Associate in Arts

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. In general, the components of the degree meet requirements for majors in the Liberal Arts or programs of study other than business or science. Generally, the degree will transfer as a block without loss of credit to Arizona`s public universities and other institutions with district-wide articulation agreements.

In most cases, courses used to satisfy the MCCCD Associate in Arts (AA) will apply to general university graduation requirements of the majors that align with the AA degree; however, students need to be aware of any specific requirements of their intended major at the university to be sure they select courses that will meet them. Information regarding the articulation of the AA with majors at the Arizona public universities can be accessed via the following website: www.aztransfer.com

The AA degree requires a minimum of 60 semester credits for the program of study; minimum total credits vary by specific emphasis (for example, Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Psychology). Refer to the Program (Degree) Search at https://curriculum.maricopa.edu for credit minimums for individual degree programs by emphasis.

Students desiring to transfer are encouraged to select an emphasis.

Details

Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8400
Total credits required
60
Effective Term
Fall 2022

Students must complete FYE101 (1) or FYE103 (3) and select the required courses for the specific Associate in Arts degree emphasis. Refer to the Program (Degree) Search at https://curriculum.maricopa.edu for specific courses and credit minimums by emphasis.

Restricted Electives for the Associate in Arts degree vary by specific emphasis and are not required without a specific emphasis selected. Refer to the Program (Degree) Search at https://curriculum.maricopa.edu for specific courses and credit minimums by emphasis.

Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
AGEC-ACredits: 35*-44
*The AGEC-A requires a minimum of 35 credits (32 if student has transfer credit from ASU, NAU or UAZ for a single course that meets FYC in full).

A single course with an [L], [HU], [SB], [SG], or [SQ] designation may also be used to satisfy the Oral Communication, Critical Reading, and/or Awareness Area ([C], [G] and/or [H]) requirement(s). See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.
 
First-Year Composition [FYC]Credits: 6*
ENG101First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG107First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND
ENG102First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG108First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 6*
*FYC may be met with fewer than 6 credits if student has transfer credit from ASU, NAU or UAZ for a single course that meets FYC in full.
 
Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L]Credits: 3
Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area.
 
Mathematics [MA]Credits: 3-6
MAT140College Mathematics (5) OR
MAT141College Mathematics (4) OR
MAT142College Mathematics (3) OR
MAT145College Mathematics with Review (5) OR
MAT146College Mathematics with Review (6) OR
Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area (3-6)3-6
 
Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS]Credits: 3
Any approved general education courses in the Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] area.
 
Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area.
 
Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] area.
 
Natural Sciences [SG]/[SQ]Credits: 8
Any approved general education course in the Science Quantitative [SQ] area (4) AND
Any approved general education course in the Science Quantitative [SQ] area or the Science General [SG] area (4).8
 
Awareness AreasCredits: 0-6
These requirements may be shared with other AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.
 
Cultural Diversity in the US [C]Credits: 0-3
0-3
 
Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G]Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course in the Historical [H] or Global [G] area.
 
MCCCD Additional Requirements
MCCCD Additional RequirementsCredits: 0-6
Some courses in this area have [SB] and [L] designations and may also be applied to the corresponding AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.
 
Oral CommunicationCredits: 0-3
COM100Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR
COM110Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
COM225Public Speaking (3) OR
COM230Small Group Communication (3)0-3
 
Critical ReadingCredits: 0-3
CRE101College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0)0-3

Select courses 100-level or higher if needed to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits, which is the maximum number of credits accepted toward most degree programs at Arizona`s public universities. Ideally, students should select courses that meet requirements for their major/area of interest and transfer institution. See General Associate Degree Academic Policies for further details, limitations, and guidelines.

Maricopa courses and external courses evaluated as Maricopa equivalents, departmental electives (e.g., HISELC for a history elective), or general electives (GENELC) that are numbered 100 level or higher, and completed with a grade of "C" or higher, may be applied in the elective area, regardless of potential transferability to other institutions. It is recommended, however, that students planning to transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution meet these general elective requirements with courses that are transferable and applicable to their intended university degree. Transfer and major guides are accessible on the following websites: aztransfer.com, maricopa.edu/transfer/partners, as well as those of individual universities. For appropriate course selection, students should consult with an academic advisor.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Read the official description