Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies

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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
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)

Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:

  • Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits)
  • Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits)

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:

  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits)
  • Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits)
  • Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits)
  • Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits)

For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SOS111 Sustainable Cities AHM, G, HU, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
QNR Quantitative Reasoning Before enrolling into a math course, speak to your Academic Advisor to ensure you are selecting the correct math for your transfer goals as MAT14+ or MAT15+ are not applicable for all University program requirements. QNR 3–6
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, WCM or WCM, FYC 3
AHM Arts and Humanities Recommend PHI216 for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability. AHM 3
Plan Elective Plan Course Electives 3–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
OCM Oral Communication OCM 3
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences May be met by SOS110 in the Plan Course Electives. SCB 3
NSI Natural Sciences May be met by BIO181, BIO182, CHM150 and CHM151LL, CHM150AA, CHM151 and CHM151LL, CHM151AA, ENV101, GLG101 and GLG103, or GLG101IN in the Plan Course Electives area. NSI 4
Plan Elective Plan Course Electives 0–4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 3
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences Recommend for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability:
COM263, ECN212, PSY132, or SBU200 		SCB 3
NSI Natural Sciences Recommend for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability:
BIO105, CHM107 and CHM107LL, GPH113, ASM104, ENV101, GLG110, or GLG111 		NSI 4
Plan Elective Plan Course Electives 0–4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)

Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:

  • Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits)
  • Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits)

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:

  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits)
  • Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits)
  • Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits)
  • Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits)

For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SOS111 Sustainable Cities AHM, G, HU, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 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
QNR Quantitative Reasoning Before enrolling into a math course, speak to your Academic Advisor to ensure you are selecting the correct math for your transfer goals as MAT14+ or MAT15+ are not applicable for all University program requirements. QNR 3–6
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AHM Arts and Humanities Recommend PHI216 for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability. AHM 3
Plan Elective Plan Course Electives 3–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
OCM Oral Communication OCM 3
NSI Natural Sciences May be met by BIO181, BIO182, CHM150 and CHM151LL, CHM150AA, CHM151 and CHM151LL, CHM151AA, ENV101, GLG101 and GLG103, or GLG101IN in the Plan Course Electives area. NSI 4

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences May be met by SOS110 in the Plan Course Electives. SCB 3
NSI Natural Sciences Recommend for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability:
BIO105, CHM107 and CHM107LL, GPH113, ASM104, ENV101, GLG110, or GLG111 		NSI 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 3
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences Recommend for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability:
COM263, ECN212, PSY132, or SBU200 		SCB 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Plan Elective Plan Course Electives 0–4
Plan Elective Plan Course Electives 0–4

Course Area Key

  • AHM = Arts and Humanities
  • FYC = First-Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
  • IAM = Institutions of the Americas
  • NSI = Natural Sciences
  • OCM = Oral Communication
  • QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • WCM = Written Communication