Introduction to the Major
The Native American Studies program exists to broaden the understanding of students interested in the history, culture, and contemporary situations of Native Americans in the United States. Our program considers broadly the relationship of indigeneity and settler colonialism, foregrounding the historical contexts and constraints through which indigenous individuals and polities have expressed and continue to express themselves.
The Native American Studies major and minor are offered by the Department of Ethnic Studies, which also offers a major and minor in Ethnic Studies as well as a minor in Race and the Law.
The Major Curriculum
The Native American Studies curriculum has been structured to provide courses that deal with both historical and cultural analysis of Native American cultures and contemporary legal and social institutions that affect Native American life. The program not only stresses sound academic preparation in the classroom but also allows students the flexibility to take part in community-oriented education through fieldwork or studies directed towards community situations and problems.
Amplify Your Major
- Check out resources from Native American Student Development (NASD).
- Enrich your studies with a summer minor in Race and the Law.
- Get involved with the Indigenous and Native Coalition.
- Complete a senior honors thesis in the major.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
- Enroll in ETH STD 11AC: Introduction to Ethnic Studies.
Connect and Build Community
- Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar like Native American Studies 90, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course.
- Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in October.
- Visit the Ethnic Studies Library in Stephens Hall and explore the Native American Studies Collection.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore careers in the Career Connections Networking Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
- Visit the Ethnic Studies website for career ideas after graduating.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Enroll in Native American Studies 20A and 20B if you haven’t done so yet.
- Complete lower division prerequisites and declare the major.
- Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a student organization such as the Indigenous and Native Coalition Recruitment and Retention Center.
- Check out resources from Native American Student Development (NASD).
- Listen to the Indigenous United podcast.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
- Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Learn about the Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues.
- Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor like Race and the Law.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Get involved with campus issues as a NASD intern.
- Volunteer with the Amah Mutsun Land Trust’s Native Stewardship Corps.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division requirements and electives.
- Enroll in methods courses ETH STD 101A or ETH STDS 101B.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
- Ask the major advisor about the honors program.
Connect and Build Community
- Attend Native American Studies Program events.
- Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
- Check out events sponsored by the Multicultural Community Center.
Discover Your Passions
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
- Explore campus centers and institutes like the Center for Race & Gender, Center for Research on Social Change, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, and Othering & Belonging Institute.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
- Work with archaeological data and community partners as part of the BACA Project.
- Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, and Public Service Career Fair.”
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Satisfy the NATAMST 197 field study requirement if you haven’t done so already.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a professional association such as the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association.
- Connect with alumni groups like the Native American and Indigenous Alumni Network and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Students in the Native American Studies Program gain skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of fields, including teaching, counseling, law, journalism, marketing, community and housing development, radio and television, health and medicine, community and union organizing, and social work, as well as positions in federal, state, and local governments and those at the city and county levels.
Jobs and Employers
- Acquisitions Editor, Oregon State University Press
- Anthropologist, Wicanpi Research and Consulting
- Archaeology Intern, Presidio Trust
- Chief Administrative Officer, Natve American Health Center
- HR Manager, Changing Tides Family Service
- Operations Coordinator, DroneBase
- Internal Communications Manager, Healthline Media
- Native Summer Youth Employment Program Coordinator, United Indian Nations, Inc.
Graduate Programs
- Counseling, Masters
- City and Regional Planning, Masters
- Data Science, Masters
- Education, Masters, PhD
- Law, JD
- Medicine, MD
- Public Administration, Masters
- Public Health, Masters
- Public Policy, Masters
- Social Work, Masters
Examples gathered from the Ethnic Studies Department and LinkedIn.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ethnicstudies.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can contact the major advisors to schedule appointments or ask questions by emailing Laura Jimenez-Olvera at lauraj@berkeley.edu or Dewey St. Germaine at deweystg@berkeley.edu.
Advising Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:30-11:30am, 1:30-4pm.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
