Program Information
Learn more about the Anthropology program.
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Course Sequence
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Field of Interest
The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Anthropology provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to receive an education in the broad field of anthropology - an examination of the human experience. Depending on their preferred focus, students can pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Coursework in this program surveys both cultural and biological aspects of what it means to be human, and students will develop critical thinking skills through the analysis of real-world anthropological case studies. As such, students receive a holistic training in their worldview that is valued highly by employers in many fields, including health and human services, media, business, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and government agencies.
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 Anthropology (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 8109
- Total Credits Required
- 60-64
- Catalog Year
- 2026-2027
- Available Online
- Yes
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Anthropology, BA
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Anthropology, BS
NAU, Anthropology, BA
U of A, Anthropology, BA
U of A, Anthropology (Archaeological Sciences Emphasis), BS
U of A, Anthropology (Human Biology Emphasis), BSRefer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU , NAU , U of A .
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Develop an understanding of anthropology and how the subfields interrelate.
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of cultures, past and present, including ecological relationships, subsistence, social organization, and belief systems.
- Apply a holistic anthropological and culturally relativistic approach to understanding cultural similarities and differences and applying anthropology to local, national, and global human issues.
- Develop and apply critical thinking and observation skills through the analysis of real world anthropological case studies using the scientific method and multiple perspectives.
- Demonstrate the ability to obtain, critically read, analyze, summarize and critique anthropological research through use of appropriate source material.
- Utilize the scientific method to investigate the foundations of human biological variation through a critical evaluation of both ancient and recent human biological adaptation and evolution.
- Evaluate, through archaeological research, the processes of human cultural evolution, such as the origins of: language, agriculture, settled village and urban life, writing, religion, social inequalities and state formation.
- Apply anthropological ethical principles through the critical analysis of real world case studies.
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.
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.
| 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:
Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:
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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASB102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | Critical course Gateway course | G, SB, SCB | 3 | |
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 | ||
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved general education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. | MA | 3–6 | |
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 | |||
| Elective | General Electives | 0–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASM104 | Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution | Critical course Gateway course | NSI, SB, SG | 4 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC | 3 | ||
| IAM | Institutions of the Americas | IAM | 3 | ||
| Elective | General Electives | 3–6 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASB222 or ASB223 |
Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: Old World or Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: New World | Critical course Gateway course | G, H, HU, SB, SCB or AHM, G, H, HU, SB | 3 | |
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | May be fulfilled by ASB222 | SCB | 3 | |
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | May be fulfilled by ASB223 | AHM | 3 | |
| Elective | General Electives | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | AHM | 3 | ||
| NSI | Natural Sciences | NSI | 4 | ||
| OCM | Oral Communication | OCM | 3 | ||
| Elective | General Electives | 3–4 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
| 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:
Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:
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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASB102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | Critical course Gateway course | G, SB, SCB | 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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved general education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. | MA | 3–6 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASM104 | Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution | Critical course Gateway course | NSI, SB, SG | 4 | |
| IAM | Institutions of the Americas | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | IAM | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASB222 or ASB223 |
Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: Old World or Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: New World | Critical course Gateway course | G, H, HU, SB, SCB or AHM, G, H, HU, SB | 3 | |
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | May be fulfilled by ASB223 | AHM | 3 | |
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | May be fulfilled by ASB222 | SCB | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | AHM | 3 | ||
| IAM | Institutions of the Americas | IAM | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSI | Natural Sciences | NSI | 4 | ||
| Elective | General Electives | 3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective | General Electives | 3–4 | |||
| Elective | General Electives | 3–6 | |||
| Elective | General Electives | 0–3 |
General Electives
Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.
Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment.
Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement.
Recommended:
AFR/ASB/CCS202 Ethnic Relations in the United States 3
ASB100 Introduction to Global Health 3
ASB211 Women in Other Cultures 3
ASB214 Magic, Witchcraft and Healing: An Introduction to Comparative Religion 3
ASB220 Anthropology Goes to the Movies 3
ASB226 Human Impacts on Ancient Environments 3
ASB230 Principles of Archaeology 3
ASB231 Archaeological Field Methods 4
ASB234 Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt 3
ASB235 Southwest Archaeology 3
ASB245 Indians of the Southwest 3
ASB252 Sports and Culture 3
ASB253 Death and Dying Across Cultures 3
+ ASB282++ Service-Learning Experience in Anthropology 1-3
+ ASB298++ Special Projects 1-3
ASM275 Forensic Anthropology 4
Recommended for ASU, Anthropology, BA; UA, Anthropology (Archaeological Sciences Emphasis), BS; and UA, Anthropology (Archaeological Sciences Emphasis), BS
+ MAT206 Elements of Statistics (3) OR
+ PSY230 Introduction to Statistics (3) OR
+ PSY230 Introduction to Statistics (3) AND
+ PSY231 Laboratory for Statistics (1) OR
+ PSY230WL Introduction to Statistics with Lab (4) 3-4
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Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Anthropology 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.
- AHM = Arts and Humanities
- FYC = First-Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
- IAM = Institutions of the Americas
- MA = Mathematics
- NSI = Natural Sciences
- OCM = Oral Communication
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- WCM = Written Communication
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 at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/acres.woa/wa/customView?id=16461307.
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 Anthropology