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
- 2025-2026
- 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.
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$37.82
Annual Median Wage
$78,676
Number of People Employed
545
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 9.4 %
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
Number of People Employed
137
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 8.0 %
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
Number of People Employed
137
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 8.0 %
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$62.93
Annual Median Wage
$130,899
Number of People Employed
9,004
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 12.5 %
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 13.2 %
Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$35.06
Annual Median Wage
$72,944
Annual Job Openings
2,879
Number of People Employed
26,552
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 13.3 %
Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$44.33
Annual Median Wage
$92,221
Annual Job Openings
1,286
Number of People Employed
13,478
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 9.6 %
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$65.56
Annual Median Wage
$136,375
Annual Job Openings
1,188
Number of People Employed
11,982
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 14.4 %
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$40.91
Annual Median Wage
$85,097
Number of People Employed
656
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 8.7 %
* 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.
The list of courses below has been updated
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.
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 placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites |
Critical course
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
MAT212 or MAT213 or MAT220 or MAT221 |
Brief Calculus or 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.View requisites |
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 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 |
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.View requisites |
|
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.View requisites |
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 requisitesView 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 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: A 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.View requisites |
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 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Term 4
Term 4
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
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 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.
|
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.
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 placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites |
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
MAT212 or MAT213 or MAT220 or MAT221 |
Brief Calculus or 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.View requisites |
OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite.
|
MA or 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 |
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.View requisites |
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
Transfer Option |
Transfer Option |
|
|
|
3–5 |
MAT217 or MAT218 or MAT230 or MAT231 |
Mathematical Analysis for Business or 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: A 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.View requisites |
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 |
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.View requisites |
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 |
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.View requisites |
|
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 |
Pathway Map Option Details
No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway
map options listed above.
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Learn more about and find contact information for the Economics program.
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