After more than 30 years of planning, a bachelor's degree in Native American studies may be a possibility for UNM students.
"People have been working on this since the first part of the '70s," said John Gates, director of Native American studies. "It has been in the works for a while."
While the curriculum has been approved, it has not been recognized yet, Gates said. The proposal still needs approval from the Faculty Senate and the Board of Regents.
"We are hoping that will be taken care of by September at the latest," Gates said.
Gates said partial responsibility for the 30-year delay lies in a lack of faculty commitment, adding that developing the major has taken a tremendous amount of effort.
"Getting people together and hammering this thing out took a lot of time and dedication," Gates said. "It was a lot of teamwork."
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The department already has a minor. The proposal for a major, which was presented on April 30, has been approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
According to the proposal, a major in Native American studies will require 36 hours of coursework with 18 hours in the core curriculum set by the department.
The remaining credit hours can be earned in upper-level classes from four possible concentrations: education and language, leadership and self-determination, arts and literature and interdisciplinary cultural and environmental studies.
Gates said unlike other departments, Native American studies will offer opportunities for application of the material through enriched learning.
"We want our students to have real-world experience," Gates said. "If their interest is education, we will get them into classrooms. We also have a lot of students who want to work for government agencies and with the tribal courts."
The proposal, which includes survey responses from over 100 students, suggests many UNM students are receptive to the idea of earning a degree in Native American studies.
"The survey was done sort of conservatively," Gates said. "But I predict a great interest. There are a lot of students who are looking to make that switch."
Vibeka Sandoval said she wants to earn two degrees at UNM - one in family studies and one in Native American studies.
While she is already working toward a minor in Native American studies, she said she is crossing her fingers for the proposal to pass.
"It will be sad if I don't get it," Sandoval said. "But if I don't get it, I don't get it."
According to the proposal, a doctorate or master's degree is offered in Native American studies at 13 universities, and a baccalaureate major is available at 27 other universities in the country.
"With the cultural makeup of the state of New Mexico, this is a program that should be offered," Gates said. "We think this is going to be a great recruiting tool for UNM, especially with international students and other Native students who want to learn more about this culture."
Gates said he is optimistic the proposal will pass and that the major will be offered next spring.
"We are making progress," he said.
