American Indian Studies Major

The American Indian Studies Department advances and promotes knowledge integral to Native peoples through research, teaching, and community service. It is the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. American Indian Studies approaches its teaching and research from a decolonized, community based, and global perspective. The AIS major is an open major: students with a cumulative UW GPA of at least 2.0 can declare the major at any time.

The American Indian Studies degree prepares students for a variety of careers, including community-based and university-based research; cultural resource management; education; writing; fundraising; tribal administration; academic advising and administration; museum curation; resource management; and many other careers. The degree also provides a foundation for graduate study in indigenous studies, law, museology, tribal administration, documentary filmmaking, education, history, and other areas of study. 

Completion of two courses from:

• AIS 102 (5 credits) - Introduction to American Indian Studies
• AIS 201 (5 credits) - Introduction to American Indian Histories
• AIS 202 (5 credits) - Introduction to Contemporary Experience in Indian America
• AIS 203 (5 credits) - Introduction to Philosophical and Aesthetic Universes

1. Minimum of 2.0 University GPA
2. Completion of 10 credits of American Indian Studies classes

Students may declare the major at any time in the quarter. Transfer students must be enrolled at the UW before applying.

Major Requirements:

55 credits as follows:

1. Introductory courses (10 credits): Two courses from AIS 102, AIS 201, AIS 202, and AIS 203. Other courses may be allowed, subject to adviser approval.
2. AIS Electives (40 credits): Chosen from AIS courses or a select list of courses from other departments, subject to adviser approval.
3. A minimum of 25 credits of course work at the 300-level or above must be completed at the UW.

All financial aid inquiries should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Their website is a valuable resource for students interested in scholarships, loans, work study, and grants.

The Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards, maintained by the Center or Experiential Learning and Diversity at UW, maintains a scholarship database, offers online application advice, runs frequent workshops, and invites students to make appointments with advisers to aid in the scholarship search.

Students may declare the American Indian Studies major after completing a 10 credits of AIS classes with a minimum of 2.0 University GPA.