Native American Studies (B.A.)

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34 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

The general major requires 34 hours, including 19 hours of required core courses. Beyond the required core courses, students must complete 15 hours of electives from LAKL and/or NATV, of which at least nine hours must be at the upper-division level (300-400) or students may elect a Native American Studies major with a specialization in Lakota Studies.

Departmental Requirements (19 hours)

Select 15 hours of LAKL/NATV electives or a 15 hour specialization

Major electives (15 hours)

In addition to the core requirements, students select at least 15 hours of NATV or LAKL courses.

At least 9 hours must be at the upper-division level (300-400).

Lakota Studies Specialization (Optional) 15 hours

Native American Studies Major with a Lakota Studies Specialization (34 hours)

For this specialization, in addition to the core requirements, students must take the following Native American Studies courses:

Native American Studies Double Major (28 hours)

See Native Studies Double Major for program requirements.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will connect ideas and experiences in order to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus.
Students will intentionally engage with diversity in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.
Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgements, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will interpret, assess, and research scholarly and creative sources in the field of Native American Studies to demonstrate verbal and written communication skills.
Students will examine and investigate how historic and contemporary colonial and U.S. policies shape and impact tribal sovereignty, governance, education, and self-determination.
Students will develop meaningful interactions, professional and leadership skills through attending, participating, and/or interning with campus programs and/or Native-serving organizations.
Students will recognize, discuss, and integrate Indigenous worldviews and pedagogies within multiple learning environments.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization