and implementation of American Indian-focused cultural resource management processes and analyze how policies and laws can improve or hinder the protection of American Indian cultural and funerary patrimony.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 30 credit hours and a thesis
  • 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (AIS 580)

Required Core (9 credit hours)
AIS 501 American Indian Studies Paradigms (3)
AIS 502 American Indian Studies Research Methods (3)
AIS 503 Contemporary Issues of American Indian Nations (3)

Concentration (9 credit hours)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
AIS 580 Practicum (6) or
AIS 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students may select a thesis or nonthesis option. Thesis students are involved in a major research project under the direction of their faculty advisors, culminating in a thesis. Students should select this option if they have an interest in a research-oriented position within an organization or agency or wish to pursue a doctoral degree. Nonthesis students complete an applied project that identifies and addresses an applied problem or issue relevant to a partner agency or organization under the direction of their faculty advisors. Students should select this option if they are interested in a leadership or managerial-level position within an organization or agency.


Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university of recognized standing in a related field such as history, justice studies, sociology, ethnic studies, anthropology, political science or education.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.


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Career Opportunities

After leaving ASU, many graduates:

  • conduct research related to Indigenous culture revitalization
  • direct or manage Indigenous culture organizations or companies
  • facilitate Indigenous community partnerships and projects

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.