Program at a glance
How much does it cost?
Learn more about how to afford a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
How long does it take?
This minor is designed to be completed with any major in four years.
What will I learn in an Indigenous studies minor?
In the Indigenous studies minor, you'll take courses from a variety of disciplines to learn more about the rights of Indigenous people as well as their languages, cultures and socio-political systems.
All students in the minor take a common course in Native American identities and cultures, which focuses on the history and culture of Native Americans, including effects of past and present discrimination and struggles for self-determination. A flexible curriculum allows you to customize the rest of your minor with a selection of courses that focus on a variety of topics, including Native American literature and history, the Northern Paiute language, and Indians of the Great Basin. If you want to study cultures outside the U.S., you can take courses in topics such as the Amazon, the Basque country or the Aztecs.
Topic-based courses include environmentalism, cross-cultural journalism, ancient archaeology and more. These options allow you to select courses that complement your major or match up with your personal interests and career goals.
Courses in the minor are drawn from a wide range of departments including anthropology; geography; history; gender, race and identity; and journalism, among others.
The minor is offered by the Department of Gender, Race and Identity in the College of Liberal Arts. The department offers degree programs that explore inequality and social justice to prepare graduates for careers in public advocacy, politics, education and more.
Professors in the Department of Gender, Race and Identity represent a variety of academic disciplines and bring an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research that focuses on better understanding the diverse range of human experiences.
Take the next step
Careers with a minor in Indigenous studies
In addition to providing graduates with a more informed understanding of U.S. history and global cultures, a minor in Indigenous studies offers training that can be an asset in a wide range of career paths.
The minor can prepare you for work in government agencies, from the local level on up to federal agencies, working across a range of topics, including land management or social services. Combined with skills gained in your major, the minor in Indigenous studies can also help prepare you for a career in museums, in education in research, in advocacy or community organizing, and in non-profits.
The minor in Indigenous studies will also teach you skills that can be used across a wide range of industries, including the ability to read and understand information from a variety of disciplines, oral and written communication skills, and critical thinking and analysis. With a minor in Indigenous studies, you'll also be prepared to go on to graduate school for further study.
You can afford the University of Nevada, Reno
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
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