Undergraduate Certificate
The Indigenous Studies Undergraduate Certificate includes your choice of 18 total credit hours from a list of courses taught by faculty affiliates of the Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Program at UT Austin. These classes explore the languages, cultures, knowledges, histories, and current political struggles of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas and across the globe. Through the Certificate Program, students develop a broad and in-depth understanding of indigenous thought and issues. Course offerings for the Certificate span many departments, schools, and colleges across the university.
Students can earn the transcriptable certificate while completing any major in any undergraduate college at UT Austin.
Certificate Requirements
The student must complete 18 hours of Native American and Indigenous Studies coursework, including at least nine hours in residence, and fulfill the following requirements:
- Completion of major through any undergraduate college of the University.
- Completion of an introductory course (3 hours) that surveys Native American and Indigenous issues. This may include Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies, Native American History, Native American Literature, or another introductory course on Indigenous issues in the Americas or in a transnational and global perspective. Examples of current approved courses:
- ENG 314V – Native American Literature and Culture
- HIS 317L – Introduction to Native American Histories
- Completion of four intermediate courses (12 hours) that meet the following requirements:
- Twelve semester hours (four courses) of classes with at least 30% content related to Native American and Indigenous Studies.
- At least three courses (9 hours) must be designated as upper-division.
- At least two courses (6 hours) must be from outside of the department of the student’s major area of study.
- Students may elect to complete an internship related to Native American and/or Indigenous issues as one of their courses.
- Completion of one course (3 hours) from a list of approved upper-division capstone courses with 100% content related to Native American and Indigenous Studies. Examples of current approved courses:
- ANT 336L - Native American Cultures North of Mexico
- ARH 347L - Mesoamerican Art and Culture
Updated October 2025.
FAQ
- What does the upper-division/capstone course entail?
An approved certificate course designated as fulfilling the capstone requirement has been certified as having 100% content related to Native American and Indigenous Studies. This does not necessarily indicate that the course involves a formal capstone project.
- Must I complete the courses in a specific order?
No. Since students may enroll in the certificate program at any point in their degree program, there is no requirement to take the courses in any specific order. We recommend taking an introductory course first, followed by your upper division courses, but this is not mandatory.
- I have taken a course with Native American & Indigenous Studies content, but I don't see it on the approved course page. Can I count it toward my certificate?
Please email us at nais@austin.utexas.edu with the course details and copy of the syllabus so we may review it for inclusion toward the certificate. Please note that we cannot guarantee approval of petition requests.
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