Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Mathematics

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Mathematics provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution and earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, computational mathematical science, or related fields. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue a number of careers including actuary, statistical assistant, and business intelligence analyst. With a graduate degree, students may pursue employment as a mathematician or statistician, which may include teaching at institutions of higher education, or as an analyst in a number of fields including finance, data science, cryptography, and scientific computing.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Mathematics (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8125
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Mathematics, BS

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Mathematics (Statistics), BS

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Computational Mathematical Sciences, BS

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Mathematics, BA

ASU (College of Integrative Sciences and Arts), Applied Mathematics, BS

ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Applied Mathematics, BS

NAU, Mathematics, BS

U of A, Mathematics (Any Emphasis), BA

U of A, Mathematics (Any Emphasis), BS

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU , NAU , U of A .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Demonstrate knowledge of proportional relationships, spatial reasoning, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
  • Demonstrate the interconnectedness of mathematical ideas and how they build on one another.
  • Use patterns and relationships to make generalizations and predictions.
  • Present information accurately in various ways (graphically, numerically, symbolically, and verbally).
  • Apply appropriate mathematical strategies and reasoning to solve problems.
  • Justify mathematical processes and results.
  • Use technology to assist in learning and investigating mathematical ideas.
  • Determine and apply appropriate technologies to solve problems efficiently.
  • Critically evaluate information for relevance, usefulness, and applicability.
  • Communicate mathematics both orally and in writing using appropriate terminology and notation.
  • Critique the reasoning of others.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Actuaries
$98,380
Financial Quantitative Analysts
$73,870
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$69,960
Mathematicians
$112,530
Operations Research Analysts
$78,330
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$55,180
Statistical Assistants
$48,350
Statisticians
$97,450

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

  • Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Critical course Gateway course MA or MA 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Critical course MA or MA 4–5
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
CSC110 or
CSC110AA or
CSC110AB		 Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) CS or CS or CS 3–4

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA or MA 4–5
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry L 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
Elective General Elective 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Critical course Gateway course MA or MA 4–5
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Critical course MA or MA 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA or MA 4–5
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CSC110 or
CSC110AA or
CSC110AB		 Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) CS or CS or CS 3–4
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry L 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective General Elective 3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language and other requirements.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16454777).

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.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Mathematics