Dine College

What is the history of Dine College?

Diné College was founded in 1968 as Navajo Community College. Established by the Navajo Nation, it is widely recognized as the first tribally controlled college in the United States. Its original purpose was to expand access to higher education while placing Navajo language, culture, and community priorities at the center of its curriculum.

The college later adopted the name Diné College, reflecting the Diné people's name for themselves. It has grown beyond its original community-college role to offer bachelor's degrees alongside associate degrees and certificates. That history still matters to prospective students: Diné studies are part of the institution's academic identity, not simply an extracurricular offering.

What are the faculties and departments at Dine College?

Diné College offers certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees across fields that include Diné studies, education, business, the sciences, and the arts. Its academic organization brings together programs serving both students preparing for a career and those planning to transfer or continue their education.

Examples of areas students can explore include Navajo language and culture, teacher preparation, business administration, biology, public health, psychology, agriculture, and visual arts. The available credential and teaching location can differ by program. A student interested in a particular major should check the current academic catalog for its required courses, campus or online availability, and whether it leads to an associate or bachelor's degree.

Students considering teacher preparation or another occupation with licensing requirements should also check the rules of the state or tribal jurisdiction where they intend to work. A degree and a professional license are separate qualifications.

What is the location of Dine College?

Diné College's main campus is in Tsaile, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Tsaile is a rural community, so travel distance, transportation, and access to services may affect a student's choice of classes and housing.

The college also teaches at other locations across the Navajo Nation, including Shiprock, New Mexico. Students should not assume that every degree, course, or student service is offered at every location; the relevant schedule and program requirements determine where they would need to study.

For students coming from farther away, Albuquerque International Sunport is a regional air-travel option, but reaching Tsaile from an airport requires substantial additional ground travel. Commuters should plan around actual class times, road conditions, and the availability of a reliable vehicle.

What is the mission and vision of Dine College?

Diné College's stated educational purpose combines higher education with the preservation and advancement of Diné language, history, and culture. As a tribal college, it frames learning in relation to Navajo Nation communities as well as students' academic and professional goals.

That mission can shape what students study even outside a Diné studies major. Applicants evaluating a program should look at its current degree requirements to see how general education, disciplinary coursework, and Diné-centered learning fit together. The college's stated priorities describe its approach; they should not be read as a promise of any particular academic or employment outcome.