Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Nations
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Nations is designed for students seeking entry-level positions with an Indigenous Nation. Students are provided with instruction and academic support in courses unique to the political, legal, economic, and social status of Indigenous peoples and their respective communities. MCCCD offers this unique program in recognition of the special political "trust relationship" between Indigenous Nations and the federal government of the United States. The curriculum emphasizes inherent Indigenous sovereignty, self-governance, self-determination, federal Indian law, and policy that currently addresses development on Indigenous lands. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Nations (3078) is also available.
Details
Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Academic Plan Code
5078
Total credits required
20
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027
Federal Indian policy stipulates tribal preference in hiring, which should be considered in seeking employment with tribal nations and selected federal agencies.
At the start of the program, students should seek advice from prospective tribal employers for career opportunities.
What You'll Learn
- Analyze the various ways in which Indigenous Peoples identify and organize themselves in relation to pre- and post-colonial contact.
- Examine the Indigenous concept of interconnectedness with respect to the Sacred, which is holistically and organically inclusive of culture, homeland, worldview, identity, nature, and sustainability.
- Assess the diverse political, economic, legal, cultural, and social systems of Indigenous Nations and the impact of the laws and policies of the United States on Indigenous Nations and their sovereignty.
- Evaluate contemporary issues that challenge Indigenous Nations.
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC105 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | Critical course Gateway course | C | 3 | |
| CPD103BE | Native American Cultural Pride And Awareness | Critical course | 2 | ||
| AIS/SOC141 | Sovereign Indian Nations | C, H, SB | 3 | ||
| AIS201 | Indigenous Nation Building | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGT253 | Owning and Operating a Small Business | 3 | |||
| AIS/SOC160 | American Indian Law | C, H | 3 | ||
| AIS/SOC112 or AIS203 or AIS+++ |
American Indian Policy or Fundamentals of Economic Development for Indigenous Nations or Any American Indian Studies course not taken in Required Courses. | Restricted Electives | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC105 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | Critical course Gateway course | C | 3 | |
| CPD103BE | Native American Cultural Pride And Awareness | Critical course | 2 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC141 | Sovereign Indian Nations | C, H, SB | 3 | ||
| AIS201 | Indigenous Nation Building | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGT253 | Owning and Operating a Small Business | 3 | |||
| AIS/SOC160 | American Indian Law | C, H | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/SOC112 or AIS203 or AIS+++ |
American Indian Policy or Fundamentals of Economic Development for Indigenous Nations or Any American Indian Studies course not taken in Required Courses. | Restricted Electives | 3 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- H = Historical Awareness
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://scottsdalecc.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5078-SCC05
Disclaimer
All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.