Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Mathematics

Mathematics
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Program Information

Learn more about the Mathematics program.

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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Mathematics provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution and earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, computational mathematical science, or related fields. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue a number of careers including actuary, statistical assistant, and business intelligence analyst. With a graduate degree, students may pursue employment as a mathematician or statistician, which may include teaching at institutions of higher education, or as an analyst in a number of fields including finance, data science, cryptography, and scientific computing.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Academic Plan Code
8125
Total Credits Required
60 - 64
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Notes

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Mathematics, BS
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Mathematics (Statistics), BS
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Computational Mathematical Sciences, BS
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Mathematics, BA
ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Applied Mathematics, BS
U of A, Mathematics (Any Emphasis), BA
U of A, Mathematics (Any Emphasis), BS
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:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of proportional relationships, spatial reasoning, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
  2. Demonstrate the interconnectedness of mathematical ideas and how they build on one another.
  3. Use patterns and relationships to make generalizations and predictions.
  4. Present information accurately in various ways
  5. Apply appropriate mathematical strategies and reasoning to solve problems.
  6. Justify mathematical processes and results.
  7. Use technology to assist in learning and investigating mathematical ideas.
  8. Determine and apply appropriate technologies to solve problems efficiently.
  9. Critically evaluate information for relevance, usefulness, and applicability.
  10. Communicate mathematics both orally and in writing using appropriate terminology and notation.
  11. Critique the reasoning of others.

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 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.

Actuaries
$98,380
Business Intelligence Analysts
$96,990
Financial Quantitative Analysts
$73,870
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$69,960
Mathematicians
$112,430
Operations Research Analysts
$78,330
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$55,180
Statistical Assistants
$48,350
Statisticians
$97,450
There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below, with links to salary information for the United States as a whole (if available):
  • Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
* 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.

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
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Critical course Gateway course OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. MA, QNR or MA, QNR 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
AHM Arts and Humanities AHM 3
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 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
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Critical course MA, QNR or MA, QNR 4–5
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
OCM Oral Communication OCM 3
CSC110 or
CSC110AA or
CSC110AB		 Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) CS or CS or CS 3–4

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA, QNR or MA, QNR 4–5
AHM Arts and Humanities AHM 3
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 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
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3
Elective General Elective 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.

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
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Critical course Gateway course OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. MA, QNR or MA, QNR 4–5
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 FYC, WCM 3
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Critical course MA, QNR or MA, QNR 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA, QNR or MA, QNR 4–5
AHM Arts and Humanities AHM 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CSC110 or
CSC110AA or
CSC110AB		 Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) CS or CS or CS 3–4
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
OCM Oral Communication OCM 3
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 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 NSI 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences SCB 3
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective General Elective 3

Courses Not Currently Offered

Mesa Community College does not currently offer these courses. These courses may be offered by other Maricopa Community Colleges as indicated below. Select the link to view current availability and whether courses are offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Tuition rates are the same across Maricopa Community Colleges, but course fees may vary.

Courses listed in this pathway map that are not currently offered at Mesa Community College
Course Number Course Name Offering Colleges
CSC110 Introduction to Computer Science (Java) Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado

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 and other requirements.

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Mathematics program.

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
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First-Year Composition
  • IAM = Institutions of the Americas
  • MA = Mathematics
  • NSI = Natural Sciences
  • OCM = Oral Communication
  • QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
  • SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • WCM = Written Communication

Official Curriculum Documentation

View Mesa Community College’s catalog page

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

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 Mathematics