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Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Computer Science degree provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in computer science. With an associate degree, students may seek employment as a computer user support specialist. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue employment opportunities in several careers, including computer network architects, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, database administrators, information security analysts, network and computer systems administrators, and/or software developers in a number of sectors including arts, sciences, manufacturing, engineering, medicine, energy, and security.

Details

Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Science (AS)
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8601
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

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

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering), Computer Science (any emphasis), BS

Refer to the for more information: .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Write programs in a variety of programming languages and computing environments.
  • Apply knowledge of computing and mathematics to model situations in a variety of disciplines.
  • Analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a software solution to meet required specifications.
  • Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of software, and demonstrate an understanding of tradeoffs involved in design choices.
  • Demonstrate creativity, adaptability, and flexibility in solving problems.
  • Apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.
  • Demonstrate ethical reasoning and professional conduct in computing disciplines.
  • Collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds to accomplish a common goal.
  • Effectively communicate with a variety of audiences orally, visually, and in writing.
  • Demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt in a constantly evolving technical environment.
Career Statistics

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.

Computer Network Architects
$118,810
Computer Programmers
$79,350
Computer Systems Analysts
$98,470
Computer User Support Specialists
$55,190
Database Administrators
$93,990
Information Security Analysts
$108,640
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$87,900

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:

  • Software Developers, Applications
  • Software Developers, Systems Software

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data 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 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
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.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or CS or CS or CS 3–4
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
or
 or 1–3
( and
) or
( and
) or
or
or
or
or
or
( and
) or
 ( and ) or ( and ) or or or or or or ( and ) or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ in combo w/ GLG103 and SQ or SQ 4–5

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS 4
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
( and
) or
or
or
or
or
( and
) or
 ( and ) or or or or or ( and ) or SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ or SQ or SG or SG or H; SG in combo w/ GLG104 and SG in combo w/ GLG102 or H, SG 4

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS 3–4
4
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
and
 and HU and L 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or 3–4
3
and
 and HU and C 3
or
or
 or or SB or SB or SB 3
( and
) or
( and
)		 ( and ) or ( and ) SB and G or SB and H 3

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.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or CS or CS or CS 3–4
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
( and
) or
( and
) or
or
or
or
or
or
( and
) or
 ( and ) or ( and ) or or or or or or ( and ) or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ in combo w/ GLG103 and SQ or SQ 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS 4
or
 or MA or MA 4–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
( and
) or
or
or
or
or
( and
) or
 ( and ) or or or or or ( and ) or SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ or SQ or SG or SG or H; SG in combo w/ GLG104 and SG in combo w/ GLG102 or H, SG 4

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS 3–4
or
 or MA or MA 4–5

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
4
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
and
 and HU and L 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or 3–4
3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
and
 and HU and C 3
or
or
 or or SB or SB or SB 3
( and
) or
( and
)		 ( and ) or ( and ) SB and G or SB and H 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  for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement.

Course Area Key
  • 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.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

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, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

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.