Program Overview

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Introduction to the Online Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law

The online Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law is a 33-credit-hour program designed for professionals who work with Native American policy, regulation, or business practices. It provides a strong legal foundation for non-lawyers involved in contracts, negotiations, and other areas where knowledge of tribal law is essential.

Program Overview

• Earn your online MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law in as little as 15 months as a full-time student and build a powerful foundation in Native American legal issues, including natural resources, criminal jurisdiction, gaming law, and the Indian Child Welfare Act.
• OU Law’s online programs feature small class sizes that foster a close-knit, collaborative learning environment.
• You’ll learn from a distinguished faculty with deep expertise in tribal law and policy, both nationally and internationally.

Program Details

Time to Complete

15+ Months

Credit Hours

33

Time Commitment

10 to 20 Hours Weekly

Start Dates

Fall, Spring, & Summer

Cost

• Oklahoma residents: $612.65 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30 per credit hour and $117.50 per semester.
• Non-residents: $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30 per credit hour and $117.50 per semester.

What Can I Do with the Degree?

Earning an online MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law equips you to pursue high-impact careers that support Native American communities and interests across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Religion, culture, and Indian law
• Tribal government and administration
• Outreach and community engagement
• Industries that regularly collaborate with tribal governments
• Legal research
• Tribal court systems
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
• Private sector roles focused on Indigenous affairs

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn

OU College of Law’s MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law program delivers a deep, practice-ready understanding of the legal frameworks that shape Native American governance, policy, and sovereignty. You will:

• Analyze foundational federal and state laws, treaties, and court decisions that define the relationship between tribal nations and the U.S. government
• Examine the legal and political structures of tribal governments and their interaction with federal and state systems
• Explore the Indian Child Welfare Act, natural resources law, water rights, and criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country
• Conduct legal research on tribal, federal, and state policies that impact Native communities and intergovernmental relations
• Evaluate the role of Indigenous law in shaping economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship

Course Details

The Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law provides a comprehensive exploration of federal Indian law and policy, covering both criminal and civil jurisdiction in Indian Country. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of gaming law, natural resources law, international Indigenous rights, and the Indian Child Welfare Act, along with other critical legal frameworks that shape tribal governance and sovereignty.

Introduction to the American Legal System

• Credit Hours: 1
• Examines U.S. courts, the role of the Constitution in the U.S., and the foundations of United States law.

History of Federal Indian Law and Policy II

• Credit Hours: 2
• Traces the development of British colonial and United States policy towards indigenous peoples in North America from the major policy initiatives of the Nineteenth Century to the present day.

Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country

• Credit Hours: 3
• Traces the development the rules governing the exercise of criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country by three sovereigns: federal government, state government, and tribal government.

Religion, Culture and Indian Law

• Credit Hours: 3
• Examines the roles of law and policy on Native American religious and cultural practice.

Tribal Courts in Indian Country

• Credit Hours: 3
• This course examines the relationship between Tribal Nations and the three main sovereigns: the Federal government, state governments, and tribal governments.

Federal Indian Water Law

• Credit Hours: 3
• Explores the context, decisional and statutory law, and overarching polices that shape water law.

Civil Jurisdiction in Indian Country

• Credit Hours: 3
• Addresses regulatory and adjudicatory authority, including the history of Federal-Tribal relations, tribal recognition, the scope of Indian Country, and tribal sovereignty as it relates to civil jurisdiction.

History of Federal Indian Law and Policy I

• Credit Hours: 2
• Traces the development of British colonial and United States policy towards indigenous peoples in North America from the Seventeenth Century through the major policy initiatives of the Nineteenth Century.

Native American Natural Resources

• Credit Hours: 3
• Covers basic doctrines of Indian law and a variety of issues relating to tribal interests in and jurisdiction over environmental resources.

Introduction to Legal Research

• Credit Hours: 1
• Provides students with an understanding of the most efficient and cost-effective tools and methods for researching U.S. and tribal law.

The Indian Child Welfare Act & Family Law in Indian Country

• Credit Hours: 3
• Indian Child Welfare Act, passed by Congress (1978), grants tribes and parents of Indian children special rights within state court systems.

International Indigenous Peoples Law

• Credit Hours: 3
• Explores the development of international law rules relating to the rights of indigenous peoples from the early 20th Century through the present.

Indian Gaming Laws and Regulations

• Credit Hours: 3
• Examines litigation, history of tribal gaming, critical rulings on tribal/state compacting, and scope of gaming conflicts.

Why Choose OU for Indigenous Peoples Law

The OU College of Law offers a Juris Doctor program that is consistently ranked among the best value law degrees. Coupled with OU’s dedication to innovation, the OU College of Law distinguishes itself as an excellent choice for pursuing a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law.

Faculty Expertise

Faculty members are carefully selected for their expertise in Native American and Indigenous people’s law.

Robust Student Support

OU Online and the OU College of Law offer robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center.

Global Alumni Network

With over 250,000 alumni worldwide, joining the OU Online community means gaining access to a global network of legal and business professionals.

Flexible Format

The Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law is delivered in a fully online, flexible format designed to meet the needs of working professionals worldwide.

Tailored Experience

Progress through the program as part of a small, focused cohort of professionals who share similar goals and interests in Indigenous people’s law.

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your degree in Indigenous Peoples Law is a strategic investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment clear, accessible, and affordable.

• Oklahoma residents: $612.65 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30 per credit hour and $117.50 per semester.
• Non-residents: $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30 per credit hour and $117.50 per semester.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Take the Next Step

Each application to the online MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law is reviewed with care to build a cohort where every student can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the learning experience. OU Law takes a holistic approach to admissions, considering more than just GPAs, test scores, and academic metrics.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee follows a rolling admissions process, reviewing applications as they are received.

Minimum Qualifications for Admission

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
• For graduates of a college or university outside the United States, the College of Law will follow OU Norman campus determinations of equivalency.
• An undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher (adjusted as required for courses in which grades were provided under a different standard).