FOR NON-LAWYERS
This program offers a strong foundation in Native American Law for nonlawyers who deal with contracts, negotiations or any other issues that demand knowledge of Native American self-governance issues, policy, regulation or business practice.
Designed for lawyers seeking additional knowledge in the field of Federal Indian Law. This program exposes lawyers to advanced legal education preparing for local or international practice focused on natural resources, criminal jurisdiction, gaming law and the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Recognized Leader in Native American Studies
Faculty Experts
Recognized Leader in Native American Studies
Faculty Experts
Experience the transformative power of the University of Oklahoma’s Indigenous Peoples Law program. Hear real-world success stories from our passionate alumni and discover how you can join the movement to protect and uplift Indigenous communities. Learn how you can make an impact.
To apply to the online M.L.S program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent).
To apply for the LL.M. program, applicants must have earned their first law degree — LL.B., J.D., or equivalent.
Please email a certified copy of all undergraduate and graduate college transcripts to the OU College of Law Graduate & International Programs at llm@law.ou.edu. If your undergraduate institution does not provide electronic transcripts, please have them mailed to the University of Oklahoma College of Law, 300 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019.
Your experience is important. Include detailed and professionally formatted documentation of your past education and work experience.
Include a 300–500-word statement on career goals and how the program aligns with those goals. Address educational history, including any disparity in undergrad GPA, and significant life events leading to the decision to apply to graduate school.
The program does not require the LSAT exam; however, students must be proficient in the English language. If English is not an applicant’s primary language, please refer to the OU Admissions website to review English proficiency requirements.
Credits: 1
This course examines the United States court system, the role of the Constitution in the United States legal system, and other foundational materials in United States law. You will gain an understanding of how law functions with various aspects of our society and how it plays an increasingly significant role in conflict resolution, civil liberties, contracts, and property agreements.
Credits: 2
This course traces the development of British colonial and federal policy towards Indigenous peoples in North America from the seventeenth century through the present day. The course focuses on the major policy initiatives of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including Removal, Allotment, Reorganization, Termination, and Self-Determination. At the completion of the course, you will have gained a better understanding of major events in the history of federal Indian law and policy, which will allow you to contribute meaningfully to current policy discussion and formulation.
Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of the history of U.S. Native American policy and the basic doctrines of Indian law. Topics covered include:
Credits: 3
This course traces the development of criminal jurisdiction rules in Indian country by the federal, state, and tribal governments. You will examine historical treaties, major federal statutes, and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
Credits: 1
This course provides you with an understanding of the most efficient and cost-effective tools for researching U.S. and tribal law. It includes lecture sessions, hands-on research training, and practical exercises across a range of subjects for both print and electronic sources.
Credits: 3
In this course, you will consider the impact of tribal, federal, and state laws and policies on Native American religions and cultures. This course covers:
Credits: 3
The Indian Child Welfare Act, passed by Congress in 1978, remains a controversial law that grants special rights to tribes and the parents of Indian children within state court systems. The requirements of the law raise significant issues for trial courts and often serve as the flashpoint of tribal/state disputes. To understand the conflicts raised by the ICWA, you must understand both the clash of sovereigns and the state laws involving children. In this course, you will learn the basic requirements of the ICWA and the varying ways states have interpreted those requirements.
Credits: 3
This course examines the relationship between Tribal Nations and the federal, state, and tribal governments. You will understand, analyze, and discuss the importance of tribal court to tribal sovereignty, the tribal people, and specific tribal cultures.
Credits: 3
This course examines the development of international law rules relating to the rights of indigenous peoples from the early 20th Century through the present. At the completion of this course, you will have gained an understanding of the international system and major international initiatives relating to the rights of indigenous peoples.
Credits: 3
The course builds on foundations in federal Indian law and basic principles of water law, as it is understood in the U.S. legal system. This course covers:
Credits: 3
In this course, you will review the legal and political history of federal/tribal relations including the rulings that recognized the use of gaming as a viable economic tool for tribal governments. In addition, this course covers:
Credits: 3
This course will examine civil jurisdiction, the most common area of jurisdictional claims in Indian country. Additionally, this course will cover:
Credits: 2
This course traces the development of British colonial and federal policy towards Indigenous peoples in North America from the seventeenth century through the present day. The course focuses on the major policy initiatives of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including Removal, Allotment, Reorganization, Termination, and Self-Determination. At the completion of the course, you will have gained a better understanding of major events in the history of federal Indian law and policy, which will allow you to contribute meaningfully to current policy discussion and formulation.
Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of the history of U.S. Native American policy and the basic doctrines of Indian law. Topics covered include:
Credits: 3
This course traces the development of criminal jurisdiction rules in Indian country by the federal, state, and tribal governments. You will examine historical treaties, major federal statutes, and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
Credits: 3
In this course, you will consider the impact of tribal, federal, and state laws and policies on Native American religions and cultures. This course covers:
Credits: 3
The Indian Child Welfare Act, passed by Congress in 1978, remains a controversial law that grants special rights to tribes and the parents of Indian children within state court systems. The requirements of the law raise significant issues for trial courts and often serve as the flashpoint of tribal/state disputes. To understand the conflicts raised by the ICWA, you must understand both the clash of sovereigns and the state laws involving children. In this course, you will learn the basic requirements of the ICWA and the varying ways states have interpreted those requirements.
Credits: 3
This course examines the development of international law rules relating to the rights of indigenous peoples from the early 20th Century through the present. At the completion of this course, you will have gained an understanding of the international system and major international initiatives relating to the rights of indigenous peoples.
Credits: 3
In this course, you will review the legal and political history of federal/tribal relations including the rulings that recognized the use of gaming as a viable economic tool for tribal governments. In addition, this course covers:
Credits: 3
This course will examine civil jurisdiction, the most common area of jurisdictional claims in Indian country. Additionally, this course will cover:
