Program Information
Learn more about the Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Nations program.
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Course Sequence
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The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in American Indian Studies provides a multi-disciplinary academic approach to studying Indigenous Peoples, their cultures, struggles, and maintaining sovereignty and self-determination. This degree empowers students to effectively work in urban and rural environments, and government agencies, and help Native Nations. Coursework focuses on historic relations with non-Indian societies, the development of federal Indian law, tribal governments, treaty rights, environmental issues, public policy, economic development, cultural preservation, and contemporary social issues. This degree provides students with the foundational coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in the field.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Culture and Society
- Type
- Associate in Arts (AA)
- Academic Plan
- Associate in Arts, Emphasis in American Indian Studies (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 8126
- Total Credits Required
- 60-64
- Catalog Year
- 2026-2027
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.Federal Indian policy stipulates tribal preference in hiring, which should be considered in seeking employment with tribal nations and selected federal agencies. Seek advice of the tribal agency for available employment opportunities.
This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), American Indian Studies, BSRefer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU .
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Analyze tribal, federal, state, and municipal governmental policy and legal interactions related to inherent sovereignty.
- Collaborate effectively to identify and examine issues at the tribal, state, and national levels that affect the holistic well-being of Indigenous Peoples.
- Examine the Indigenous concept of interconnectedness with respect to the Sacred, which is holistically and organically inclusive of culture, homeland, worldview, identity, nature, and sustainability.
- Analyze the various ways in which Indigenous Peoples identify and organize themselves in relation to pre- and post-colonial contact.
- Analyze the impacts of sovereign powers at the tribal, state, and federal levels in relation to the international governmental forum.
- Examine the laws, codes, and statutes at the tribal, federal, and state levels.
- Examine the impact of political diversity and historic, socio-economic, contemporary, and cultural contexts on Indigenous Peoples and their respective cultures.
- Perform academic research and writing in accordance with ethical standards and scholarly practices.
- Effectively communicate orally, visually, digitally, and in writing in a manner that demonstrates cross-cultural empathy, self-awareness, open mindedness, and responsiveness.
- Illustrate the ways in which the influences of past and current social and political institutions promote inequalities, privileges, stereotypes, mistrust, and biases that continue to extrinsically shape the identity of Indigenous Peoples.
- Value Indigenous knowledge as it relates to multi-generational cultural education, including elderhood, oral traditions, and aesthetics.
- Examine the endangerment of Indigenous language extinction and the acceleration of Indigenous culture loss as well as the efforts to revitalize and restore them.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
- Legal Support Workers, All Other
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
- Teaching Assistants, All Other
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
| Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) |
|---|
|
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:
Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:
For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage. |
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC105 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | Critical course Gateway course | C | 3 | |
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 | ||
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. | QNR | 3–6 | |
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC160 | American Indian Law | AIS/SOC160 satisfies a required course for AC in American Indian Studies | C, H | 3 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC | 3 | ||
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | Recommend AIS213/REL203 or ENH259 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | AHM | 3 | |
| OCM | Oral Communication | OCM | 3 | ||
| Elective | General Elective | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS101 or AIS110 or AIS112 or AIS140 or AIS170 or AIS201 or AIS213 |
Survey of American Indian Issues or Navajo Government or American Indian Policy or American Indian History or American Indian History of the Southwest or Indigenous Nation Building or American Indian Religions | C, SB or C, H or None or C, H, SB, SCB or C, H or None or C, AHM, HU, L | 3 | ||
| NSI | Natural Sciences | Recommend BIO100, CHM107 and CHM107LL, GPH211, OR GPH213 and GPH215. | NSI | 4 | |
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Recommend AIS/HIS140 or AIS/SOC141 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | SCB | 3 | |
| Elective | General Elective | 0–3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | Recommend AIS213/REL203 or ENH259 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | AHM | 3 | |
| NSI | Natural Sciences | NSI | 4 | ||
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Recommend AIS/HIS140 or AIS/SOC141 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | SCB | 3 | |
| Elective | General Elective | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
| Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) |
|---|
|
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:
Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:
For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage. |
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC105 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | Critical course Gateway course | C | 3 | |
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC | 3 | ||
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. | QNR | 3–6 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC160 | American Indian Law | AIS/SOC160 satisfies a required course for AC in American Indian Studies | C, H | 3 | |
| OCM | Oral Communication | OCM | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS101 or AIS110 or AIS112 or AIS140 or AIS170 or AIS201 or AIS213 |
Survey of American Indian Issues or Navajo Government or American Indian Policy or American Indian History or American Indian History of the Southwest or Indigenous Nation Building or American Indian Religions | C, SB or C, H or None or C, H, SB, SCB or C, H or None or C, AHM, HU, L | 3 | ||
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Recommend AIS/HIS140 or AIS/SOC141 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | SCB | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | Recommend AIS213/REL203 or ENH259 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | AHM | 3 | |
| NSI | Natural Sciences | Recommend BIO100, CHM107 and CHM107LL, GPH211, OR GPH213 and GPH215. | NSI | 4 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | Recommend AIS213/REL203 or ENH259 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | AHM | 3 | |
| NSI | Natural Sciences | Recommend BIO100, CHM107 and CHM107LL, GPH211, OR GPH213 and GPH215. | NSI | 4 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Recommend AIS/HIS140 or AIS/SOC141 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies. | SCB | 3 | |
| Elective | General Elective | 3 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective | General Elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | General Elective | 0–3 |
General Electives
Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.
Recommended:
CPD103BE Native American Cultural Pride and Awareness
NAV101 Elementary Navajo I
+ NAV102 Elementary Navajo II
PIM115 Beginning Pima Conversation I
+ PIM116 Beginning Pima Conversation II
YAQ100 Yaqui Indian History and Culture
YAQ110 Yaqui Language and Culture
For students intending to earn an Academic Certificate in American Indian Studies, selecting a total of three (3) credits from the following list (except those used to satisfy other areas) is recommended:
AIS+++ Any AIS American Indian Studies course
ARH145 History of American Indian Art
+ CCS101 Chicana and Chicano Studies
ENH259 American Indian Literature
GCU221 Arizona Geography
HIS+++ Any HIS History course
NAV+++ Any NAV Navajo course
SPH245 Hispanic Heritage in the Southwest
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Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Nations program.
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- AHM = Arts and Humanities
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- FYC = First-Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- NSI = Natural Sciences
- OCM = Oral Communication
- QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
- WCM = Written Communication
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/acres.woa/wa/customView?id=16461523.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.