American Indian Studies

Why American Indian Studies?

We teach the skills that employers want. A comprehensive liberal arts education, teaching critical thinking, writing, and research skills, is more important today than ever. Our goals for students are that they learn to carefully apply knowledge in complex, differing situations, and are prepared for lifelong careers of learning, thinking, and listening to a variety of perspectives.

Knowledge of indigenous societies should be part of any American and Canadian curriculum, not only because without it, an understanding of these nations' history is impossible, but also because aboriginal nations will play an increasingly important role in North American societies. The department has created a curriculum that serves both, majors and minors and also students - undergraduates as well as graduate students - from other departments who want to gain specific knowledge about how their fields relate to indigenous peoples and their situations. Many of the faculty are also members of the graduate faculty and can advise and teach graduate students in other disciplines who are working on specific American Indian-related research.

We have high academic standards. Because we are a small department, we can make time to regularly meet with students individually to help them reach their goals.

If you would like to know more about the Department of History and American Indian Studies, our degree programs, or our courses, please contact us directly.

Program Information

The University of North Dakota Department of American Indian Studies is the only academic unit in the North Dakota University System offering a Bachelor's degree in American Indian / Native American Studies.

Undergraduate Minors & Certificates

• Minor in American Indian Studies
• Supplement a degree with a minor in American Indian Studies by understanding the culture, perspectives and history of Indigenous peoples.
• Native Health & the Humanities Certificate
• Earn a Native Health & The Humanities certificate and improve healthcare diversity, equity and inclusion. Learn through the lens of history and culture, while honing research, analysis and communication skills in the health humanities field.