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Undergraduate Program

Major Degree in Native American Studies

The major in Native American Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to introduce students to the basic factors which underlie the distinct differences between Native societies and the larger American society. In addition, the major provides students with the opportunity to examine the differences which continue to exist between Native and non-Native societies through multi-contextual learning activities which include experiential or service learning opportunities.

The following objectives are presented as a way to satisfy the broader goals:

• ground students in the concepts and applications of methodologies from relevant disciplines focused on Native issues related to education, economics, law, philosophy, psychology, arts and media;
• provide students with relevant learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom;
• assist students in integrating theory and practice through field and/or research experience; and
• encourage dialogue and collaboration among students, faculty, and the Native community in the on-going development of the Native Studies curriculum.

Major Study Requirements: 36 credit-hours for Major
A major in Native American Studies will require successful completion of thirty-six (36) credit-hours. Students must take eighteen (18) hours of the required core courses. Twelve (12) hours must be from one of the four concentrations in NATV. The remaining six (6) hours must be upper-division courses (300 level or above) from the concentrations OR from courses with significant Native American content offered by other departments, which are subject to approval by the Chair of Native American Studies.

Minor in Native American Studies

Minor Study Requirements: 24 credit-hours
A minor in Native American Studies requires successful completion of twenty-four (24) credit hours. Fifteen (15) credit hours of required courses, with the remaining nine (9) credit hours in Native American Studies related courses. The nine (9) credit hours of the required twenty-four (24) credit hours, must be upper-division courses (300 level or above) chosen from Native American Studies courses, OR from courses with significant Native American content offered by other departments, which are subject to approval by the Director of Native American Studies.

Admission Requirements. Freshman and new transfer students who intend to major and minor in Native American Studies, must visit the University Advisement Center, University Advisement and Enrichment Center 114 before registering for classes. Call (505) 277-2631 for more information.

Transfer from Other Units Within the University Minimum Requirements:
1) A minimum of 26 hours.
2) A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 with a 2.50 on all major coursework complete.
3) Demonstrated competence in the writing of English as evidenced by one of the following: a. Completion of Engl 102 with a grade of C (2.00) or higher. b. A score of 29 or better on the English portion of the Enhanced ACT. c. A score of 650 or better on the verbal portion of the SAT. d. Credit for Engl 102 through CEEB advanced placement program. d. Acceptance of a writing proficiency portfolio (procedures available through the Department of English).
4) Students must declare a Native American Studies major, apply and be accepted by that department prior to admission into University Studies.
5) Non-degree students apply to the Office of Admissions. Students should see NATV departmental advisor.

Transfer from Accredited Universities.
1) A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 with a 2.50 on all major coursework attempted.
2) A minimum of 26 hours.
3) Demonstrated competence in the writing of English (see above)

Graduation Requirements. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies from University Studies is designed to give students a relatively broad background while allowing concentrated study in one of the four areas of concentration. Students formally declare a major and minor when they enter University College. They must file a degree application (available from the Department Adviser and UAC) upon completion of 80 hours. A list of courses required for graduation is then sent to the student. The student is solely responsible for being familiar with and completing all graduation requirements.

A Bachelor of Arts degree from University Studies is awarded upon completion or accomplishment of the following:
1) A total of 128 acceptable hours.
2) A grade point average of at least 2.00 as defined in the General Academic Regulations section of the catalog and a Major specific gpa of 2.5.
3) Fifty hours of upper-division course work (courses numbered 300 or 400) with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 on all upper-division hours accepted by University Studies. University Studies does not accept in fulfillment of the upper-division requirement any lower-division course work transferred to The University of New Mexico as the equivalent of an upper-division course. While a particular topic may be adequately covered in such a lower-division course so as to be considered acceptable for fulfillment of major or minor course requirement from a disciplinary content viewpoint, it does not meet the upper-division requirement, as upper-division courses are taught assuming a degree of maturity and sophistication on the Junior/Senior level. In other words, lower-division courses accepted by substitution approval at a departmental level DO NOT constitute substitution for the 50- hour upper-division requirement.
4) Completion of all requirements for declared major and minor or a double major.
5) The University of New Mexico Core Curriculum.
6) Demonstration of competence in the writing of English as described above.
7) A minimum of 26 semester hours of academic work earned while enrolled in University Studies. (Not to include: credit by exam, transfer credit and/or concurrent enrollment, or independent study/problems courses unless specifically approved by the Director/Dean.)
8) Students must comply with University requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree. Students who have not been in continuous attendance must follow the current catalog requirements upon re-enrollment.
9) All paperwork and requirements documenting transfer equivalencies, grade changes, removals of incomplete, substitutions and/or waivers awarded at the departmental or college level must be filed with the Department Advisor by the last day of classes in the semester of graduation.
10) Students in University Studies receive LoboTrax reports detailing their status with respect to University and University College requirements, as well as those in the major and minor areas of study. This automated degree-audit is intended to aid students in planning their academic program but will not reflect waivers and substitutions granted until paperwork filed with the Departmental Advisor is processed by the Office of the Registrar. Certification of completion of degree requirements is solely the responsibility of University College .

University Core Curriculum. The UNM Core Curriculum requirements are described in the Undergraduate Program section of this catalog. Students should be familiar with BOTH The University of New Mexico Core and University College’s Program Requirements in order to minimize the number of credit hours taken to satisfy both sets of requirements. A grade of C (not C-) is required in all courses used to fulfill the requirements of the Core Curriculum. For updated information regarding courses acceptable in fulfillment of The University of New Mexico Core Curriculum, see the University Advisement Center.

Additional Information Major and Minor Studies. Upon entering University College, students shall formally declare 1) a major and a minor; or 2) two majors.

Distributed Minor. A major department may specify, in lieu of a specific minor, a distributed minor in courses in related departments. A distributed minor shall consist of not less than 30 semester hours or more than 36 hours. Students should consult with their major departmental advisor or chairperson if they wish to propose a distributed minor. The student-proposed distributed minor allows a student to put together an individualized program of multidisciplinary study in support of the major or in another area of interest. In order to apply for a student-proposed distributed minor, the student must present a petition to the undergraduate advisor in the major department as early as possible and not later than two semesters prior to planned graduation. The petition must also contain a list of the specific courses proposed totaling at least 30 hours. At least 15 of those hours shall be at the 300 or 400 (upper-division) level. Course work must come from outside the major area of study and represent multiple departments. The list should indicate courses already completed (including semester taken and grade received), courses in progress and semester for planned completion. Documentation for distributed minor programs of study must be included with the Application for Degree.

Double Major. University Studies allows students to have two majors in lieu of or in conjunction with a minor. Only one degree is awarded but the transcript will indicate both majors. Because there is one degree being earned, degree requirements must be completed only once.

Adding Majors or Raising Minors. Students who already have a degree from UNM and who are not enrolled in a graduate program may complete the requirements for another major or raise a previously earned minor to a second major. These students must apply for admissions to University Studies, declare the appropriate major on the application, and register as a senior.

Dual Degree in University College. Students wishing to pursue a second baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 30 hours in addition to those required for the first degree and must choose majors and minors different from the first degree. The minor used for the first degree may be raised to a major, but the first major may not be used as the minor for the second degree.

Combined Curricula. Dual degrees from both University Studies and another college may be obtained upon completion of the established program as approved by the Dean of each college. Interested students should consult with each dean before the end of their sophomore year.

Courses for Which Degree Credit is Not Given. The Native American Studies does not accept any courses which are by nature remedial, tutorial, skills or preparatory. Examples include: any course numbered 100 and such courses as Women Studies 181. Except as noted below, the NATV Program does not accept: practicum or activity courses such as typing, PE, dance or shop work; courses that are primarily technical or vocational, such as courses in Radiography, Business Technology Programs, Medical and Biomedical Technology, etc.

Courses oriented toward professional practice, such as those taught by Nursing, Pharmacy, Elementary Education, Health Promotion, Health Education, Physical Ed, Professional PE, Art Ed, Music Ed and Leisure Programs, etc.; or any course with a “T” suffix; courses taken in a law or medical school are considered credit in those programs of study. Students may enroll in these courses in pursuit of their own interests, but should not expect degree credits from NATV for them. Proposed exceptions may be are made based on individual programs of study and their demonstrated applicability to one of the four NATV-BA areas of emphasis.

Departmental Honors. Students are urged to consult with the Native American Studies Department about the requirements of departmental honors programs. Probation, Suspension, Dismissal students enrolled in the Native American Studies Department/University College (NATV/US) are placed on probation at the end of any semester in which the cumulative grade point average on The University of New Mexico work falls below 2.00. Students on probation are liable for suspension at the end of any semester in which the cumulative grade point average does not rise to 2.00 or better. Students placed on probation may be continued on probation if they substantially raise the cumulative grade point average and are making reasonable progress in meeting degree course requirements. “Substantially raise the cumulative grade point average…” is defined as earning a semester grade point average of at least 2.5. If these conditions are not met, the student is suspended from The University of New Mexico. “Reasonable progress…” is defined as at least one-half of the student’s course load being in courses offered by the NATV/US (exclusive of Introductory Studies courses) and courses taught by departments outside NATV/US which apply towards the student’s major, minor or group requirements. The first suspension is one semester. The second suspension is one year. The third suspension is five years. While suspended, students may take correspondence courses through The University of New Mexico Extended University to raise their grade point average. Students are reminded that a maximum of 30 credit hours of The University of New Mexico correspondence courses may be applied toward a degree. At the end of the suspension period, a student must apply for readmission to NATV/US with a written petition addressed to the Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs. All petitions for readmission or revocation of suspension must be received by the University Advisement Center no later than one week prior to the start of the semester in which the student wishes to return.