Native American Language and Literature

Overview

Students learn how languages developed in North and South America. Native American language and literature programs differ in their focus. Some focus on language courses. Others focus more on Native American culture, including the history of different tribes, cultural traditions including spirituality and migration, and modern Native American literature. Courses can also cover current issues in Native culture.

Native American language and literature programs include topics such as:

• Tribal languages
• Myths, stories, and writings

Concentrations

In Native American language and literature programs, students may be able to specialize in:

• Conversation
• Dialects
• Folklore
• Interpreting
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Teaching
• Translation

Schools

Very few community colleges offer associate degree programs in Native American language and literature. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study to complete.

Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in Native American language and literature. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Linguistics
• Native American Studies
• Second Language, General

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Interpreters and Translators
• University and College Teachers

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Anthropologists
• Archeologists
• Historians

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

• Contemporary U.S. Issues
• Geography
• Humanities
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
• Political Science
• Second Language
• Sociology
• US Ethnic and Gender Studies
• US History

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores. In addition, some programs require you to be able to speak, read, and understand a specific Native American language at an advanced level.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Academic writing sample

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

• Civilization and Cultural History
• Contemporary Social Problems
• Conversation and Composition
• Diversity and Race Relations
• History of Native American tribes
• Languages and Dialects
• Linguistics
• Literature and Folklore
• Study in a Native American language (beginning, intermediate, advanced)

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs in Native American language and literature typically require:

• Required courses
• Thesis (master's degree)
• Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
• Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Things to Know

Many schools offer Native American language and literature courses as part of their Native American studies programs. Programs may also be offered through linguistics departments.

Colleges that do not have complete programs in Native American language and literature may offer elective courses as part of a major in interdisciplinary studies or liberal arts.

Schools

East Side Area

Wenatchee Valley College

• World Languages Pre-Major

King-Snohomish Area

University of Washington - Seattle

• American Indian Studies

West Side Area

Evergreen State College, The

• Native American and Indigenous Studies