Department of Education Degrees & Certificates
The PYT-UA Microcampus offers a one-year Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) in Indigenous Governance in Tribal Justice Systems, Tribal Economic Development, and Tribal Natural Resource Management, along with certificates in Indigenous governance and Tribal Courts and Justice Administration.
Degree(s)
The Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) in Indigenous Governance
With concentration tracks in:
- Tribal Justice Systems
- Tribal Economic Development
- Tribal Natural Resource Management
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Indigenous Governance degree has been designed with working professionals in mind, combining brief but intensive on-campus classes with a diverse menu of online courses and externship credits that can be earned in a student’s home community. The 30-credit hybrid in-person and online MPS degree can be completed within one year. By combining the immersive in-person January in Tucson experience with a robust online class curriculum, the MPS gives students flexibility to create their own specialized courses of study.
Professional Development Certificates
Native Nations Institute's Continuing Education Certificate in Indigenous Governance
The Continuing Education Certificate (CEC) in Indigenous Governance is a 6-credit professional development certificate that allows individuals from all walks of life to take part in courses taught by renowned faculty, covering a wide variety of topics related to Indigenous governance, Indigenous rights, and economic, community, and leadership development.
University of Arizona Law Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program Professional Development Certificate in Tribal Courts and Justice Administration
The Professional Development Certificate in Tribal Courts and Justice Administration is designed to provide a strong foundation in the workings of tribal courts and justice systems for working professionals wishing to. This program prepares you for a wide range of tribal-justice related careers and teaches you the foundations of Native American law and policy. The curriculum covers topics ranging from federal Indian law, tribal courts, tribal criminal law, and tribal family law, all taught by industry-leading faculty.
UA Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Governance
The Graduate Certificate (GC) in Indigenous Governance provides graduate-level executive education and leadership development for those interested in Indigenous governance.
Tribal Web Development
Law, Technology, & Governance
This course offers essential knowledge for creating websites specifically tailored for the Native American community. It addresses the unique opportunity for federally and state-recognized tribes to use the ".nsn.gov" domain, reflecting their status as the "Government". Students will gain an understanding of the specific rules and procedures for registering an "nsn.gov" domain name, alongside insights into global domain name registrations and dispute resolution policies and how tribal intellectual property rights intersect with commercial domain name registrations.
Course(s)
January in Tucson (JIT) courses in Indigenous Governance (Live and on-line)
For three weeks each year, the January in Tucson intensive education session brings together distinguished faculty in the field of Indigenous governance and Indigenous rights, and gives them the opportunity to teach and hold discussions with Indigenous leaders, practitioners, and community members, and anyone interested in Indigenous affairs.
Tribal Gaming Law & Regulation
The course will explore the various laws and regulations that federally recognized Tribes are required to follow in order to conduct Indian Gaming as a form of economic development. Key topics include Federal Indian Law and policy, the history and origins of Indian Gaming, as well as state and tribal agreements/relations related to gaming operations.
Indigenous Data and Spectrum Sovereignty
The demand for Indigenous data is increasing in Indian Country as tribes engage in economic, social, and cultural development on a rapid scale. Additionally, tribes seek methods to protect their cultural and proprietary information. This course will examine the role of Indigenous data as an exercise of sovereignty in Indigenous governance and self-determination. It will dually explore data collected internally by tribes and Native communities, and information collected by external sources.
LAW 495/595 Tribal Web Development II
Law & Training
This course is open to all individuals who are eager to enhance their digital literacy, web development skills, and understanding of domain name governance. It is designed for individuals inspired to promote tribal sovereignty and advance tribal interests in the digital age.
Indigenous Public Health
This course will explore the foundations of Indigenous public health. Topics will include key public health issues affecting Indigenous communities, such as youth health, maternal health, caregiving, and cancer. The course will also cover Indigenous systems alignment, a growing practice in public health, as well as sovereignty and self-determination in relation to data through the lens of data for governance. Additionally, students will learn about program development based on community needs and assets.
Undergraduate Certificate(s)
UA Undergraduate Certificate in Tribal Courts and Justice Administration
The Tribal Courts and Justice Administration Undergraduate Certificate offered by the University of Arizona College of Law and the School of Government and Public Policy in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is designed to provide a strong foundation in the workings of tribal courts and justice systems for students wishing to pursue careers as tribal judges (most tribes do not require J.D. law degrees for appointment to the tribal bench), lay advocates, court clerks, probation officers, legal secretaries, assistants and paralegals, tribal law enforcement and game officers, and many other positions and professions connected to the administration of justice in Indian country. The certificate program is well-designed to prepare students who desire to go on to law school and specialize in federal Indian law, tribal justice systems, and Indian country self-governance institutions.