BA/MA Shared Credit Degree

BA TO MA SHARED CREDIT DEGREE IN NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES

THE PROGRAM

The BA to MA Shared Credit degree program in Native American Studies is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate NAS majors to complete a B.A. and M.A. in approximately five years. To accomplish this, five courses, or 15 credit hours, are counted towards both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, which then reduces the time to complete the NAS M.A. by one academic year.

Native American Studies BA students must complete 120 undergraduate credit hours along with other graduation requirements and the MA in NAS degree requires 30 credit hours. Students do not start the MA degree program officially until their BA is completed and further instructions will be given. However, in the BA/MA Shared Credit program, NAS students can complete the following 15 credit hours that will count towards both BA and MA degrees as long as they earn a grade of “B” or better for the following courses:

  • NATV 474, Seminar: Applying Traditions of Native American Philosophy, 3 credits
  • NATV 550, Indigenous Nations and Sustainable Communities Seminar, 3 credits
  • NATV 555, Native American Policy and Community Building, 3 credits
  • NATV 560, Research Method and Practice in Indigenous Scholarship, 3 credits
  • NATV Focus Elective, Select 1 NATV MA Focus course, 3 credits.

This program is great for those considering attending the MA in Native American Studies program as well as for any NAS major who wishes to continue their education in Native American Studies past the undergraduate level.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Students must be admitted to the B.A. in Native American Studies (cannot be in pre-Major status).
  • The following B.A. course requirement must still need to be completed: NATV 474: Seminar: Applying Traditions in Native American Philosophy.
  • Students must be currently taking or have already successfully completed NATV 300: Research Methods in Indigenous Contexts, with a “C” or better.
  • Students must be designated at senior level status, or be within 30 credit hours of graduating by the time they start the shared credit program.
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 at the time of application to the shared credit program.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

  • Upload a Letter of Intent (3-5 pages) that addresses your educational goals, professional plans, and interest in the Shared Credit program. Describe your background in Native American Studies or Indigenous communities.
  • Upload a Writing Sample (10-15 pages) of original work that is academic, technical, professional, or artistic in nature (e.g., research paper, article, thesis, film, manuscript, reports, briefings).
  • Upload a copy of your latest Resume or CV.
  • 3 References. Academic references are strongly encouraged.

Applications for Fall 2027 admission are due by January 29, 2027. Click here to be taken to the Fall 2027 BA/MA Shared Credit Application.

FUNDING

Students in this program will be eligible for one year of departmental funding while completing their BA degree. Until students receive their BA in NAS, students will continue to have undergraduate status, therefore will continue to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships.