Major

Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies 

Requirements

A Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies is designed to give students a relatively broad background while allowing concentrated study in one of the two areas of concentration:  Leadership and Building Native Nations (LBNN) or Indigenous Learning Communities (ILC).  Students declare either a NAS major and minor when they apply to the University or when they meet with the NAS Senior Student Success Specialist, who will review your degree plan to prepare for graduation.  The student is solely responsible for being familiar with their Lobotrax Degree Audit and completing all graduation requirements.

A Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies from the College of Arts & Sciences is awarded upon completion or accomplishment of the following:

  • A total of 120 acceptable credit hours to graduate
  • A total of 48 Upper Division credit hours
  • A total of 90 hours taught by Arts & Sciences
  • A completion of UNM General Education
  • 36 credit hours of NAS major degree
  • 18-24 credit hours of a selected minor degree
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 as defined in the Graduation Requirements section of the UNM Catalog and a major specific cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater.

All graduation degree requirements are noted in the UNM Catalog (Programs > Native American Studies) and available to view in your Lobotrax Degree Audit (MY.UNM.EDU > LoboWeb > Student Tab > Registration & Records > Submit or View LOBO Trax degree audits).

BA in Native American Studies

Admission into NAS Major

To be officially admitted into the Native American Studies major, must meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of General Education Curriculum: Communication, which includes ENGL 1120 and one additional Writing & Speaking Course Required (with a grade of C or better)
  • Completion of General Education Curriculum: Mathematics & Statistics (with a grade of C or better)
  • Completion of General Education Curriculum: Second Language
  • Completion of NATV 1150 and NATV 2110 (with a grade of C or better)

Major Requirements

  • 18 credit hours of NAS Major Required Core Courses
    • NATV 1150 . Introduction to Native American Studies
    • NATV 2110 . Sociopolitical Concepts in Native America
    • NATV 2140 . Research Issues in Native America, pre- or corequisite is NATV 1150 or 2110
    • NATV 300 . Research Methods in Native American Contexts, pre-req is NATV 2140
    • NATV 351 . Individual Study, pre-req is NATV 300  OR  NATV 352 . Internship
    • NATV 474 . Seminar: Applying Traditions of Native American Philosophy
  • 12 credit hours of Required NAS concentration:
    • Leadership and Building Native Nations courses
    • Indigenous Learning Communities courses
  • 6 credit hours of NAS Upper Division courses (NATV 300 or 400 level)
  • TOTAL = 36 credit hours
  • Select a minor degree (18-24 credit hours) or double major

NATV Major Required Core Courses

NATV 1150 . Introduction to Native American Studies. (3)
This course surveys the significance of Native American Studies through an inter-disciplinary approach to two areas of academic concentration: Indigenous Learning Communities, and Leadership and Building Native Nations.

NATV 2110 . Sociopolitical Concepts in Native America. (3)
Regional, national, and international laws and policies impacting sovereign Native American nations and communities are analyzed. Concepts such as colonization, nationalism, and globalization’s impact on Native American peoples are considered from an interdisciplinary perspective.

NATV 2140 . Research Issues in Native America. (3)
Critically examines research theories, methodologies, and practices used by academic disciplines to study Native Americans. Research databases and collections and their impact and value for Native communities are considered from an inter-disciplinary perspective. Pre- or corequisite: 1150 or 2110.

NATV 300 . Research Methods in Native American Contexts. (3)
Examination of the research processes and techniques involving various methodological designs. Emphasizes attention to culturally appropriate research and protocols for conducting research in Native communities. Includes practical experience conducting a research project involving Native American issues.  Prerequisite: NATV 2140.

NATV 351 . Individual Study (1-6) 
Directed topics related to Native American Studies.

NATV 351 Individual Study Guidelines
This course is restricted to NATV majors and minors and the permission of the instructor is required before registering. Directed study of Native American Studies topics of personal interest by the student. Student must approach the NAS Faculty the semester before enrollment to develop a plan of study. A formal presentation and paper are required.
Prerequisite: 300. 

Download NATV 351 Individual Study Guidelines (PDF)

NATV 352 . Internship (1-6) 
Internships in off-campus learning experiences related to the study of Native American cultures. Students, in collaboration with NAS Faculty, may select a sponsoring institution or program to oversee internship.  A formal presentation is required.

Download NATV Undergraduate Internship GUIDELINES (pdf)

Download NATV Undergraduate Internship EVALUATION (pdf)

NATV 474 . Seminar: Applying Traditions of Native American Philosophy. (3)
An examination of philosophical thought by Native peoples in both historic and modern context in science, government, law, education, psychology, and cosmology. Native social systems and Native philosophical contributions to the world’s societies are examined.

For further information please see the current UNM Catalog.

2nd Major (BA) in Native American Studies

To add NAS as a 2nd major, contact your major advisor.

Native American Studies may be added as a 2nd major beginning with the Fall 2022 catalog year. To complete a 2nd major in NAS, students will complete 30 credit hours of NAS coursework:

  • NATV 1150, Introduction to Native American Studies
  • NATV 2110, Sociopolitical Concepts in Native America
  • NATV 2140, Research Issues in Native America, pre- or corequisite is 1150 or 2110
  • NATV 300, Research Methods in Native American Contexts, pre-req is 2140
  • NATV 351, Individual Study, pre-req is 300 OR NATV 352, Internship
  • NATV 474, Seminar: Applying Traditions of Native American Philosophy
  • Select 12 credit hours of required NAS concentration:
    • Leadership & Building Native Nations (LBNN) courses
    • Indigenous Learning Communities (ILC) courses.

NAS Departmental Honors

Students who have earned a 3.90 GPA in Native American Studies coursework graduate with summa cum laude departmental honors. Students who have earned a 3.75 GPA in Native American Studies coursework graduate with magna cum laude departmental honors. A notation of honors is made on the student's academic record.

Eligibility for the departmental honors program is automatically considered, thus no application is necessary.