B.A. Diné Studies
Track

Rooted in Diné language and culture, Our mission is to advance quality post-secondary student learning and development to ensure the well-being of Diné People.

Bachelor of Arts in Diné Studies

PROGRAM MISSION

 

The mission of the Diné Studies baccalaureate degree program is to produce graduates highly proficient in spoken Diné language, cultural teachings, and ways of thought, who embody these ways-of-being, and who are well-prepared and committed to revitalization and re-normalization of Diné language and cultural teachings in all areas of Diné society for generations to come.

Dį́į́’ nááhaigóó ólta’ígíí binahjį’ ółta’í bohónéedzą́ą̨go Diné bizaad dóó Diné bi’ó’ool’įįł yíhwiidooł’ááł áko yíní bíighahgo yee sizį́į dóó yee tséékosgo náásgóó t’áá bee Diné ídlínígi át’éego nooséłí dóó t’áá náhwiiz’ą́ą́ nít’éé’ Diné yee yiká’adoolwoł.

PROGRAM VISION

 

The Diné Studies baccalaureate degree program envisions a future where its graduates play a critical role in reconnecting Dine people to Diné language and culture for a better future.

Dį́į́’ nááhaigóó ólta’ígíí binahjį’ ołta’í Diné bizaad dóó Diné bi’ó’ool’įįł t’áá yíneel’ánígi át’éego yínáhwiidool’ááł dóó hółdzilee yee néidoodzįįł áko náásgóó nizhónígo yee nínáa dooleeł.

PROGRAM MISSION

 

The mission of the Diné Studies baccalaureate degree program is to produce graduates highly proficient in spoken Diné language, cultural teachings, and ways of thought, who embody these ways-of-being, and who are well-prepared and committed to revitalization and re-normalization of Diné language and cultural teachings in all areas of Diné society for generations to come.

Dį́į́’ nááhaigóó ólta’ígíí binahjį’ ółta’í bohónéedzą́ą̨go Diné bizaad dóó Diné bi’ó’ool’įįł yíhwiidooł’ááł áko yíní bíighahgo yee sizį́į dóó yee tséékosgo náásgóó t’áá bee Diné ídlínígi át’éego nooséłí dóó t’áá náhwiiz’ą́ą́ nít’éé’ Diné yee yiká’adoolwoł.

PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

What students will know and be able to do as a result of the program.  Drawing from holistic exposure to the four areas of the Navajo framework for lifelong learning and development, students will:

BA SLO 1 – Speakread and writes Navajo with a degree of proficiency adequate to carry on a life and career through Navajo language.
BA SLO 2 – Prepare and present orally, a major paper or project evaluating challenges and opportunities for a Navajo language or culture topic.
BA SLO 3 – Apply Navajo knowledge, problem solving and decision making to individual, community & Navajo Nation situations.
BA SLO 4 – Evaluate and assess self-identity.
BA SLO 5 – Synthesize concepts from various sub-disciplines of Navajo knowledge for application to contemporary situations.
BA SLO 6 – Analyze contemporary Navajo challenges and opportunities and formulate recommendations that promote outcomes embodying hózhǫ́.

Possible Diné Studies BA Program Student Learning Outcomes (based on input)
1 BA SLO 1 Demonstrate oral and written proficiency, and grammatically correct use of Navajo appropriate to 400 level course proficiency.
2 BA SLO 2 Speak, read and write Navajo with a degree of proficiency adequate to carry on a life and career through Navajo language.
3 Prepare and present orally, a major paper or project evaluating challenges and opportunities for a Navajo language or culture topic.
4 BA SLO 3 Apply Navajo knowledge, problem solving and decision making to individual, community & Navajo Nation situations
5 BA SLO 4 Live/practice SNBH (in daily life, with classmates, instructors, families, ceremonies, on campus, etc.)
6 BA SLO 5 Demonstrate pride and have integrity in Navajo Ways, including Navajo language
7 BA SLO 6 Evaluate/Assess their self-identity
8 BA SLO 8 Synthesize concepts from various sub-disciplines of Navajo knowledge for application to contemporary situations.
9 BA SLO 9 Analyze contemporary Navajo challenges and opportunities and formulate recommendations drawing from holistic Navajo paradigm.
2025 – 2026 Checklist
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Diné Studies Track (123 – 125 credits)
COURSE NO. & TITLECreditTransferGrade
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (39-40 hrs)
COMMUNICATIONS (6 hrs)
ENG 101 College Composition I3.0  
ENG 102 College Composition II3.0  
HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS (6 hrs)
Student must choose two courses with different prefixes from:
ARH 110; ARH 211; CW 208; ENG 231; ENG 233; FA 106; FA 115; FA 178;
HUM 152; LIB 110;
 3.0  
 3.0  
MATHEMATICS (4.0 hrs based on major)
or another MTH class as identified by degree program & std placement
MTH 110 College Algebra4.0  
NAVAJO STUDIES (9-10 hrs) One NAV course, determined by placement test
NAV 101,102,201,202 or 2113.0/4.0  
NIS 111 Foundations of Navajo Culture3.0  
NIS 221 Navajo History to Present3.0  
LABORATORY SCIENCE (8-9 hrs)
Choose one Life Science with lab and one Physical Science with lab;
excludes PHS 110
BIO4.0  
 4.0  
SOCIAL & BEHAVORIAL SCIENCES (6 hrs) 1 HST plus 1 addtl crs
Choice of one: HST 101, 102, 135, 136
ANT 111; ANT 112; ANT 116; ANT 160; ANT 216; ECO 111; ECO 200; ECO 201;
NAS 111; NAS 200; NAS 250; POS 111; POS 170; PSY 111; PSY 240; SOC 111;
SOC 215; SOC 230
HST3.0  
 3.0  
Lower Division Program Requirements (22 hrs)
NAV 212 Navajo Literacy and Grammar II3.0  
NIS 220 Navajo Oral History3.0  
NIS 222 Contemporary Indian Affairs3.0  
NIS225/ANT225 Indians of the US & North Amer3.0  
NIS226/POS226 Navajo Nation Government3.0  
NIS 261 Navajo Oral Traditional and Styles3.0  
PSY 290/SWO 290 Research Methods4.0  
61-62 hrs
STUDENT: ID: 
FACULTY ADVISOR: DATE: 
COURSE NO. & TITLECreditTransferGrade
UPPER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS (62-63 hrs)
Junior Semester I
NIS 315 Diné Critical Thinking and Writing3.0  
NIS 320 Diné Bina’nitin Values & Ethics3.0  
NIS 340 Diné Traditional & Contemporary Leadership3.0  
NIS 350 Diné Spirituality3.0  
MTH 213/PSY 213 Statistics4.0  
16 hrs
Junior Semester II
NAS 413 Indigenous Research Methodologies4.0  
NIS 360 Diné Economic System3.0  
NIS 361 Diné Cultural Resource Management3.0  
NIS 362 Diné Envir Knowledge & Sustainable Develop3.0  
13 hrs
Senior Semester III
NIS 410 Diné Literature Moral & Ethics Philosophy3.0  
NIS 415 Diné Family Traditional Law3.0  
NIS 420 Diné Social Systems and Issues3.0  
NIS 425 Diné Men and Women in Society3.0  
NIS 460 Diné Studies Internship3.0  
15 hrs
Senior Semester IV
NIS 450 Diné Resource Management3.0  
NIS 455 Diné Place-based Knowledge, Geography3.0  
NIS 458 Diné Energy Development3.0  
NIS 465 Diné Traditional Seminar3.0  
NIS 495 Senior Capstone3.0  
15 hrs
Elective
NAV3.0/4.0  
3-4 hrs
Prog Req 62-63 hrs
 
a). All AA Diné Studies graduates will be accepted as juniors
b). All others Associate degree holders will be placed as freshman or sophomore based on transcript evaluation
c). A minimum of 122 semester hrs must be completed to fulfill requirements for BA degree
Completed all requirements for: AA – Diné Studies: /   /
Conferred:
MUST pass all courses with “C” grade or higher 

DEAN'S OFFICE

David P. Nez
Dean of Diné Studies and Education
Tsaile Campus

Phone: (928) 724-6701
Email: davnez@dinecollege.edu

Annette Lang
Administrative Assistant
Tsaile Campus

Phone: 928-724-6658
Email: alang@dinecollege.edu

About Diné Studies Track

Established in 2018, the Bachelor of Arts in Diné Studies fulfills the founders’ vision that Diné College would be a premier institution providing education to perpetuate and sustain the Diné language and culture. Since its foundation in 1968 as the first tribally-controlled higher education institution, Diné College has been focused on creating opportunities for in-depth learning of Diné culture, language, and to reaffirm Diné identity. The Bachelors of Arts in Diné Studies plays a crucial role in this effort.

Graduates in Diné Studies will apply their unique Diné knowledge, thought, language and culture to all aspects of their daily lives, including family and community. However, the Bachelor of Arts in Diné Studies also provides pathways for graduates to further academic studies and/or professional career options in a diverse array of fields. The central purpose of Diné Studies is to nurture students and graduates to possess the skills and knowledge to address professional situations by uniquely applying Diné perspectives.

Not only does the Diné Studies program prepare graduates for professional careers, but it also helps to meet the diverse needs of the Navajo Nation in the following areas: Leadership; Diné Language Communications; Government and Law; Animal Husbandry and Medicine; Family and Social Issues; Protection and Stewardship of Diné Cultural Knowledge; Public Health and Wellness; Archaeology and Anthropology; Diné Culture and Language Education; Agriculture and Natural Resources; Tribal Sovereignty; and as well as others.

G. OJ A. Vecenti, Faculty
928-724-6663

gvecenti@dinecollege.edu