Prospective Students

Apply for Fall 2025 Admission:

- December 2, 2024 for the NAS Ph.D. program
- January 31, 2025 for the NAS M.A. program


Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Native American Studies graduate degree programs - Master of Arts (M.A.) in NAS and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in NAS.

 

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Native American Studies
Focus in Indigenous Leadership, Self-Determination, and Sustainable Community Building

The M.A. in Native American Studies is targeted towards students who hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in NAS or in a NAS-related program. The M.A. prepares students for positions in tribal leadership, leadership in tribal and/or community-based organizations, and positions related to educational outreach and training, social and cultural program development, policy development, and sustainable community building. 

To apply to the M.A. in NAS program go to GRAD.UNM.EDU:

  • Eligibility Requirement: have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or its equivalent in the last two (2) undergraduate years in your major field
  • Submit an online graduate application and pay the fee
  • Submit official transcripts to the UNM Admissions Office (admissions.unm.edu)
  • Upload a Letter of Intent (3-5 pages) that addresses educational goals, professional plans, interest in the M.A. degree program, and background in NAS or Indigenous communities
  • Upload a Writing Sample (10-15 pages) of original work that is academic, technical, professional, or artistic in nature (i.e. research paper, article, thesis, film, manuscript, reports, briefings)
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation.  Academic letters are strongly encouraged.
  • Upload a copy of your latest resume or CV
 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Native American Studies
Areas covered include Critical Indigenous Thought; Sustainable Community Building; and Comparative Studies in Indigenous Government, Policy, Identity, and Sustainability

The Ph.D. in Native American Studies is targeted towards students who hold a B.A. and M.A. in NAS or in a NAS-related program. The doctoral program prepare students for positions in teaching, research, tribal leadership, leadership of tribal organizations, leadership of community based organizations, positions related to educational outreach and training, social and cultural program development, policy development and analysts, and sustainable community building.

To apply to the Ph.D. in NAS program go to GRAD.UNM.EDU:

  • Eligibility Requirement: have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 at the Master's degree level
  • Completed Bachelor's, Master's, or Juris Doctorate degree by start of Ph.D. program
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable
  • Submit an online graduate application and pay the fee
  • Upload a Personal Statement (3-5 pages) that addresses educational goals, professional plans, interest in the Ph.D. program, and background in NAS or Indigenous communities
  • Upload one Writing Sample (10-15 pages) of original work
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation. Academic letters are strongly encouraged
  • Upload a copy of your latest resume or CV.

Interest in Graduate Studies in NAS

For current UNM students, schedule an appointment with the Student and Graduate Services Coordinator, Kyle Harvey, through Loboachieve.unm.edu or email kyleharvey@unm.edu. For other students interested in the M.A. or Ph.D. programs, please call 505.277.3715.


Graduate Faculty Director

The Graduate Faculty Director, Dr. Myla Vicenti Carpio, meets with students to determine their Plan of Study once a student is admitted to the M.A. or Ph.D. programs in Native American Studies.  Dr. Vicenti Carpio is also available for questions about the NAS graduate degree programs:  mvicentic@unm.edu.

Meet NAS M.A. Alumni

Meet M.A. students from our first cohort who graduated during the 2019-2020 academic year:  2020 Native American Studies Convocation Recognition.

Learn about the Projects of Excellence by our second cohort who graduated May 2021: Projects of Excellence.

Resources

  • Office of Graduate Studies - GRAD.UNM.EDU
    • Wealth of resources available to new and current graduate students
    • Submit your Admission application through their website
    • Application Guidelines available
    • Funding opportunities and other information available
  • Graduate Resource Center (GRC) - UNMGRC.UNM.EDU
    • Support services
    • Workshops
    • Resources and helpful links available