Indigenous Education, MA


Whether you are an experienced educator working in tribal communities or new to exploring the topic, this program can help you create practical solutions to unique issues. Researchers and students work collaboratively with native communities and contribute to the advancement of new knowledge, practice and policy in American Indian and Indigenous education.


Program Description

Degree Awarded: Indigenous Education, MA

The online MA program in Indigenous education provides students with advanced training in research, theory and practice related to Indigenous education, broadly defined, as well as the process of schooling. The main audiences for this degree are those working in Indian education, those working for tribal nations with education programs, and those interested in Indigenous education.

Because the Center for Indian Education is housed in the School of Social Transformation with a faculty that collaborates with colleagues internationally, nationally and across ASU campuses, students have access to a wealth of additional resources at the master's degree level, which allow them to develop a final project that best fits their specific professional aspirations.





At a Glance: program details

  • Location: online
  • Second Language Requirement: No


Degree Requirements

Required Core (9 credit hours)
IED 501 Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies (3)
IED 502 Indigenous Knowledges in Education (3)
IED 503 Current Issues in Indigenous Education (3)

Other Required Courses (15 credit hours)
IED 510 History of Indigenous Education (3)
IED 530 Language/Literacy-Indig People (3)
IED 535 Community-Based Participatory Action Research (3)
SST 520 Learning Technologies in Native Education (3)
SST 530 Culture and Education (3)

Research (3 credit hours)
IED 592 Research (3)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
IED 585 Capstone (3)




Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field such as history, education, anthropology, sociology, ethnic studies, justice studies or political science, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. letter of intent or written statement
  4. example of writing
  5. professional resume
  6. three letters of recommendation
  7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

A selection committee, comprised of faculty members, selects candidates based on application materials and the applicant's ability to succeed.




Career Opportunities

Graduates of the master's program can pursue careers in education, government or nonprofit organizations. Graduates can also work as researchers or policy analysts at educational policy centers, K-12 schools and universities, and within community-based organizations.





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Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.