Dear MPA Students,

Please register for 2026 MPA classes sooner. They are filling up quickly!

Also, make sure to purchase your textbooks at the university’s bookstore or other retailers.

This online course introduces students to the foundation and contemporary applications of tribal law and policy in the United States. Students will examine the legal principles that define Indigenous sovereignty, exploring both tribal contexts and the government-to-government relationships between Native nations and federal, state, and local governments. Key topics include the history of federal Indian law, tribal governance structures, treaty rights, economic development, natural resource management, and current policy debates impacting Native communities.

Designed for Master of Public Administration students, the course emphasizes the practical implications of sovereignty and federal Indian law for those working in fields such as governance, education, health, and environmental regulation. Through readings, case studies, and applied policy analysis, students will gain the knowledge and tools to engage respectfully and effectively with Native nations as sovereign governments and partners in public policy.