Native American Studies
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- Flexible online degree
- Local and regional tribal partnerships
- Immersive, real-world experience
Program Details
- Next Start Date
- August 14
- Est. Program Length
- 2-4 years
- Course Length
- 8 weeks
- Cost per Credit
- $306.84*
- Credit Hours
- 124
- Credits Accepted
- 94
*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $618.84 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees.
Request InfoMake a Positive Impact in Tribal Communities and Beyond
East Central University’s online B.A. in Native American Studies provides deep insight into the cultures and issues of contemporary Native American communities from a range of contexts and perspectives. It features interdisciplinary coursework, a real-world internship and partnerships with the local Choctaw and Chickasaw nations.
As a student, you will learn to work with and for tribal organizations through a combination of fully online coursework and hands-on learning opportunities. ECU Online faculty bring expertise in fields ranging from anthropology to law and environmental studies to the classroom, preparing you for success. The online format of the bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies program gives you the flexibility to take courses full- or part-time to balance work and life commitments.
After graduation, you will have the academic knowledge and applied science skills to pursue professional roles or graduate study in a wide range of fields. Earn your degree at a highly competitive tuition rate and transfer up to 94 credits to finish your online degree in as few as two years.
Topics of Study
ECU Online’s bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies offers a comprehensive curriculum that explores topic areas like:
- History
- Archeology
- Cultural anthropology
- Political science
- Business
- Legal studies
- Communications
- Human services
Learning Outcomes
By the time you graduate, you will be able to:
- Think critically, analyze information from a variety of sources and communicate clearly to solve problems.
- Utilize proven methods in applied social sciences.
- Work with and for tribal entities in a variety of contexts.
- Explain the role of native peoples in American history.
- Understand the public policymaking process.
- Engage with historical and contemporary Native American issues.
- Research relevant issues and effectively present your work.
- Understand the sociology of North American native cultures.
- Discuss the multiplicity of Native American cultures from a variety of academic perspectives.
Courses & Requirements
Our online B.A. in Native American Studies requires a total of 124 credit hours. Students must take 35 credit hours in general education and 54 major credits. In addition, 32 hours of electives are built into the curriculum and three hours of related work in political science is required. Students also complete an internship in cultural preservation, environmental work, tribal business, legislation or the humanities. Typically, students spend five to six hours per week on coursework.
ECU requires all students to take general education courses. For this program, nine general education hours (HIST 2523, PS 2113 and ANTH 2713) are counted toward the major.
- HIST 3233
- HIST 4123
- NAS 1113
- NAS 4113
- NAS 4223
- PS 3193
- SOC 3003
Indian in American History
3 Credits
A study of Indian life, culture and history with an emphasis on Indian-white relations and the impact of Federal Indian policy, 1789-present.
Five Southeastern Tribes
3 Credits
A study of the Five Southeastern tribes from pre-Columbian contact to the present with a focus on life, culture and history.
Introduction to Native American Studies
3 Credits
This course introduces students to the field of Native American studies, to historical and contemporary Indian issues, to potential career opportunities with Indian nations and helps prepare students for coursework in the Native American studies major and minor. The course includes guest presenters, films, lectures and discussions.
Research in Native American Studies
3 Credits
Prerequisite: 12 hours completed in the NAS program. Capstone seminar in Native American Studies. Students develop a research project on an issue in Native American studies and develop a written and oral presentation of their work.
Internship in Native American Studies
3 Credits
Prerequisite: 12 hours completed in the NAS program. Internship with an approved Native American program.
Tribal Politics
3 Credits
This course will survey tribal government and politics in the United States with a special emphasis on the intergovernmental relationships among tribal, local, state and federal governments.
Native American Sociology
3 Credits
In this class students will examine the sociology of (North American) Native American cultures. Topics and themes will explore the diversity of Native American cultures, their past and their place in current social contexts including cities.
- ANTH 4503
- ANTH 4981-4
- ANTH 4433
- WRPM 3003
Public Archaeology Field School
3 Credits
Prerequisites: 2003 and 3003. This course engages students in the practice of public archaeology on site.
Seminar in Cultural Resource Mgmt
3 Credits
Prerequisites: 2003 and 3003. This course engages students in the practice of cultural resource management with a community partner. Each year students work together as a team on a suitable project, creating a professional product.
Public Policy Making
3 Credits
An examination of various models of public policymaking, leading to the analysis of various problems confronting government. The course is concerned with interest groups that influence policymaking, the processes (governmental, institutional, and environmental) through which policies flow, the final conclusions of policymaking and the impact on Society.
Natural Resources and Policy
3 Credits
In this course, students examine natural resource policy and contemporary challenges from multiple perspectives. Special attention is paid to issues related to water.
- PS 2113
- Intro to Political Science
Admission Requirements
To be accepted into ECU’s B.A. in Native American Studies online degree program, you must meet the following criteria:
- If you are a transfer student, you must have completed 24 college credit hours with a retention GPA of 2.0 or higher. If you have fewer than 24 college credit hours, you will be required to submit your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores for consideration.
How to Apply
To apply, you must submit the following materials:
- Online application
- Official high school transcript or college transcript from an accredited institution
- ACT/SAT scores (optional)
Have a question about this program or the admission process? Request a digital brochure and get connected to one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 124 credit hours | $306.84* | $38,048.16 |
| Total with transfer credits (up to 94)** | $9,205.20 | ||
*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $618.84 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees.
**Note: Transfer students must have completed at least 24 credit hours.
Fees and tuition subject to change.
Financial Aid
At ECU Online, we strive to ensure your education is as affordable as possible. Learn more about your options for financing your education by visiting our Financial Aid page.
View Financial AidMilitary Benefits
East Central University is a proud military-friendly school. Discover how your status as a U.S. military veteran or active-duty service member can help you earn your degree by visiting our Military & Veterans page.
View Military BenefitsNative American Students
Eligible Native American students can find financial aid programs, heritage scholarships, grants, and academic support services to help ensure their success at ECU.
View our Native American Students pageAre You the First in Your Family to Go to College?
At ECU, we recognize that “going first” can be difficult. We provide the extra financial support, scholarships, resources, services, and skills you need to succeed.
View our First-Generation College Students pageTransfer Students
If you’ve taken college-level courses elsewhere, you could save time and money earning your degree by transferring credits to ECU and may qualify for scholarships.
View our Transfer Students pageCareer Outlook
Graduates with a background in Native American studies can pursue a wide range of rewarding careers in and outside of tribal communities. Whether you are interested in professional opportunities or continuing your education at the graduate level, this program can prepare you for career paths like public relations, museum and archival work, social work and counseling, law and politics, civil service, public health and teaching.
Grant Writer
Grant writers write and apply for grants, usually on behalf of nonprofit or government organizations. They complete research to support the grant application, ensure acquired grant funds are used correctly and report on the impact of the grant.
Average annual salary: $49,432
Museum Worker
Also known as museum technicians, museum workers create and maintain exhibitions as well as prepare objects for storage. They also keep records of pieces’ acquisition, condition and storage location.
Average annual salary: $52,140
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists may also be known as media specialists or communications specialists. They develop and maintain an organization’s public image, create media strategies and raise awareness of its work.
Average annual salary: $62,810
Social and Community Service Manager
Social and community service managers oversee community programs and staff. While job responsibilities vary based on the size of the organization, these professionals often determine what new programs and services are needed, suggest improvements to existing programs, coordinate community outreach activities and more.
Average annual salary: $69,600
Career and salary info is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Frequently Asked Questions
ECU Online offers a number of scholarships to qualified applicants. To be considered for scholarships, your first step is to complete an application. All scholarship recipients must be full-time students. For more information, visit our Scholarships page.
Your first step is to complete our online application. To apply, you will need a GPA of 2.25 or higher and official transcripts. If you are a transfer student, you must have completed 24 college credit hours with a retention GPA of 2.0 or higher. For more information, contact us at 833-624-5249 or request information.
Earning your B.A. in Native American Studies can open doors to a wide range of opportunities. After graduation, you will be prepared to pursue professional roles or continue your education with graduate study. Possible career paths in and outside of tribal communities include public relations, museum and archival work, social work and counseling, law and politics, civil service, public health, teaching and more.
This program features interdisciplinary coursework, an internship opportunity, and collaborative partnerships with the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations so you gain firsthand experience working with tribal communities. Topics of study include history, archaeology, cultural anthropology, political science, legal studies and more. As a student, you will complete 13 major courses and a total of 124 credit hours.
Ideal for working students, ECU Online’s interactive learning environment offers the flexibility you need to balance your education with your personal and professional schedule. As an online student, you’ll receive ample opportunities to virtually discuss course materials with your educators and classmates, plus the ability to access courses on your time and complete your degree at your own pace.