StudyQA — Master: American Indian Studies

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Description Contents Requirements

In 1982 UCLA established the first interdisciplinary Master of Arts program in American Indian Studies in the nation. Ranked among the best in American Indian Studies, the Master of Arts program draws on a diverse range of departments at UCLA. Students choose an area of concentration and acquire skills that will enable them to conduct original research. Graduates of the program will be prepared to teach Native American studies, pursue more specialized graduate or professional training, or serve in an administrative capacity in Indian programs. Recent graduates have launched successful careers as tribal historians, museum curators, teachers, artists, filmmakers, tribal administrators, researchers, and professors. More than half of the graduates go on to a doctoral program or an advanced degree. The Master of Arts program is associated with the American Indian Studies Center, which ranks among the top research centers of its kind.

A minimum of ten courses is required, at least seven of which must be at the graduate level. Four required courses:
American Indian Studies M200A, M200B, M200C, M200D (which must be taken in the first year) and one of the linguistics requirement options which must be fulfilled by the end of the second year. In addition, one of the remaining six courses must be a graduate course concerned with research methodology.

Students can petition for combinations of interdisciplinary work to the chair of the program. In addition to the four required courses, students must complete a minimum of four courses in their chosen area of concentration. Three of these must be graduate level courses. Two additional courses are to be chosen from other areas of concentration. Courses must be selected from an approved list maintained by the program.
Two courses in the 500 series may be applied toward the course requirement. However, only one 596 course may be counted toward the minimum graduate course requirement. The 500 series courses are individualized, independent study courses which permit students to pursue topics that are not available in conventional lecture courses or seminars. They may be used to make guided progress in writing the thesis or preparing for the comprehensive examination.
Students in the Master of Arts program must successfully complete one of the following linguistics requirements: (a) Linguistics 114, (b) Anthropology 243P, or (c) for native speakers of an American Indian language, an independent study course approved by the instructor in either Linguistics or Anthropology in which a structural knowledge of the student’s language is learned. The courses are designed to show how American Indian languages and communicative norms are primary vehicles for the transmission and understanding of American Indian cultures.

Thesis or Comprehensive Examination

Students may select either a thesis plan or a comprehensive examination plan to complete the program. The committee members supervising the thesis or administering the comprehensive examination are selected by the student with the consent of the program committee after submitting a formal thesis proposal early in the fourth quarter of residence. Copies of the thesis must be submitted to each member of the committee by the fifth week of the quarter of expected graduation. Students choosing the comprehensive examination plan must demonstrate competency in the major and minor areas of study in a written and/or oral examination.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution is required for admission to the Master of Arts program in American Indian Studies. Ideally, students will demonstrate an interest in American Indian studies through formal course work, independent study, or practical experience. In addition to the application, students must submit an essay which includes a detailed account of their academic background, a statement of research interests, and potential career plans. Preference is given to individuals with undergraduate majors relevant to the proposed areas of concentration within the Master of Arts degree: Anthropology, Art History, English, Ethnomusicology, History, Linguistics, Literature, Sociology, or Theater.
Entering students must meet the university’s minimum admission requirement of a 3.0 grade-point average in all course work completed during the last two undergraduate years and in all prior graduate work.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, but students are encouraged to take the examination and submit test results to be considered for fellowship programs.
At least three letters of recommendation should be submitted, ideally from faculty members who know your work.
Students should submit a writing sample, usually a copy of a term paper (or some approximation thereof) that has been completed for a course.
If you achieved a score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL iBT, or 7.5 or higher on the IELTS, the ESLPE requirement is waived.
If you scored below 100 on the TOEFL iBT, or below 7.5 on the IELTS, you mustsit for the ESLPE upon arrival at UCLA and immediately enroll in any assigned English as a Second Language courses.