Bachelors of Arts in Navajo Nation Law
PROGRAM MISSION
Diné College’s Bachelor of Arts in Navajo Nation Law is dedicated to supporting the Navajo Nation, and other tribal nations, in the restoration, protection, and enhancement of tribal sovereignty, Indigenous
rights, and traditional forms of governance. The program offers tribal critical thinking engagements of legal theory, case studies, and strategies while exploring the history of federal Indian law, tribal self determination, and trust responsibilities unique to the Navajo Nation.
PROGRAM GOALS
This program will instill understandings of legal foundations for community members who wish to
pursue careers as legal scholars, advocates, and/or policymakers, and law related educators.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- . Knowledge of the unique legal and policy relationships between the Navajo Nation, states, and federal entities that Navajo Nation offices interface with.
- Knowledge of Navajo Nation fundamental law, civil law and criminal law.
- Knowledge of group and individual rights and responsibilities.
- Knowledge of legal process and procedure, including the practical application of laws on the Navajo Nation.
- Understanding of the foundational principles of governance, including the legislative process, regulations/policies, judicial systems, formal and informal mechanisms for ensuring societal accountability.
- Understanding of laws and judicial doctrines, including comparative analysis between different governance structures and Indigenous governance.
- Master key skill-sets in legal writing and methods, research, and legal reasoning and oral advocacy.
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT MATRIX & RESULTS
2025–2026 Checklist – BA Navajo Nation Law (125 Credits)
General Education Requirements (65 hrs)
| NAV 140 Intro to Navajo Public Speaking | 4.0 |
| ENG 101 College Composition I | 3.0 |
| HUM Elective | 3.0 |
| HST | 3.0 |
| NAV 101 or NAV 102 Navajo Language | 4.0 |
Freshman Spring Semester II (16 hrs)
| NIS 120 Intro to Navajo Leadership | 3.0 |
| ENG 102 College Composition II | 3.0 |
| HUM Elective | 3.0 |
| MTH 110 College Algebra | 4.0 |
| NIS 111 Foundations of Navajo Culture | 3.0 |
Sophomore Fall Semester III (16 hrs)
| LAW 200 Intro Legal Studies | 3.0 |
| BUS 204 Business Law | 3.0 |
| NIS 118 Navajo Fundamental Law I | 3.0 |
| NIS 221 Navajo History to Present | 3.0 |
| Lab Science I | 4.0 |
Sophomore Spring Semester IV (16 hrs)
| LAW 205 Intro to Legal Writing | 3.0 |
| NIS 135 Navajo Fundamental Law II | 3.0 |
| NIS 226 / POS 226 Navajo Nation Government | 3.0 |
| Lab Science II | 4.0 |
| SBS Elective (200 Level) | 3.0 |
Upper Division Requirements (60 hrs)
| LAW 300 Intermediate Legal Writing | 3.0 |
| LAW 305 Legal Ethics | 3.0 |
| LAW 308 Legal Externship I | 3.0 |
| Elective (300 Level) | 3.0 |
| Elective (300 Level) | 3.0 |
Junior Spring Semester II (15 hrs)
| LAW 310 Advanced Legal Writing | 3.0 |
| LAW 315 Family Law | 3.0 |
| LAW 308 Legal Externship I | 3.0 |
| Elective (300/400 Level) | 3.0 |
| Elective (300/400 Level) | 3.0 |
Senior Fall Semester III (15 hrs)
| LAW 400 Navajo Criminal Law | 6.0 |
| LAW 405 Legal Research | 3.0 |
| LAW 410 Legal Externship II | 3.0 |
| Elective (400 Level) | 3.0 |
Senior Spring Semester IV (15 hrs)
| LAW 410 Legal Externship II | 3.0 |
| LAW 415 Navajo Civil Law | 6.0 |
| NIS 415 Dine Family Traditional Law | 3.0 |
| Elective (400 Level) | 3.0 |
Electives
ARH 110, ARH 211, CW 208, ENG 231, ENG 233, FA 106, FA 115, FA 178, HUM 152
SBS ElectivesANT 111, ANT 112, ANT 116, ANT 160, ANT 216, ECO 111, ECO 200, ECO 210, NAS 111, NAS 200, NAS 250, POS 111, POS 170, PSY 111, PSY 240, SOC 111, SOC 215, SOC 230
300 LevelNIS 315, NIS 320, NIS 350
400 LevelBUS 460, EDU 496, MGT 420, MGT 460, NIS 410, NIS 420, NIS 425, NIS 465
Notes
Must be accepted into BA Navajo Nation Law program
All courses require a grade of “C” or higher
DEAN'S OFFICE
Tsaile Campus
Phone: (928) 724-6967
Email: pblackwater@dinecollege.edu