Ph.D. - In the fall of 1997, The University of Arizona was the first educational institution in the U.S. to offer a Ph.D. in American Indian Studies. The Ph.D. in American Indian Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to: prepare graduate students for academic careers; conduct advanced and applied scholarly research from a cross-cultural perspective; develop theoretical and innovative theories, methodologies, and research tools appropriate for and useful to sovereign tribes; and to educate students to assume leadership and policy-making roles in higher education, tribal communities, the state and nation. The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in 3-4 years (after completing the Master's degree).