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
Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Economics (DEG)
Total credits required
60-64
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.
What You'll Learn
- 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 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.
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Entry Level Salary
$47,630
Expert Level Salary
$102,340
Average Hourly Wage
$35.45
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$22.90
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$33.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$49.20
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Projected Job Openings
1,130
Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Entry Level Salary
$48,280
Expert Level Salary
$199,170
Typical Education Level
Doctoral Degree
Projected Job Openings
170
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.
Average National Salary
$120,880
Typical Education Level
Doctoral Degree
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.
Average National Salary
$120,880
Typical Education Level
Doctoral Degree
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.
Entry Level Salary
$63,330
Mid Level Salary
$102,390
Average Hourly Wage
$60.87
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$30.45
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$49.00
Typical Education Level
First Professional Degree
Projected Job Openings
14,640
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.
Entry Level Salary
$30,830
Expert Level Salary
$105,800
Average Hourly Wage
$32.11
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$14.82
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$29.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$50.87
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Projected Job Openings
22,790
Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.
Entry Level Salary
$60,710
Mid Level Salary
$111,740
Expert Level Salary
$169,250
Average Hourly Wage
$58.31
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$29.19
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$53.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$81.37
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Entry Level Salary
$61,370
Mid Level Salary
$125,990
Average Hourly Wage
$64.47
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$29.50
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$60.00
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Projected Job Openings
17,410
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Entry Level Salary
$50,080
Expert Level Salary
$100,830
Average Hourly Wage
$36.18
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$24.08
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$36.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$48.48
Typical Education Level
Masters Degree
Projected Job Openings
1,850
* 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.
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.
|
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1Term 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 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 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 2Term 2Term 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 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 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 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.
|
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 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 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 2Term 2Term 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 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 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 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 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5Term 5Term 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 |
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
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.