MA in Native American Studies in Norman United States | University of Oklahoma

The Department of Native American Studies, recognized as one of the nation's premier programs, draws students from varied backgrounds and disciplines who share a dedication to examining Native nations' sovereignty and Indigenous cultures through authentic Native American viewpoints.
Our Native American Studies program balances structure with adaptability. Presently, we facilitate in-depth exploration across four interconnected, interdisciplinary focus areas: History & Culture, Native Languages, Indigenous Community Planning, and Tribal Governance & Leadership. Learners collaborate with professors to tailor their studies by blending these emphasis areas to align with their academic and career aspirations.
The department provides three degree options for both undergraduate and graduate students, plus two specialized graduate certificate programs.
While achieving departmental status in 2015, Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma traces its origins to the university's formative years. American Indian students first proposed a museum dedicated to Indigenous histories and cultures as early as 1915. This concept evolved through the 1920s-1930s when university leaders Joseph Brandt and William Bizzell pursued establishing an American Indian institute - envisioning lecture spaces for Native-focused courses and forums addressing contemporary Indigenous issues. Though the physical facility remains unrealized, OU pioneered academic offerings with three groundbreaking courses in the 1930s, placing it among the first institutions to prioritize Native American studies. Over subsequent decades, OU expanded its Native-focused resources through specialized collections, faculty recruitment, and curriculum development. Persistent advocacy by Native students and community members ultimately transformed the program into a degree-granting unit in 1994, culminating in full departmental status within the College of Arts & Sciences by 2015.