Tribal Administration & Governance B.A.

The major is designed to prepare students to work for tribes and governmental and non-governmental entities that work closely with tribes. Students may select from two tracks: American Indian Studies or Business Administration Certificate.

The core requirements for the major include courses focused on tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, and federal Indian law and policy. The curriculum is based on studying the interrelationships between federal and tribal governments and the methods used by Native Nations to administer programs. Students will learn the history of federal-tribal-state relations; learn the roles of tribal leaders and administrators; and learn the laws, polices, and issues that impact tribal governments.

The major is flexible to accommodate a variety of student needs. All required courses for the major are offered online. Students may either transfer to UMD with an AA degree, an AS degree, or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and then complete the required courses for the major completely online in two years, OR students who are beginning their undergraduate studies may come to UMD and take courses to fulfill the UMD liberal education program requirements while taking the online courses.

Students who graduate with a BA in Tribal Administration and Governance will:

- Demonstrate the ability to summarize, compare, and contrast tribal governance practices, constitutions, and statutes.
- Demonstrate an understanding of settler policies and legal principles concerning Indian nations as well as settler governmental relationships with tribal governments.
- Formulate effective approaches to strategic, project, and operations management in tribal contexts.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the fundamentals of relevant business practices for tribal administration.
- Demonstrate capacity to summarize, analyze, synthesize, and apply the leadership qualities required of tribal administrators.