myCSUSM
Building Indigenous Leaders for Tomorrow
Discover your path through place-based learning, community engagement, and tribal sovereignty at CSU San Marcos
Our Responsibilities as Relatives
American Indian Studies is grounded in the sovereignty, histories, and living cultures
of Indigenous peoples.
We honor Indigenous knowledge as relational, place-based, and accountable to community.
Guided by the Four R’s we work as responsible relatives who learn with Native nations.
- Responsibility means that knowledge must serve the people and support Indigenous futures.
- Reciprocity ensures research and learning are collaborative, not extractive.
- Respect upholds sovereignty, cultural protocols, and Indigenous intellectual traditions.
- Relationships sustain our work, connecting students, tribal communities, and the university.
Together, these values guide us toward a future where sovereignty is honored, Indigenous knowledge is valued, and Native nations thrive.
What Makes Us Different
Community Centered
Every course includes tribal community engagement
Place-Based Learning
Field trips, guest lectures, and participatory research
Career-Ready
Graduates prepared for tribal governments, healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors
Culturally Grounded
Four specialized concentrations to match your interests
Our Community
We are more than an academic department. At CSUSM, American Indian Studies connects
rigorous scholarship with Tribal communities, preparing students to lead in governance,
education, healthcare, and beyond.
Recognized Faculty
Our faculty are nationally recognized scholars and committed partners to Native Nations
across California.
