ASU Law is supporting tribal-driven initiatives by developing advanced degrees focused on Indian gaming and tribal self-governance for professionals who desire an advanced, concentrated curriculum in these areas. These degree programs build on ASU’s world-class Indian Legal Program and experienced faculty to offer degrees with the first of their kind emphasis and the real-world experience that employers value.
Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance
1st
Law school to offer an MLS focused on Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance
30
Total credit hours to complete the MLS degree
50+
Years of faculty experience in Indian Country
The Indian gaming and tribal self-governance emphasis programs will equip professionals with a background in federal Indian law and comprehensive courses designed to help graduates seamlessly integrate into the job of their choice. Graduates may serve as senior or mid-level executives for tribes or tribal entities, tribal elected officials responsible for overseeing these aspects of their tribal operations, and other professionals with careers such as congressional staff and federal, state and local employees.
Degree programs
Student opportunities
Externships
Externships are electives that allow you to combine concepts learned in the classroom with real-world employment experiences. Examples of externships include working for Tribes, tribal enterprises, federal agencies and inter-tribal organizations such as the Indian Gaming Association.
National conferences and lectures
Each semester the Indian Legal Program invites top scholars and attorneys to present contemporary legal issues in Indian country.
Sample coursework
- American Indian Law
- Advanced Topics in Indian Law
- Indian Gaming I and II
- Tribal Self-Governance I and II
- Civil Jurisdiction
- Economic Development in Indian Country
- Contemporary Issues in Tribal Economic Development
- Indian Law and Taxation
- Federal Advocacy for the Tribal Client
- Environmental Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Water Law
- Tribal Energy
Hear from our students
Angela Salazar-Willeford, MLS Student, Indian Legal Program
Francisco Olea, LLM Student, Indian Legal Program
Videos and webinars
Betting on Arizona: The Future of Indian Gaming & Sports Betting
Choose where you want to study with ASU Law
Expertise
Kate Rosier
Comanche
Assistant Dean, Community Engagement and Executive Director, Indian Legal Program
Patty Ferguson-Bohnee
Pointe-au-Chien
Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence, Charles M. Brewer Professor of Trial Advocacy; Faculty Director, Indian Legal Program and Director, Indian Legal Clinic
Robert J. Miller
Eastern Shawnee
Jonathan and Wendy Rose Professor of Law
Trevor Reed
Hopi
Professor of Law
Jay Spaan
Cherokee
Faculty Associate
Michael Hoenig
Faculty Associate
Lawrence S. Roberts
Oneida
Professor of Practice
Paul Spruhan
Faculty Associate
Derrick Beetso
Navajo
Professor of Practice; Executive Director, Indian Gaming and Self-Governance
Ann Marie Bledsoe-Downes
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Professor of Practice; Director, Indian Gaming and Self-Governance
Theresa Beaulieu
Stockbridge-Munsee
Director, Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance
Helen Burtis
Instructor
Stacy L. Leeds
Cherokee
Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor of Law