Native American Studies

The Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Native American Studies is designed to provide students with a foundation in Native American issues and concerns. NASP majors select from one of two areas of concentration: History and Traditional Culture or Contemporary Tribal Leadership. Therefore, the student should work closely with their academic advisor and/or transfer counselor to select the courses which are appropriate and most beneficial.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Tribal Nation Building- Excel
  • Associate of Arts degree with emphasis in History and Traditional Culture- Excel
  • Associate of Arts degree with emphasis in Contemporary Tribal Leadership - Excel
  • Certificate in Native American History and Traditional Culture - PDF or Excel
  • Certificate in Contemporary Tribal Leadership- PDF or Excel

Process Map

History & Traditional Culture Concentration

NAS Culture Map

Tribal Leadership Concentration

NAS Tribal Leadership Map

Sample Program of Study

Full-Time (12+ credits per semester)     
Year 1- Fall Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● EDUC 1010 Student Success Strategies 2 ILO 5
● NASP 1010 Introduction to Native American Studies 3 Core
● ENGL 1010 English Composition I 3 ILO 2
● Native Language Level I (NASP 1410 or 1510) 4 ILO 1
HLTH 1046 AIHEC  1 ILO 5
● NASP 1030 Nat Am History to 1890 3 Core
Total Credits by Term 14  
     
Year 1- Spring Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● ENGL 1020 English Composition II 3 ILO 2
● NASP 1040 Nat Am History since 1890 3 ILO 1
● INFO 1010 Intro to Computers 3 ILO 4
● Native Language Level II (NASP 1420 or 1520) or additional level I 4 Core
* NASP 1080 Native American Education 3 ILO 3
Total Credits by Term 16  
     
Year 1- Summer Term Credits Gen Ed/ Core
NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics 3 Core
HLTH 1048 Gardening 3 Elective
Total Credits by Term 6  
     
Year 2- Fall Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● MATH 1110 Intermediate Algebra 4 ILO 3
● SPCH 1110 Public Speaking 3 ILO 2
● NASP 2200 Santee Dakota Tribal History, NASP 2210 Omaha Tribal History, or NASP 2220 Ponca Tribal History 3 Core
BIOS 1010/`1014 General Biology or CHEM 1050/1054 or CHEM 1090 4 ILO 3
Total Credits by Term 14  
     
Year 2- Spring Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
ENGL 1040 Creative Writing  3 ILO 5
●NASP 2230 Dakota Culture and Tradition or NASP 2240 Omaha Culture and Tradition 3 Core
NASP 1070 Native American Geneology Research 3 ILO 4
● NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics 3 Core
● EDUC 1020 Career Survival 1 ILO 5
Total Credits by Term 13  
     
Total Credits for Degree 63  

Year 1- Fall Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● EDUC 1010 Student Success Strategies 2 ILO 5
● ENGL 1010 English Composition I 3 ILO 2
● NASP 1010 Introduction to Native American Studies 3 Core
Total Credits by Term 8  
     
Year 1- Spring Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● NASP 1040 Nat Am History since 1890 3 ILO 1
● INFO 1010 Intro to Computers 3 ILO 4
HLTH 1045 Archery/Hunting Safety 1 ILO 5
Total Credits by Term 7  
     
Year 1- Summer Term Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● Native Language Level I (NASP 1410 or 1510) 4 ILO 1
Total Credits by Term 4  
     
Year 2- Fall Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● NASP 1030 Nat Am History to 1890 3 Core
● ENGL 1020 English Composition II 3 ILO 2
Total Credits by Term 6  
     
Year 2- Spring Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
ENGl 1040 Creative Writing 3 ILO 5
● Native Language Level II (NASP 1420 or 1520) or additional level I 4 Core
Total Credits by Term 7  
     
Year 2- Summer Term Credits Gen Ed/ Core
NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics 3 Core
Total Credits by Term 3  
     
Year 3- Fall Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● NASP 2200 Santee Dakota Tribal History, NASP 2210 Omaha Tribal History, or NASP 2220 Ponca Tribal History 3 Core
BIO 1010 General Biology & General Biology Lab 4 ILO 3
Total Credits by Term 7  
     
Year 3- Spring Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
●NASP 2230 Dakota Culture and Tradition or NASP 2240 Omaha Culture and Tradition 3 Core
NASP 1080 Native American Education 3 ILO 3
Total Credits by Term 6  
     
Year 3- Summer Term Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● SPCH 1110 Public Speaking 3 ILO 2
Total Credits by Term 3  
     
Year 4- Fall Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● MATH 1110 Intermediate Algebra 4 ILO 3
NASP 2300 Tribal Government & Politics 3 ILO 4
Total Credits by Term 7  
     
Year 4 - Spring Semester Credits Gen Ed/ Core
● NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics 3 Core
● EDUC 1020 Career Survival 1 ILO 5
Total Credits by Term 4  
     
Total Credits for Degree 62  

Career Pathways Flowchart

NAS Career Ladder

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2023)

/images/nicc-guided-pathways/LaniMoranSamqua.jpg

“Even if you don’t realize it, you’re a role model for the younger generations like your children, your grandchildren, and your great grandchildren. We are never too old to learn.”

Lani Moran Samqua ‘Ma The’ (Umo n ho n  / Rosebud Sioux) - Native American Studies major and NICC Macy Campus Extension Assistant

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“Our language is our culture. That’s where you get your worldview. That’s where you get your identity. Now I’ve made it my lifetime goal to become an Umo n ho n  language teacher.”

Vanessa Hamilton (Umo n ho n  ) - Alumni and  NICC Student Billing

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“As a graduated high school teen, I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going . . . .  I lacked motivation. The classes at NICC eventually gave me purpose and helped me have a better understanding of who I am and where I come from. This made me want to continue [my] education at the college, because I’m finally getting the answers I’ve been searching for.”

Nakomis Merrick (Umo n ho n  ) - Native American Studies major

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"What you're going to do is learn about both your traditional culture, how cultures change, how they remain vibrant within a tribe... Language and culture go together."

Wynema Morris (Umonhon) - NICC Native American Studies Adjunct Instructor & Board of Directors Vice Chairperson 

Internships and Job Shadowing Opportunities

- NICC Language Apprentice Internship

- NICC Archives Internship

Articulation Agreements

- UNO B.S. Emergency Management- Tribal Management Emergency Services Concentration (AA in Native American Studies with Contemporary Tribal Leadership emphasis)

- UNO B.S. Emergency Management- Tribal Management Emergency Services Concentration (AA in Native American Studies with History and Traditional Culture emphasis) 

Faculty in the Division

Last Name 

First Name 

Role 

Edwards

Carlton

Native American Studies Division Head

Morris

Wynema

FT Native Studies Faculty

Murie

Kim

FT Faculty (PNC)

Saunsoci Andre FT Omaha Language Instructor/ Cultural Advisor
Thomas Redwing PT Dakota Language Instructor/ Cultural Advisor
Gordon Binah Omaha Language Curriculum Specialist
Bird Joey Dakota Language Curriculum Specialist
Frazier Misty Adjunct Faculty
Garcia Maria Adjunct Faculty
Goodbird Jamie Adjunct Faculty
Grajales Geliga Susana Adjunct Faculty 
Provost Patty Adjunct Faculty
Pratt Warren PNC Adjunct Faculty
Stabler Vida Adjunct Faculty
Swalley Lizzie Adjunct Faculty
Widow Doug Adjunct Faculty 

 

FAQs

Student Services FAQs

For More Information

Program of Interest