Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Economics

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Field of Interest

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Economics provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to pursue a liberal arts degree in Economics from a four-year institution. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a number of careers, including but not limited to, budget analysts, market research analysts, and marketing specialists. With a graduate degree, students may pursue a number of careers, including but not limited to economists, environmental economists, treasurers, controllers, urban and regional planners, economics teachers, and lawyers.

Details

Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest

Culture and Society

Type

Associate in Arts (AA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Economics (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8111

Total Credits Required

60-64

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Notes

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

Students who plan to major in economics at a college of business should consider following the Associate in Business-General Requirements (ABUS-GR) pathway instead of this award. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify the associate degree that best aligns with your academic and professional goals.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges to earn a degree with this emphasis.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

Define key vocabulary in economics.
Discuss foundational economic principles.
Describe the determinants of supply and demand, and their effects on equilibrium prices and quantities.
Evaluate economic efficiency using marginal analysis.
Interpret economic data.
Analyze the relationships between variables in economic models.
Predict changes in outcomes using economic models when presented with new information.
Prescribe solutions to achieve economic outcomes.
Recognize that economic models have limitations.

Career Opportunities

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 Maricopa County-based annual median 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.

Budget Analysts

$78,676 Show expanded career information for Budget Analysts

Economists

$110,017 Show expanded career information for Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

Typical Education Level

a Doctoral degree or more

Hourly Median Wage

$52.89

Annual Median Wage

$110,017

Annual Job Openings

Number of People Employed

137

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 7.3 %

Environmental Economists

$110,017 Show expanded career information for Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

Typical Education Level

a Doctoral degree or more

Hourly Median Wage

$52.89

Annual Median Wage

$110,017

Annual Job Openings

Number of People Employed

137

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 7.3 %

Lawyers

$130,899 Show expanded career information for Lawyers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$71,962 Show expanded career information for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Typical Education Level

a Bachelor's degree

Hourly Median Wage

$34.59

Annual Median Wage

$71,962

Annual Job Openings

1,675

Number of People Employed

13,832

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 11.4 %

Postsecondary Economics Teachers

$72,944 Show expanded career information for Postsecondary Economics Teachers

Regulatory Affairs Managers

$92,221 Show expanded career information for Regulatory Affairs Managers

Treasurers and Controllers

$136,375 Show expanded career information for Treasurers and Controllers

Urban and Regional Planners

$85,097 Show expanded career information for Urban and Regional Planners

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

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.

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Economics
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Science, Economics
University of Arizona, Bachelor of Arts, Economics

Full-time
Part-time

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.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1 Term 1 Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1 Term 1 Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
MAT212 or MAT213 or MAT220 or MAT221	Brief Calculus or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, or MAT187, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, or MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.	Critical course OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite.	MA or MA or MA	3–5
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
Elective	Elective				0–3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 Term 2 Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ECN211 or ECN212	Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles		Critical course Gateway course	SB or SB	3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG100LL or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113)] or a grade of B or better in ALT100 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
MAT217 or MAT218 or MAT230 or MAT231	Mathematical Analysis for Business or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT212, or MAT213, or MAT220, or MAT221. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT212, or MAT213, or MAT220, or MAT221. or Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.	Critical course	None or MA or MA	3–5
Second Langauge or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Term 3 Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ECN211 or ECN212	Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles			SB or SB	3
GBS221 or MAT206 or SWU225	Business Statistics or Elements of Statistics or Statistics for Social Research/Justice and Government	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GBS220 or MAT217 or MAT218. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT14+, or MAT15+, or MAT187, or MAT188, or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT092 or completion of higher level mathematics course.		CS or CS or CS	3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative			SQ	4
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Select a course with the L value if COM225 or CRE101 not selected	L	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 Term 4 Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative		SG or SQ	4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option			3–5
Transfer Option	Transfer Option			0–3
Elective	Elective			3
Elective	Elective			3
CIS105	Survey of Computer Information Systems		CS	3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective	Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		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
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
MAT212 or MAT213 or MAT220 or MAT221	Brief Calculus or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, or MAT187, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, or MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.	OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite.	MA or MA or MA	3–5
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 Term 2 Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
MAT217 or MAT218 or MAT230 or MAT231	Mathematical Analysis for Business or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT212, or MAT213, or MAT220, or MAT221. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT212, or MAT213, or MAT220, or MAT221. or Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.	Critical course	None or MA or MA	3–5
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Term 3 Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG100LL or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113)] or a grade of B or better in ALT100 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 Term 4 Term 4
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	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
ECN211 or ECN212	Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles			SB or SB	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

Term 5 Term 5 Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 Term 5 Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GBS221 or MAT206 or SWU225	Business Statistics or Elements of Statistics or Statistics for Social Research/Justice and Government	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GBS220 or MAT217 or MAT218. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT14+, or MAT15+, or MAT187, or MAT188, or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT092 or completion of higher level mathematics course.		CS or CS or CS	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3–5
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		3–5

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
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Select a course with the L value if COM225 or CRE101 not selected in previous term.	L	3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative			SQ	4

Term 8 Term 8 Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8 Term 8 Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Area	Credits
ECN211 or ECN212	Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles	SB or SB	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option		0–3
Elective	Elective		3
CIS105	Survey of Computer Information Systems	CS	3

Pathway Map Option Details

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Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.

Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Economics program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

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.

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, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

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=189997).

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 Economics

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Field of Interest

Details

What You’ll Learn

Career Opportunities

Budget Analysts

$78,676 Show expanded career information for Budget Analysts

Economists

$110,017 Show expanded career information for Economists

Environmental Economists

$110,017 Show expanded career information for Environmental Economists

Lawyers

$130,899 Show expanded career information for Lawyers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$71,962 Show expanded career information for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Postsecondary Economics Teachers

$72,944 Show expanded career information for Postsecondary Economics Teachers

Regulatory Affairs Managers

$92,221 Show expanded career information for Regulatory Affairs Managers

Treasurers and Controllers

$136,375 Show expanded career information for Treasurers and Controllers

Urban and Regional Planners

$85,097 Show expanded career information for Urban and Regional Planners

Course Sequence by Term

Pathway Map Options

Full-time Sequence

Term 1 Term 1 Term 1

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

Part-time Sequence

Term 1

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

Term 5 Term 5 Term 5

Term 6

Term 7

Term 8 Term 8 Term 8

Pathway Map Option Details

Ready to get started?

Course Area Key

Disclaimer

Previous Catalog Years