A Native Studies degree helps you understand Indigenous culture and explore careers in tribal administration, cultural preservation, advocacy, business, and more.
Drive meaningful change in Native communities with a Native Studies degree. This field, also known as Native American Studies or Indigenous Studies, invites you to deepen your knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences across the United States. As a graduate, you can advocate for tribal entities, work alongside Indigenous groups and individuals, and contribute as an ally in various roles.
Majoring in Native Studies isn’t only for Indigenous students—it’s for anyone passionate about supporting Indigenous rights, understanding diverse perspectives, and fostering change. Learn how this degree equips you with the tools to analyze complex social issues and honor the past while helping to create a better future for Native peoples and the communities around them.
What Is Native American Studies?
Native Studies, or Native American Studies, is an interdisciplinary field that explores both historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences. This degree integrates a wide range of subjects—linguistics (language), literature, music, visual arts, anthropology, religion, history, and more—providing a comprehensive view of Indigenous cultures and perspectives.
In a Native Studies degree program, students typically investigate:
- Contemporary Indigenous issues: Analyze challenges and opportunities within Indigenous communities, from health and economic equity to legal advocacy and education access.
- Cultural preservation and revitalization: Play a role in reviving languages, traditional practices, and Indigenous knowledge systems that strengthen community identity.
- Environmental justice and land rights: Examine approaches to safeguarding natural resources, preserving sacred sites, and advocating for sustainable land stewardship.
- Indigenous histories and oral traditions: Learn from the stories, values, and cultural expressions that shape Indigenous identity and community continuity.
- Tribal sovereignty and governance: Study Indigenous self-governance structures, their interactions with U.S. governmental systems, and current legal frameworks for tribal rights and autonomy.
What Can You Do With a Native Studies Degree?
Studying Native Studies at the college level equips you for jobs across fields that intersect with Indigenous communities, cultures, and needs. Here’s a look at some Native Studies career paths:
- Business: Engaging with Indigenous culture prepares you to enhance community engagement in industries like gaming, tourism, and heritage management.
- Education: Serve in schools, museums, and cultural centers, sharing Indigenous knowledge and fostering inclusive understanding.
- Energy projects, developments, and environmental consulting: Ensure all projects respect and protect Native lands, water resources, and cultural sites.
- Government and law: Pursue positions related to federal or state Indian Affairs or tribal law, working to shape policy, uphold Indigenous rights, and champion tribal governance.
- Public health and community outreach: Partner with Native leaders to promote health, address disparities, and raise awareness of local issues.
- Social work: Help Indigenous community members access resources and services for mental health, housing, and family support.
Key Skills From Earning a Native Studies Degree
A Native Studies degree does more than deepen cultural knowledge—it equips you with essential skills to empower communities, bridge diverse perspectives, and inspire meaningful change. These academic and extracurricular experiences are valuable in various fields, from legal advocacy to education.
- Community engagement: Learn to work directly with diverse communities in ways that honor their values, strengths, and needs.
- Cross-cultural communication: Build respectful connections across diverse groups.
- Critical analysis: Approach complex social issues with an informed, thoughtful perspective, recognizing historical contexts and current implications.
- Research methodology: Practice accurately conducting research and analyzing the results to draw actionable conclusions.
- Policy analysis: Gain insights into how laws and policies impact diverse groups.
Earn an Associate of Arts in Native Studies at San Juan College
San Juan College’s (SJC) Native Studies program is rooted in the rich culture of the Diné (Navajo Nation), whose ancestral homelands encompass our campus. Here, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Diné traditions, language, and customs.
We offer an Associate of Arts (AA) degree that you can complete in two years, and New Mexico residents can even graduate debt-free. SJC’s Native Studies program also prepares you to seamlessly transfer to a four-year institution. For example, our transfer agreement with Fort Lewis College means you can earn a bachelor’s degree in Native American and Indigenous Studies with two more years of study.
Our campus also hosts the Native American Center, which connects you with additional resources such as scholarships and tutoring, cultural trips, and other support you need to thrive.
Enroll in San Juan College’s AA Degree in Native Studies
Whether you envision a future in cultural preservation, advocacy, or community leadership, San Juan College’s Associate of Arts in Native Studies can be your first step toward making a meaningful impact.
