The Tribal Administration Certificate Program provides training and instruction for the employees of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Founded in 2006 by a donation to Claremont Graduate University by the tribe, the program’s classes are held at Claremont Graduate University and taught by the university’s faculty and affiliated scholars.
There are no costs involved to the students. The endowment funded by the tribe’s donation covers the expenses for tuition, reading material, and class meals.
The program consists of first- and second-year sequences as well as a lecture series. The first-year sequence consists of four courses that are spread out over an academic year, providing instruction on Indian law, intergovernmental relations, tribal sovereignty, and management. The second-year sequence is tailored for the graduates of the first-year program, focusing on Native American policy and constitutions, tribal gaming and governance, federalism, and executive leadership.
Objectives of the Program
- Fostering a new generation of leaders within the tribal employee workforce.
- The professional development of San Manuel’s employees.
- Equipping students with knowledge of the latest on federal, state, and Indian laws; tribal sovereignty and the tenets of managing developing economies.
- Providing a culturally-informed curriculum that focuses on Native American issues of national importance and issues distinctively relevant to California tribes.
Why Take This Program?
- Personal and professional growth: Graduates of this program enhance their knowledge about leadership, management, tribal law, American government/federalism, Indian gaming, and tribal sovereignty as well as the history and culture of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, among many other subjects.
- Networking among your colleagues at the tribe: Students develop professional relationships with their classmates who, often times, work in different departments for the tribal government or the casino. These bonds help enhance communication and partnership among the tribal employee workforce.
- Increasing your prospects for promotions: It is not uncommon for graduates to earn promotions upon completing the program.
Application Requirements
- Applicants must be employees of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
- Applicants must obtain permission from their manager/supervisor.
- Applicants must hold high school degrees or the equivalent (GED).
How Do I Apply?
Contact us at cgutacp@gmail.com or by phone at 714-625-6611 and we will be happy to provide you with an application.
Additional Information
Classes take place from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The first-year sequence consists of two eight-week semesters. The fall semester begins in early September and runs through late October. The spring semester begins in late January and ends in late March.
The second-year sequence is an accelerated program consisting of 12 weeks of instruction (divided into two six-week blocks of classes), beginning in early April and ending in late June.
The commute time from Highland to Claremont Graduate University is roughly 30-45 minutes, given traffic.
The weekly readings usually consist of 60-100 pages per week.
Requirements for each class vary. Weekly readings are the norm, while most assignments consist papers (5-15 pages) and class presentations, some of which are group-oriented.
The latest news relating to the Tribal Administration Certificate Program can be accessed on the program’s Facebook, Twitter (@cgutacp) and Instagram (@cgutacp) accounts.