The graduate certificate in Native American Studies requires 15 hours of course work, in addition to certain other requirements. It aims to build upon a pre-existing base in Native American Studies, while allowing students to focus on their core areas. This includes:

a) an introductory directed study in major topics in Native American Studies, as approved by the Director of INAS;

b) two courses in the student's core area, approved by the Director of INAS in consultation with the student's major advisor;

c) at least one course in a core area other than that in which the student is pursuing a degree (cultures; archaeology; history; law and policy; and literature);

d) completion of RELI/NAMS 6701 Methods in the Study of Native American Cultures, which shall include a research paper;

e) passing of a minimum of one field examination in Native American Studies.

Finally, in appropriate circumstances, the student's major advisor and the Director of INAS may require additional work beyond the above requirements.

Below is a list of current courses that fulfill the core area requirements. Not every one of these courses is offered every year. In addition, classes are added every semester. Interested students are advised to consult this webpage regularly. 

Cultures:

ANTH 6020 Indians of North America
ANTH 6245 Oral Literature
ANTH 6460 The Aztecs and the Maya
ANTH 6470 The Rise and Fall of the Southeastern Chiefdoms
ANTH 6480 The Indians of the Old South
ANTH 6900 Indigenous Latin America
ANTH 8000 Special Topics in Anthropology (with the approval of the Director)
ANTH 8500 Ethnoecology
GEOG 6680 Gender and Geography
MUSI 6270 Topics of Musical Cultures of the World
RELI 6705 Special Topics in Native American Studies
RELI 6710 Directed Reading and Study in Native American Studies
RELI 6900 Apocalyptic Religion in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Archaeology:

ANTH 8000 Special Topics in Anthropology (with the approval of the Director)
RELI 6705 Special Topics in Native American Studies
RELI 6710 Directed Reading and Study in Native American Studies

History:

ANTH 6020 Indians of North America
ANTH 6245 Oral Literature
ANTH 6460 The Aztecs and the Maya
ANTH 6470 The Rise and Fall of the Southeastern Chiefdoms
ANTH 6480 The Indians of the Old South
RELI 6705 Special Topics in Native American Studies
RELI 6710 Directed Reading and Study in Native American Studies

Law and Policy:

LAW 5500 Indian Law
RELI 6705 Special Topics in Native American Studies
RELI 6710 Directed Reading and Study in Native American Studies

Literature:

ENGL 6860 Native American Literature
ENGL 8730 Topics in Native American Literature
RELI 6705 Special Topics in Native American Studies
RELI 6710 Directed Reading and Study in Native American Studies

Because no specific relevant graduate-level courses are currently offered in Archaeology, students are instructed to consult with the Director about an appropriate directed reading or other opportunities.

Courses may be listed in more than one of the five core distribution areas, but each course can only be used to fulfill the requirement in one category. Consult with the Director for details.

Graduate students are strongly advised to develop facility with a Native language relevant to their particular study. UGA and INAS have resources to assist in this. Consult with the Director for further details.

Sample Graduate Certificate Program

Based on the requirements and existing courses, a sample graduate certificate program in Native American Studies might look like this:

RELI 6710 Directed Reading and Study in Native American Studies
ANTH 6020 Indians of North America
ANTH 8000 Special Topics in Anthropology (focusing on archaeology)
ANTH 6480 The Indians of the Old South
LAW 5500 Indian Law
ENGL 6860 Native American Literature
RELI/NAMS 6701 Methods in the Study of Native American Cultures