Academic Programs

The Program in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) at The University of Texas at Austin has a global, comparative focus with a particular strength in the Americas. As an intellectual, interdisciplinary field, NAIS fosters and supports teaching and research on the languages, cultures, knowledges, and histories of Native American and/or Indigenous tribes, peoples, societies, and communities. We are also committed to cultivating and developing good relations with all the American Indian and Indigenous tribes and communities in Texas and beyond. 

While NAIS is housed in the College of Liberal Arts, our faculty and course offerings span schools and colleges through the university, including Education, Law, Music, and Information Sciences. The programs offer courses that allow our students to develop a broad and in-depth understanding of indigenous thought and indigenous issues. They also provide a community for NAIS students through social events, a brown bag series in which students present their work, and strong ties to student organizations. Our office in WCP 4.110 also functions as a lounge/meeting space with refreshments and access to educational materials for our students.

NAIS offers both an Undergraduate Certificate and a Graduate Portfolio program. We run an exciting speakers series that provides students, faculty and community members the opportunity to learn from and connect with indigenous intellectuals from around the world. We also provide summer research fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students. 

NAIS has also partnered with a number of programs to support the creation of the RIM (Race, Indigeneity and Migration) Major.