Program Overview
The Indian Law graduate certificate at ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law equips law students with expertise in tribal and federal Indian law. Through practical experiences with tribal organizations, scholarship opportunities, and externships, the program prepares students for careers representing governments, businesses, and tribes in Indian law matters. The program is highly respected and offers a unique focus on practical engagement with tribal communities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Indian Law graduate certificate within ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law provides law students with the legal expertise to practice Indian law. The program offers practical experiences with tribal organizations, as well as opportunities for scholarship and externships.
Objectives:
The program equips law students with extensive knowledge in:
- Tribal law
- Federal Indian law
- Practical legal skills in the context of Indian law
- Opportunities to work with tribal organizations through internships and externships
- Develop research and writing skills related to Indian law issues
- The program is designed to prepare students for careers in representing state, federal, or tribal governments or businesses that work with tribes.
- Established more than 30 years ago, the program is considered one of the most respected Indian law programs in the nation.
Outline:
Program Content:
- Focus on the developing field of Indian Law
- Engagement with Arizona's 22 tribes and tribes across the nation
- Offers practical experiences with tribal organizations
- Culminates in a substantial paper on an Indian law topic
Structure:
- Requires a minimum of 21 credit hours
- Consists of mandatory and elective courses
- Mandatory courses:
- Federal Indian Law I (LAW 632)
- Federal Indian Law II (LAW 704)
- Indian Legal Clinic (LAW 776)
- Two advanced Indian law courses approved by the faculty director
- Remaining credit hours consist of faculty-approved electives
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- Each course requires a grade of "C" or above to fulfill the certificate requirements.
- Application of legal knowledge to practical situations
- Research and writing skills
- Ability to engage with tribal communities and organizations
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- Traditional classroom lectures and discussions
- Legal clinics with practical experience
- Individualized research and writing guidance for the substantial paper
- Opportunities for guest lectures and workshops with experts in the field
Faculty:
- Nationally recognized experts in Indian law
- Engage in outreach and public service to tribal nations
Unique Approaches:
- Strong emphasis on practical experience and engagement with tribal communities
- Opportunity to work on real-world legal issues affecting tribal nations
Careers:
Career Opportunities:
- Representing state, federal, or tribal governments
- Representing companies that do business with tribes
- Working for tribes in public service, private practice, and nonprofit organizations
Career Outcomes:
- Graduates are in high demand by employers seeking expertise in Indian law
- Alumni are making a difference in Indian Country by working on critical legal issues affecting tribal communities
Other:
- The program is located in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
