May 23, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
Catalog Home
Archived Catalogs
General Catalog Information
Majors and Combined Degrees
Minors, Certificates and Micro-Credentials
Departments & Programs
Courses
UB Curriculum (General Education)
Academic Policies and Procedures
Academic Calendar
Campus Facilities and Instructional Spaces
Financial and Scholarship Information
Admissions
Student Records and Registration
Academic Advising
Learning Outside the Classroom
Study Abroad
myUB
HUB Academic Advisement Report
Accreditations
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Indigenous Studies BA

If you want to make a change in the world to help dismantle systemic racism, advance social and environmental justice and understand the impacts of colonization, start here.

Building on more than 50 years of tradition of Indigenous studies at UB, this interdisciplinary major examines some of the world’s most pressing questions: How can we protect our lands and waters for future generations? What are the most effective ways to build relationships among diverse populations? How does all of society benefit from Indigenous knowledge? Find out at UB, with SUNY’s first Indigenous Studies major.

Visit the Indigenous Studies academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Indigenous Studies   department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Indigenous Studies BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Major Requirements

Indigenous Studies Core (18 credits)

Six elective courses (minimum 18 credits)

Complete 18 credits from the lists below. At least five courses (15 credits) must be at the 300/400-level. It is recommended that students select electives from Indigenous Politics and Movements, Land-Based or Language to allow for depth in one of these areas.

Indigenous Politics and Movements

Land-Based

Language

Broader Electives

Total Credits Required for Major: 36

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum  on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

All students are encouraged to use this plan in conjunction with other academic planning resources such as your academic advisor, the HUB Academic Advisement Report , My Planner and Path Finder tool.

In addition to following this course roadmap, all other admission and academic requirements of this major as listed in the Undergraduate Catalog must be met in order to successfully complete this degree.

YEAR 1

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

YEAR 2

Fall Semester

  • Elective Credits: 3
  • IDS Elective 2 Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • IDS Elective 3 Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy 1 Credits: 3
    Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester

YEAR 3

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

YEAR 4

Fall Semester

  • IDS Elective 6 Credits: 3
  • LAS Elective Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
    Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester​

  • Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Elective Credits: 2
    Total Credits: 14

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of: 

  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: the history of contact and its relationship to current political organizing of Indigenous Nations.
  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Identify and evaluate appropriate approaches to tackling the social, cultural, and political issues faced by Indigenous communities at the local, national, and international level.
  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Use and evaluate Indigenous research methods to examine, analyze, and present on current and past issues.
  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Incorporate empirical evidence, theoretical social science, legal understanding of federal Indian law and key components of Indigenous representations into their written and oral arguments.
  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Synthesize information from multiple disciplines into their written work.
  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Apply a multidisciplinary Indigenous-centered research and teaching that is responsive to and beneficial to Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations in local, national and global contexts
  • The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: the subject areas concentrated in the elective courses.

    (HEGIS: 22.12 AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL STUDIES, CIP: 05.0202 American Indian/Native American Studies)

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Combined Degrees