The American Indigenous Studies program was initaited in fall 2009 by the College (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the time). This program, in cooperation with the American Indian Affairs office, the proposed American Indian Cultural Center, and the Native American Student Association, provides a cornerstone for creating a welcoming environment on campus for Native American students and scholars.<br><br>American Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary program involving a number of Minnesota State Mankato departments and programs concentrated in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. AIS provides an interdisciplinary and broad understanding of Native Americans, especially the Dakota, and their respective ways of life in the past, present, and future. AIS welcomes all studentsNative and nonNativeto pursue knowledge of American Indigenous cultures, languages, histories, politics, media, and other topics. The AIS program will prepare students to pursue graduate studies and careers located in tribal communities or in ethnically diverse settings.<br><br>The American Indigenous Studies program at Minnesota State University, Mankato offers both a Bachelor of Art degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. The program has a small dedicated faculty and a larger group of affiliated faculty from a number of departments including Sociology, Law Enforcement, English, History, Anthropology, and Social Work.