Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Law and Policy | Programs & Degrees

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Learn more about the Law and Policy program.

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Field of Interest

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Law and Policy degree provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in law and policy or are preparing for graduate programs in law or other related fields. With a bachelor's degree, students may work in areas where a license to practice law is not required. These areas include, but are not limited to compliance, contracts, risk management, human resources, public policy, probation, insurance, finance, real estate, city planning and administration.

Details

Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest

Behavioral Science and Human Services

Type

Associate in Arts (AA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Law and Policy (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8141

Total Credits Required

60-64

Catalog Year

2026-2027

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:
U of A, Law, BA

Refer 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:

Use critical analysis and creative thinking to develop solutions.
Formulate and defend arguments.
Critically analyze complex textual material.
Communicate complex ideas clearly with a purpose appropriate to the context or audience in written and oral forms.
Demonstrate empathetic and active listening skills.
Demonstrate information literacy by identifying a research need and accessing and critically evaluating information for the appropriate context.
Synthesize multiple sources of information to achieve an objective within a given context.
Apply professional guidelines for the ethical promotion of justice in the legal system.
Explain the role of law in a free society.
Demonstrate techniques and skills for developing and maintaining a collaborative environment with diverse internal and external agents.
Compare and contrast the US legal system with other legal systems.
Apply legal concepts, doctrines, and theories appropriate to a given context.
Utilize appropriate technology to accomplish objectives relevant to the context.
Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

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.

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

$121,939

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

$79,390

Compliance Managers

$95,986

Human Resources Specialists

$66,175

Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

$54,003

Investigate, analyze, and determine the extent of insurance company's liability concerning personal, casualty, or property loss or damages, and attempt to effect settlement with claimants. Correspond with or interview medical specialists, agents, witnesses, or claimants to compile information. Calculate benefit payments and approve payment of claims within a certain monetary limit.

Typical Education Level

a Bachelor's degree

Hourly Median Wage

$25.96

Annual Median Wage

$54,003

Annual Job Openings

1,258

Number of People Employed

12,664

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 9.0 %

Insurance Claims Examiners

$54,003

Insurance Underwriters

$74,113

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

$138,205

Judicial Law Clerks

$61,350

Labor Relations Specialists

$79,819

Lawyers

$130,818

Legislators

$41,274

Postsecondary Education Administrators

$104,856

Postsecondary Law Teachers

$73,152

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$62,227

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

Typical Education Level

a Bachelor's degree

Hourly Median Wage

$29.91

Annual Median Wage

$62,227

Annual Job Openings

Number of People Employed

490

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 9.2 %

Public Relations Specialists

$65,912

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

$73,293

Social and Community Service Managers

$74,380

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Typical Education Level

a Bachelor's degree

Hourly Median Wage

$35.75

Annual Median Wage

$74,380

Annual Job Openings

185

Number of People Employed

2,277

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 12.7 %

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

$61,513

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Typical Education Level

a high school diploma or less

Hourly Median Wage

$29.57

Annual Median Wage

$61,513

Annual Job Openings

121

Number of People Employed

1,239

4-Year Employment Growth

Increase by 5.7 %

* 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.

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
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
POS110	American National Government		Critical course Gateway course	IAM, SB	3
MAT15+	College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206.	QNR	3–6
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: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM	3
OCM	Oral Communication			OCM	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
PAD100 or POS120 or POS210	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Political Ideologies		Policy Focus: Select two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits from the following: PAD100, POS120, POS210	None or SB, SCB, G or SB, SCB	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.	Critical course	FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC	3
AHM	Arts and Humanities		Recommend AJS123	AHM	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences		May be met by POS120 OR POS210 in the Plan Course Requirements area.	SCB	3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PAD100 or POS120 or POS210	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Political Ideologies		Policy Focus: Select two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits from the following: PAD100, POS120, POS210	None or SB, SCB, G or SB, SCB	3
AHM	Arts and Humanities			AHM	3
NSI	Natural Sciences		Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	NSI	4
AJS101 or AJS109 or AJS201 or AJS210 or AJS212 or AJS230 or AJS260 or LAS109 or PAR101 or PAR102 or PAR112 or POS223	Introduction to Criminal Justice or Substantive Criminal Law or Rules of Evidence or Constitutional Law or Juvenile Justice Procedures or The Police Function or Procedural Criminal Law or Civil Procedures I or Introduction to the Paralegal Profession or Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I or Civil Litigation I or Civil Rights and Liberties	No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Paralegal Studies program. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS101 and (BPC110 or CIS105 or permission of Program Director). or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment), or permission of Program Director. or No requisites	Law Focus: Note: LAS109 is available at Phoenix College as part of their Paralegal Studies program. Students accepted into this program may use this course to satisfy this requirement.	IAM, SB or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or C, IAM, SB	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
NSI	Natural Sciences		NSI	4
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences	May be met by POS120 OR POS210 in the Plan Course Requirements area.	SCB	3
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective			3
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective			0–3
Elective	General Elective			0–3

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.

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: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	Critical course	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
POS110	American National Government		Critical course Gateway course	IAM, SB	3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT15+	College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206.	QNR	3–6
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.	Critical course	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
OCM	Oral Communication			OCM	3
PAD100 or POS120 or POS210	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Political Ideologies		Policy Focus: Select two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits from the following: PAD100, POS120, POS210	None or SB, SCB, G or SB, SCB	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AHM	Arts and Humanities		Recommend AJS123.	AHM	3
NSI	Natural Sciences		Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	NSI	4

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PAD100 or POS120 or POS210	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Political Ideologies		Policy Focus: Select two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits from the following: PAD100, POS120, POS210	None or SB, SCB, G or SB, SCB	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences		May be met by POS120 OR POS210 in the Plan Course Requirements area.	SCB	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AHM	Arts and Humanities			AHM	3
NSI	Natural Sciences		Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	NSI	4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS101 or AJS109 or AJS201 or AJS210 or AJS212 or AJS230 or AJS260 or LAS109 or PAR101 or PAR102 or PAR112 or POS223	Introduction to Criminal Justice or Substantive Criminal Law or Rules of Evidence or Constitutional Law or Juvenile Justice Procedures or The Police Function or Procedural Criminal Law or Civil Procedures I or Introduction to the Paralegal Profession or Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I or Civil Litigation I or Civil Rights and Liberties	No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Paralegal Studies program. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS101 and (BPC110 or CIS105 or permission of Program Director). or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment), or permission of Program Director. or No requisites	Law Focus: Note: LAS109 is available at Phoenix College as part of their Paralegal Studies program. Students accepted into this program may use this course to satisfy this requirement.	IAM, SB or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or None or C, IAM, SB	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences		May be met by POS120 OR POS210 in the Plan Course Requirements area.	SCB	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective	3
Plan Elective	Plan Course Elective	0–3
Elective	General Elective	0–3

Plan Course Electives

Students should complete three to six (3-6) credits from one or more of the categories below that best align with their academic and professional goals.
Constitutional Foundations:
AJS210 Constitutional Law 3
LAS101 Introduction to Law 3
PAR101 Introduction to the Paralegal Profession 3
+ PAR106 Legal Foundations for Paralegals 3
POS223 Civil Rights and Liberties 3

Criminal Law:
AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law 3
AJS201 Rules of Evidence 3
AJS212 Juvenile Justice Procedures 3
AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law 3

Civil Law:
+ LAS109 Civil Procedures I 3
+ LAS110 Civil Procedures II 3
+ LAS204 Contract Law 3
+ LAS211 Legal Research 3
+ LAS212 Tort Law 3
+ LAS214 Business Organizations 3
+ PAR112 Civil Litigation I 3
+ PAR114 Civil Litigation II 3
Note: LAS109 is available at Phoenix College as part of their Paralegal Studies program. Students accepted into this program may use this course to satisfy this requirement.

Applications of Law:
AJS225 Criminology 3
AJS230 The Police Function 3
AJS240 The Correction Function 3
AJS/EMT/FSC258 Victimology and Crisis Management in Public Safety 3
SWU258 Victimology and Crisis, a Social Services Perspective 3
GBS205 Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business 3
+ PAR102 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I 3
+ PAR103 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing II 3

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Law and Policy 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
C = Cultural Diversity in the US
FYC = First-Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
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

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=16461841.

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 Law and Policy