American Indian Studies

WSU’s online undergraduate American Indian Studies Certificate provides students with an in-depth knowledge of Native American history, culture, politics, and contemporary issues. The certificate will benefit anyone whose profession involves interaction with tribal communities, enterprises and businesses.

The 18-credit certificate requires six courses: three core courses and three electives from a variety of related areas. Core topics include history, politics and law; elective topics include gender roles, film art, and contemporary cultures.

All courses are online, and you can earn the certificate without being admitted to a WSU degree program.

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Program of Study—18 semester credits

All courses are available online
The certificate requires six 3-credit courses: Three courses are required, and three are electives from related areas. 15 of the credits must be taken at WSU, and 9 hours must be at the 300-400-level.  A minimum of 12 credits must be taken for a letter grade and a grade of C or better must be earned in each of the required and recommended courses in order to qualify for the certificate. 

Required Courses

9 credits; choose three from the following

  • AIS/ANTH 320 [DIVR] – Native Peoples of North America 
  • CES 171 [SSCI] – Introduction to Indigenous Studies
  • HISTORY 308 [DIVR] – North American Indian History, Precontact to Present
  • HISTORY/POL_S/ANTH 410 – History of American Indian Sovereignty and Federal Indian Law

Elective Courses

9 credits; choose three from the following

  • CES 379 – Indigenous Film
  • ART 301 – Arts of Native North America
  • CES 271/MUS 265 [HUM] – Native Music of North America
  • AIS/ANTH 327 [DIVR] – Contemporary Native Peoples of the Americas 
  • AIS/ANTH 331 [SSCI] – Archaeology of the Americas
  • HISTORY/POL_S/ANTH 410 – History of American Indian Sovereignty and Federal Indian Law  (if not taken as a required course above)
NOTE

The following elective courses are not offered at Global Campus: Anth 334, 535, CES 372, 373, 470, 475

Awarding of the Certificate

At the beginning of the student’s final semester of coursework, the student should apply for the certificate through myWSU. This will notify the Registrar’s Office to confer the certificate. Here’s how: From the myWSU Student Homepage, select Academic Advising, then Apply to Graduate. The certificate should display as an option to select to Apply for Graduation. Certificates require a separate graduation application and are mailed separately from diplomas.