Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Philosophy

Philosophy
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Program Information

Learn more about the Philosophy program.

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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Culture and Society

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Philosophy provides focused training in critical thinking, critical reading, writing, reasoning, communication, and civic dialogue, all while developing an understanding of diverse world views. Students gain proficiency in foundational skills for future studies and work in Law, Social Sciences, the Humanities, and Public Policy. This degree prepares students for their bachelor degree transfer pathway and equips them with analytical skills highly valued by employers.

Details

Details icon 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 Philosophy (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8135
Total Credits Required
60-64
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Notes

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

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges to earn a degree with this emphasis.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major questions, central methods, issues, figures, and arguments in the core areas of philosophy and its history.
  2. Critically examine the major questions, central methods, issues, figures, and arguments in the core areas of philosophy and its history.
  3. Employ the tools of formal (deductive) and informal (inductive) logic to identify, construct, analyze, evaluate, and respond to arguments.
  4. Critically evaluate questions of value (e.g., ethics, morality, aesthetics, religion, rationality) with clarity, balance, open-mindedness, and rational rigor.
  5. Compare and contrast texts and philosophical traditions.
  6. Apply philosophical concepts and theories to everyday life problems and other disciplines.
  7. Interpret texts incisively using philosophical methods.
  8. Clearly articulate ideas and arguments in writing and speech.
  9. Engage in self-reflection to examine deeply-held assumptions and to achieve greater self-understanding.
  10. Exhibit openness to alternative conceptual frameworks.
  11. 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

$91,330

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

$63,851

Chief Sustainability Officers

$124,327

Compliance Managers

$87,409

Computer Systems Analysts

$104,781

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

$60,188

General and Operations Managers

$86,753

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

$82,278

Lawyers

$122,300

Legislators

$49,356

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$62,118

Postsecondary Philosophy and Religion Teachers

$64,983

Reporters and Journalists

$49,661

Writers and Authors

$48,447

* 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 Pathway Planner 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.

Full-time Sequence

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.

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
PHI101 Introduction to Philosophy Critical course Gateway course HU 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 101 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
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 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142 or
MAT145 or
MAT146		 College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 102 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or L 0–3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences May be met by COM263, ECN211, ECN212, HIS100, HIS101, HIS102, HIS103, HIS104, and/or PSY101 in Restricted Electives SB 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry May be met by PHI103 in Restricted Electives. PHI103 Recommended L 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 201 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences May be met by COM263, ECN211, ECN212, HIS100, HIS101, HIS102, HIS103, HIS104, and/or PSY101 in Restricted Electives SB 3
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design May be met by HIS101, HIS102, HIS103, HIS110, HIS111, PHI103, PHI105, PHI201, REL100, or REL271 in Restricted Electives
PHI105 recommended. PHI103 recommended if not used to meet Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] 		HU 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application May be met by MAT206 in Restricted Electives CS 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 202 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Part-time Sequence

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.

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
PHI101 Introduction to Philosophy Critical course Gateway course HU 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences May be met by COM263, ECN211, ECN212, HIS100, HIS101, HIS102, HIS103, HIS104, and/or PSY101 in Restricted Electives SB 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
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design May be met by HIS101, HIS102, HIS103, HIS110, HIS111, PHI103, PHI105, PHI201, REL100, or REL271 in Restricted Electives
PHI105 recommended. PHI103 recommended if not used to meet Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] 		HU 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142 or
MAT145 or
MAT146		 College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 101 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences May be met by COM263, ECN211, ECN212, HIS100, HIS101, HIS102, HIS103, HIS104, and/or PSY101 in Restricted Electives SB 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 102 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or L 0–3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry May be met by PHI103 in Restricted Electives. PHI103 Recommended L 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 201 Level See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application May be met by MAT206 in Restricted Electives CS 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3
Second Language Second Language Requirement, 202 Level Second Language Requirement, 202 Level.
See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Pathway Map Option Details

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Philosophy 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.

  • 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

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 (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=176516).