American Indian Studies

The American Indian Studies Program (AIST) seeks to apply the collective knowledge, expertise and perspectives from both the Indian communities and the university to enhance the quality of life among Indian peoples.   In addition, the Program seeks to facilitate the academic appreciation of Indian peoples, their histories, cultures and contemporary concerns.  In collaboration with area Tribes and with other departments and programs on the University of Idaho campus, the American Indian Studies Program will help initiate and coordinate the offering of various academic courses, programs of study, and special events, as well as offering student internships and applied faculty research projects.

Initiated during the Fall semester of 2000, the American Indian Studies Program has implemented a Minor in American Indian Studies.  In the Spring semester of 2007, the program began offering a Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.  If you are interested in beginning your coursework toward either the Bachelor's level Minor or the Master's of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies,  academic advising and course registration is available.  To assist you in anticipation of the AIST curriculum expectations and goals, a set of Teaching and Learning Outcomes have been developed.  Upon graduation, you will be asked to assess the degree to which the AIST curriculum met these learning outcomes.

Financial aid is available for qualified students, including diversity scholarships through the Office of Multicultural Affairs and various University of Idaho Scholarships.The AIST Program is being offered in partnership with the Coeur d'Alene and Nez Perce Tribes, and under the guidance of the Native American Advisory Board of the University of Idaho.  With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the regional tribes of Idaho, Washington and Oregon and the University of Idaho on November 3, 2000, the University of Idaho has entered a new and exciting collaborative relationship with the Indian communities it serves.