School of Business and Social Science

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) promotes academic foundations for transferring to a university or four year college. Students may also choose to continue their education at Diné College where they can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology.

The Psychology BA program offered through the SBS division includes instruction in Navajo psychology, counseling and clinical psychology, health psychology, psychology and law, social and cultural psychology, developmental psychology, as well as decolonization, resilience, and research in indigenous communities. This program also includes hands-on practical experience through internships, undergraduate research projects, or independent study. This degree program will enable students to pursue graduate studies, obtain employment and promotion in the workforce, and serve the Navajo Nation.

This Bachelor of Arts degree is a unique degree program designed to prepare students to take responsible positions in the management of economic growth in the more than 500 federally recognized Native American Tribes. The program will include instructions in business management, principles of accounting and financial management, human resources management, finance, basic economic principles and business law (Federal, State and Tribal) as applied to promoting the economic well-being of the tribal communities.

The Social Work program offered through the SBS division improves skills, knowledge, and predispositions needed for becoming a technician or para-professional in a social welfare program. It enables transferring to a university or a four year college. Some courses are equivalent to a third year or fourth year college level course. Students who plan to transfer to a university or a four year college should check with that institution when selecting Social Work courses. If students are interested in pursuing a graduate degree (a Master’s degree or a PhD) in Social Work, one option is to complete the Psychology BA program because a Psychology BA degree can serve as a foundation for pursuing graduates studies in Social Work.

Minor Information: The School of Business and Social Science’s Native American Studies Minor is a 21-credit hour interdisciplinary program that seeks to broaden, connect and dialogue the variety of Navajo realities experienced by our students with that of tribal nations and Indigenous communities throughout the Americas and the globe. Students enrolled in this minor will take a total of 7 classes, all of which contribute to the following objectives: (1) exemplifying contemporary Indigenous communities; (2) identifying, distinguishing, and critiquing of varying forms of colonization; and (3) Re-imaging and re-defining Native Nation building through Indigenous self-determination. This minor program compliments every Diné College BS, BA, and BFA degree offering.

Eligibility: Students interested in this minor must meet the following criteria: already be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at Diné College; officially declare the minor with the Office of Registrar; maintain a 2.0 GPA in all NAS classes; and complete all requirements on the NAS minor degree checklist by the time of bachelor’s degree graduation.

Core NAS Faculty: Dr. Christine Ami (SBSS); Dr. Michael Lerma (SBSS); Dr. Gregory Redhouse (SBSS)

Affiliated NAS Faculty: Dr. Carmella Kahn (PUH); Dr. Franklin Sage (DPI); Mr. Matthew Skeets (ENG)

Contact: For more information, please contact Dr. Christine Ami at cmami@dinecollege.edu.