The Navajo language, also known as Diné Bizaad, has been formally taught at the University of New Mexico since the 1970s. In April 2020, the Navajo Language Program marked its 50th anniversary.

Starting with 40 students enrolled in Beginning Navajo, the program has now grown to offer a minor in Navajo for undergraduates and a focus area for the Linguistics master students with a concentration in Native Languages of the Southwest. Housed in the Department of Linguistics and supported through the years by the New Mexico state legislature and various grants, the Navajo (Diné) Program has made major contributions to the study of Navajo, bilingual teacher training, and the publication of linguistics materials. Our five decades of dedicated effort have enabled the successes of generations of students, many of whom come to the program from historic Navajo colleges to continue work on their four-year degrees.