Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Religious Studies

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Religious Studies contains the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in religious studies. Students will learn about theology and world religions, as well as the historical significance and sociocultural contexts of people's faiths. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue positions including human and social services assistant, director of religious or educational programs, museum technician, funeral attendant, tour guide, or clergy. With a graduate degree, students may pursue positions such as reporter, correspondent, social and community service manager, teacher, or college professors in areas such as religious studies or cultural studies.

Details

Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Religious Studies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8138
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Program Notes wording correction to: Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

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

What You'll Learn
  • Compare and contrast multiple religious traditions and the phenomena of religion across and within cultures. (REL100, REL151, REL205, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [SB])
  • Apply a range of methodological and theoretical approaches to religious phenomena. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [CS], [FYC], [MA], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
  • Examine religious phenomena, including issues of ethical and social responsibility, from a perspective of critical inquiry and analysis of both the other and the self. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
  • Apply theoretical knowledge of religious phenomena to lived, practical contexts, both historical and current. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
  • Employ knowledge of religious phenomena and the skills of religious studies in the solving of complex problems, including those raised in the personal and social engagement of issues of life, death, love, sex, violence, suffering, and meaning. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)

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.

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,800

Clergy

$55,430

Directors, Religious Activities and Education

$53,490

Funeral Attendants

$31,420

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$46,350

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

$57,310

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

$69,470

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

$53,620

Social and Community Service Managers

$69,700

Social and Human Service Assistants

$39,460

Tour Guides and Escorts

$38,180

* 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.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the available transfer institutions and what degrees you may be able to transfer into.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

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
REL100 World Religions Critical course Gateway course G, HU 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 101 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5
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
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Select a pathway to see specific HU requirement HU 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 102 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
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 Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Select a pathway to see specific L requirement L 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 201 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 202 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5

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
REL100 World Religions Critical course Gateway course G, HU 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 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
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Select a pathway to see specific HU requirement HU 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 101 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or SB or L or SB 0–3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 102 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Select a pathway to see specific L requirement L 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 201 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 202 Level If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. 3–5

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4
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.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • H = Historical Awareness
  • 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=188773).

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 Religious Studies