A Native American dancer in colorful regalia performs at a powwow. The motion blur captures the energy of the dance, highlighting feathered headdresses, beadwork, and bright fabric in red, blue, yellow, and green. A Native American dancer in colorful regalia performs at a powwow. The motion blur captures the energy of the dance, highlighting feathered headdresses, beadwork, and bright fabric in red, blue, yellow, and green. A Native American dancer in colorful regalia performs at a powwow. The motion blur captures the energy of the dance, highlighting feathered headdresses, beadwork, and bright fabric in red, blue, yellow, and green.

Indigenous Studies for Social Studies Educators
Undergraduate certificate

Overview of Indigenous studies for social studies educators

The Indigenous Studies for Social Studies Educators Undergraduate Certificate gives you the opportunity to better understand Indigenous histories and cultures. Students pursuing this certificate will take courses in history, Ojibwe and anthropology.

Program Snapshot

Location: On Campus
Program Length: 1-2 years
Credit Hours: 9

Why add Indigenous studies to your teaching toolkit?

Historically, social studies education in the United States has modified, excluded or erased Indigenous histories. The Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers released by the Michigan Department of Education call for social studies teachers across Michigan to be more knowledgeable about Indigenous history and intentionally teach about it, especially as related to Michigan.

This certificate helps you meet those expectations with real context, real skills and a deeper understanding of the histories you’re teaching. You’ll learn to work with evidence, address complex topics and bring Indigenous perspectives into your classroom with clarity and care.

Courses What Will Transfer Department information

Program highlights

As a student pursuing our certificate in Indigenous studies for social studies educators, you'll:

  • Gain basic language skills in Ojibwe: Build foundational communication skills in an Indigenous language.
  • Engage in evidence-based inquiries about societal change: Explore cultural complexities at local, national, tribal and international levels.
  • Learn how to explain the complexity of historical events: Use evidence and multiple inclusive perspectives to understand historical traumas, such as residential boarding schools.
  • Evaluate the role of resources on conflict and cooperation: Analyze how resources impact relationships between Indigenous populations and regions.
  • Work closely with faculty who are experts in their fields: Learn from instructors with deep knowledge of Indigenous studies and education.
A male Native American dancer in traditional regalia performs at a Pow wow. He wears a beaded headband and chest piece with geometric patterns in orange, blue and white, along with long fringe and braided ribbons.

Connect classroom learning to lived tradition

The Indigenous Studies for Social Studies Educators certificate gives students a deeper understanding of Native histories, cultures and perspectives. CMU’s annual “Celebrating Life” Pow wow offers a direct way to experience those traditions—through dancing, singing, food and community.

Held each spring, the Pow wow brings together people from across the U.S. and Canada to share stories, songs and culture in McGuirk Arena.

Learn more about the "Celebrating Life" Pow wow

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