Native American Studies
As an interdisciplinary academic department, NAS is committed to Indigenous academic scholarship and research excellence. NAS offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Arts (M.A.), a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), an Accelerated Online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and a minor degree at the University of New Mexico.
Our goal is excellence in educating all students and the public about the Native experience of Indigenous peoples with significant attention given our complex history and intercultural heritage of New Mexico and the United States.
Another goal is to create a department that collaborates with Native communities and engages students in Nation building.
Curriculum Philosophy
- Interdisciplinary approach
- Academic component - classroom instruction by Native American faculty, internships, independent study
- Research component - experiential activity woven into coursework
- Applied degree - community-based and service learning
- Degree potential in communities and multiple professional settings
- Philosophical focus in Self-Determination and Indigenous pedagogy
Native American Studies Degree Skill Base
- Research skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Leadership development and community building
- Baseline knowledge of Indigenous issues valuable to Native communities, leadership, and governmental agencies
NAS Graduates Professional Pursuits
- UNM Graduate degree programs: M.A. in NAS, Public Administration, Law School, Community and Regional Planning, American Studies, Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies, Sociology, Community Health, Communication, Journalism, Museum Studies, Water Resources, Counseling, and Educational Leadership
- Native American community-based non-profits
- Tribal, state, and federal agencies
- Indigenous education
UNM Land Acknowledgement Statement
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history.
