About this Program
The Master of Tribal Administration and Governance (MTAG) is an applied degree designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work as an administrator in a tribal government. Students in the program may already serve as tribal administrators, council members, or tribal leaders. Students who currently work or aspire to work professionally in tribal governments or management positions will benefit from this program, which emphasizes both the acquisition of academic knowledge and the application of practical skills.
The curriculum is based on the roles that tribal administrators, leaders, and professionals play in formal and informal situations that support tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Program delivery is designed to accommodate working professionals and support existing commitments to families and home communities.
Acquired Skills
- explain and analyze the legal, cultural, and political contours of tribal sovereignty
- formulate and apply effective approaches to strategic, operational, human resource, project, and fiscal management in tribal governance contexts
- demonstrate effective applied research and methodological skills regarding tribal sovereignty, governance management, and leadership
- demonstrate effective communication skills regarding tribal sovereignty, governance management, and leadership
- identify, analyze, and apply the leadership qualities required of tribal administrators
- demonstrate the globally contextualized intercultural competencies inherently necessary for effective tribal administration and governance
Career Possibilities
Admissions and Scholarships
- Wells Fargo American Indian Studies Scholarship awards ten Native American or First Nations students majoring in programs in the Department of American Indian Studies $2,500 scholarships.
- Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 through a generous gift from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The SMSC scholarship program is designed to recruit and retain talented American Indian students with demonstrated financial need to the University of Minnesota.
- Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award
To learn more about these and other available scholarships, visit the American Indian Studies Scholarships page.
Requirements
In addition to the general application instructions provided by the Graduate School, visit the MTAG program page for specific application instructions and deadlines related to the program. Also visit the program requirements page linked above for additional information.
- The MTAG program admits a new cohort of 15 students every fall.
- Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.00
- A bachelor’s degree*
- Unofficial transcripts or academic records
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
*Under exceptional circumstances, students may be admitted to MTAG/MTRES without a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. Applicants will make the case for such special admission in their personal statement. In addition, the admissions committee will consider the applicant’s job history and/or professional experience, any certifications or diplomas earned, and letters of recommendation. Note that at a minimum, applicants must have at least 10 years of significant, relevant experience working with tribal governments or tribal communities. The admissions committee will review all materials and make a recommendation to the Department of American Indian Studies. If approved by both entities, the Department will then request a policy exception from the UMD Graduate School Office, who will make the final decision.
Faculty Highlights
About Rebecca M. Webster and Joseph Bauerkemper