The degree program provides students with aesthetic and historical knowledge of American Indian culture.

Degree Benefits:

  • Numerous vocational opportunities, with Survey Researchers generating an annual income of $59,870*
  • 4% job growth rate for Survey Researchers*

Career Options Include:

  • Researcher
  • Business Manager
  • Researcher
  • Advocate

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Survey Researchers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/survey-researchers.htm (visited March 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It is possible to earn a American Indian Studies bachelor's degree online in less than the four years traditionally required in a brick and mortar school, as the student may take classes year-round. For the student balancing work and/or family obligations, it may take longer. One of the advantages of earning an online degree is that the student may work at his or her own pace. However, you should be aware that some rigorous programs or majors may require you to complete your degree within a certain time frame from the start of your courses. You should check with the department your major falls under and ask if they have any such requirement.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


In general, you can begin your career as an American Indian Studies by earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in American Indian Studies, but in many cases for the position you are seeking you may need to obtain a master's degree in American Indian Studies. Furthermore, there are numerous specializations and subfields associated with a major in American Indian Studies. You will want to research the college or university to determine if they have the major you are considering.


This is a very important question to ask yourself. Your major should play a big part in the schools you are considering. Not every college may offer the major of your choice, so doing your homework is the first step of the selection process.

The two most prominent types of bachelor levels in American Indian Studies are: Bachelor of Arts degree (BA degree) and a Bachelor of Science degree (BS degree). A BA degree normally requires pupils to take fewer concentration courses as well as to focus more on discovering about American Indian Studies. These students have a little bit more flexibility when it pertains to customizing their education to meet their occupation objectives as well as goals.


The Bachelor of Science degree in American Indian Studies, on the other hand, is much less concentrated on exploration and even more targeted to a specific focus. Bachelor of Science students, usually, focus specifically on the area of their major and have a tendency to be more career focused. Bachelor's degrees in the clinical field, for example, are most likely to be a Bachelor of Science degree. You can find some sample classes for a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies below:

  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge
  • Dynamics of Indian Societies
  • Ethnology of the Southwest
  • American Indians and the Urban Experience
  • Contemporary Indian America
  • Southwest Land and Society
  • Ethnology North America
  • Anthropology of Rural Mexico
  • Studies in Southwest Literature
  • Native Economic Development
  • Principles of Indigenous Economics
  • Mexican Traditional Medicine: An Overview of Indigenous Curing Cultures
  • Natural Resource Management in Native Communities
  • Studies in American Indian Literature
  • American Indian Law and Policy

Currently, students enrolled in four-year universities have less than a 50% chance of graduating within four years. Statistics vary from university to university, but many students are graduating closer to the 6-year range.


If you want to be one of the lucky 40% who do graduate in your fourth year, you'll need to make a few sacrifices. First, you'll have to take more than the minimum 12 credit hours per semester. Take 15 credits per semester, because you'll finish earning the required credits in around four years.


Go to school each summer session. Take at least one class per summer semester. Not only will you be sure to graduate on time, but you may also benefit with lower per-credit tuition charges, as well.


Declare a major as soon as you can. You won't be moving from major to major this way. If you have to work for gas or rent, work for the fewest number of hours per week that you can. Your studies are vital.

Accreditation is a very important facet of your career since, if the college you attend is accredited by a reputable association, the American Indian Studies degree you earn from that college will have more value and some employers include this information when evaluating you for employment.


The reason why accreditation is so important is that, without it, it's hard to determine what kind of standards the training programs hold and if they are up to date with technology and innovation.


A college gets accredited voluntarily by an association of their choice. The association will interview and inspect the college thoroughly to see if they meet their standards of everything from cleanliness to academics and, if the college passes the inspection, the association puts their stamp on them as an assurance that they meet all their requirements.


Employers today want only the best of the best working for them. Some businesses are even willing to pay for the education of potential candidates. So, when it comes to degrees, most employers look at the accreditor of the school you earned your degree from, since this says a lot about the kind of education you acquired. If an employer is willing to go so far as to pay for a student's education, imagine what kind of salary they will offer to those holding a degree from a highly reputable association.

When looking for a college program to attend, you need to look at all the potential advantages of a American Indian Studies program. Post-graduate job assistance should rank high on the list of important things to consider when selecting where you will enroll. A good job placement program, while it cannot guarantee you a position in American Indian Studies, will help you make sure you have the best classes and experiences under your belt. That way, you will have the best possible chance of getting the position you want. The time spent in school is a great time to prepare for your future career in American Indian Studies. That can begin with a great internship, referral, mentorship, or hire. Schools that offer extensive job placement and career assistance can help you get all those things and more.