Study race, identity, power, and culture to understand how you can help create a more just and connected world. The Department of Ethnic Studies at NAU invites you to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action.
5.2% growth in Ethnic Studies graduates entering the workforce
Immerse yourself into the study of race, ethnicity, culture, and power, and how these forces shape people’s lives, communities, and the opportunities available to them. If you’re passionate about social justice and cultural expression or interested in history and the ways systems influence belonging and access, Ethnic Studies is a compelling way to examine the world around you.
In this field, you’ll explore the histories and lived experiences of communities of color in the U.S and globally, while developing skills in critical thinking, research, communication, and collaboration. With a degree in Ethnic Studies, you can pursue careers in a range of fields, including education, public service, law, healthcare, media, business, nonprofit leadership, and community advocacy. You can also pair Ethnic Studies with another major to bring cultural insight and equity-minded thinking to any profession.
The Department of Ethnic Studies at NAU stands out among Arizona’s public universities for its focus on the diverse, intersectional communities of color that shape the U.S. experience. Here, you’ll study these histories and cultures in an immersive environment designed to support your growth academically and personally.
Find your place in a program that prioritizes mentorship, feedback, and collaboration to help you build professional skills in writing, communication, and analysis. Through engaged learning and close faculty mentorship, you’ll develop the perspective and tools to thrive at NAU and beyond.
As an Ethnic Studies major at NAU, you will:
Engage in dialogue, cultural celebrations, leadership development, and community service with peers in a student-led club or organization.
Ethnic Studies is inherently interdisciplinary, and at NAU, you’ll collaborate with students and faculty across programs like Women’s and Gender Studies, Applied Indigenous Studies, Sociology, and Disability Studies. You’ll find that these connections open doors to collaborative research and enriching professional development that broadens your perspective and expands your network.
From your first day to your final project, you’ll find support that meets you where you are. Small classes, accessible faculty, and a strong sense of community are non-negotiables at NAU and ensure that you feel supported both as a student and as a person at every stage of your educational experience.
As an Ethnic Studies major, you’ll find that faculty mentorship is central to your experience at NAU. Professors work closely with you to strengthen core academic and professional skills like critical thinking, research, and public speaking. Mentorship extends beyond the classroom too, through opportunities to contribute to research, present at conferences, and engage in community-based projects.
Your degree in Ethnic Studies will signal to employers that you think critically and lead with empathy, and these skills are valued across industries and professions. Through research, writing, discussion, and applied learning, you’ll be able to connect ideas across contexts and apply them to real-world challenges.
You’ll also be in a position to pursue an advanced degree in law, education, or the social sciences, or explore careers in business, public service, healthcare, media, nonprofit leadership, or advocacy. No matter the path you choose, you’ll be prepared to navigate complex environments with cultural awareness and purpose.
Take the next step to turning learning into action and join a community committed to understanding the past, engaging the present, and shaping a more equitable future.
Support students who are learning to bridge cultures and challenge inequity. Your gift to the Department of Ethnic Studies helps provide scholarships and research opportunities that empower students to make a meaningful difference.