American Indian Studies (Visual and Oral Culture), MS

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  3. American Indian Studies (Visual and Oral Culture)



ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.


Program Description

Degree Awarded: MS American Indian Studies (Visual and Oral Culture)

The Master of Science program in American Indian studies with a concentration in visual and oral culture is a transdisciplinary program that provides students with an intellectual and practical understanding of the issues facing American Indian populations, and the ability to apply that knowledge.

Students gain problem-solving skills in a range of professional arenas, including governmental, private and nonprofit agencies. The program focuses on the languages, cultures, arts, activism, histories, legal policy and education from an American Indian studies perspective. Delivery is through in-person courses.

The visual and oral culture concentration explores and contributes to American Indian culture and history as it exists in visual, material and written forms through creative writing, literature, poetry, film, photography, performing arts, digital arts, oral tradition, history and communication from an American Indian studies paradigm.


At a Glance: program details
  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (AIS 593)
  • 30 credit hours and a thesis

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 (6 or 9 credit hours)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
AIS 593 Applied Project (3) or
AIS 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
As a culminating experience, students must complete a thesis or an applied project. The choice between the two typically depends on the student's career goals and interests. A thesis is primarily research-oriented, and involves formulating a research question, conducting a literature review, and employing rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data. A thesis aims to demonstrate the student's ability to conduct independent research and provide insights that advance academic knowledge and can serve as a stepping stone for further academic pursuits, such as a Doctor of Philosophy. An applied project is just as rigorous as a thesis but more practice-oriented and designed to solve real-world problems or address specific issues within a community, organization or field. It emphasizes the practical application of knowledge rather than purely theoretical research. Applied projects often focus on improving practices, policies or programs within a particular setting.

Admission Requirements

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

Applicants must 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 a 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 a 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. personal essay
  4. writing sample
  5. 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.

The personal essay should be three to four pages that indicate the applicant's prior research experience and training, professional goals and research interests, and the fit between their interests and the program's emphases, requirements, current faculty, and coursework.

The writing sample should be 12 to 15 pages and can include a relevant policy paper or report, or a research paper for an academic course.


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Career Opportunities

After completing the program, many graduates:

  • conduct academic research
  • curate and produce Indigenous festivals and events
  • direct or manage Indigenous art companies, studios or dance-related organizations
  • facilitate community partnerships and projects with Indigenous communities

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.

  • [email protected]
  • 480/965-3634


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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