collageProgram Overview
The University of New Mexico is pleased to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies (NAS) with a concentration in Leadership and Building Native Nations. The BA of Native American Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to introduce students to the basic factors which underlie the distinct differences between Native societies and the larger American society. In addition, the degree provides students with the opportunity to examine the differences which continue to exist between Native and non-Native societies through multi-contextual learning activities which include experiential or service learning opportunities.
NAS Graduates Professional Pursuits and Career Paths
- Graduate School: Native American/American Indian studies, public administration, law school, water resources, community & regional planning, American studies, sociology, museum studies, journalism, language, literacy, and sociocultural studies
- Native American community-based nonprofits
- Tribal, state, and federal agencies
- Native American education
Program Details
The Native American Studies (NAS) Bachelor of Arts (BA) Managed Online Program offers all of the courses associated with the major requirements needed to complete the BA (with a concentration in Leadership and Building Native Nations) in an online, eight-week format. Students who have already completed a majority of UNM’s General Education requirements, as well as college and minor requirements; have an associate’s degree; or at least 60-70 transferable college-level credit hours are ideally positioned for transition into this online BA program.
The major requirements for completing the BA degree in Native American Studies total 36 credit hours. Additional requirements for completing the degree are outlined in the Degree Requirements tab. For additional inquiries regarding degree requirements, contact Catherine Montoya (Diné), NAS Senior Student Success Specialist, (505) 277-3715 or cnm@unm.edu. Additional advisement information can also be found on the NAS undergraduate advisement webpage.
Special course sections are scheduled for Managed Online Program students and offered on a cyclical basis. Look for the courses in the current schedule of classes with a course comment that reads “Limited to managed online program students only.” Below is a listing of all of the required courses for the program.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| NATV 1150* | Introduction to Native American Studies | 3 |
| NATV 2110* | Sociopolitical Concepts in Native America | 3 |
| NATV 2140 | Research Issues in Native America | 3 |
| NATV 300* | Research Methods in Native American Contexts | 3 |
NATV 305* | Indigenous Self-Determination in Education | 3 |
| NATV 325* | Tribal Government | 3 |
| NATV 326* | Tribal Gaming | 3 |
| NATV 351 or NATV 352 | Individual Study or Internship | 3 |
| NATV 424 | Principles of Leadership in Indigenous Contexts | 3 |
| NATV 436* | Environmental Ethics and Justice in Native America | 3 |
| NATV 474* | Seminar: Applying Traditions of Native American Philosophy | 3 |
| NATV 480* | Building Native Nations: Community Revitalization, Culture, Decolonization, and Indigenous Thought | 3 |
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Native American Studies (NAS) Managed Online Program is designed to give students a relatively broad background while allowing concentrated study in the area of Leadership and Building Native Nations (LBNN).
To graduate with a BA degree in Native American Studies, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. UNM requires 31 credit hours distributed between seven areas to complete the UNM General Education Curriculum. The university also requires completion of a 3 credit hour U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirement. Students may transfer course work from other accredited institutions to fulfill these requirements. The NAS Managed Online Program is ideal for students who have completed an associate’s degree or have at least 60-70 transferable college-level credit hours. See program details for more information.
The College of Arts and Sciences requires a minimum of 90 credit hours taught within its departments and 48 credit hours at the upper division level. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences must declare a major and a minor, or two majors, or a special curricula approved by the College. Half of the major must be completed at the University of New Mexico. A quarter of the minor must be completed at the University of New Mexico.
For individuals seeking a second bachelor’s degree in NAS, the coursework will focus on fulfilling the NAS major requirements and the accompanying requirements required for a minor. UNM requires a minimum of 30 new hours for a second award.
To earn an undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico, the following requirements must be met:
- A minimum 30 hours of coursework completed at UNM (UNM Residency Requirement)
- 50% of the Major completed at UNM
- 25% of the Minor completed at UNM
Admission into NAS Major
Once admitted into the University of New Mexico, all students seeking to declare a major within the College of Arts and Sciences will first be admitted as a Pre-major. Pre-major status applies to students who must satisfy prerequisites or meet department conditions before transitioning to Major status. The following are the general requirements to transition into a major:
- A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation
- A UNM GPA of 2.0 or better
- Demonstrated academic achievement by satisfying the following University General Education areas with a grade of “C” or better:
- Completion of Writing and Speaking: ENGL 1120 and one additional Writing and Speaking course
- Completion of Mathematics
- Completion of Second Language
- Completion of the following NATV courses:
- NATV 1150 – Introduction to Native American Studies
- NATV 2110 – Sociopolitical Concepts in Native America
Students in the BA NAS Managed Online Program must maintain a Major GPA of 2.5 or higher to graduate.
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