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Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Religious Studies

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Religious Studies contains the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in religious studies. Students will learn about theology and world religions, as well as the historical significance and sociocultural contexts of people's faiths. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue positions including human and social services assistant, director of religious or educational programs, museum technician, funeral attendant, tour guide, or clergy. With a graduate degree, students may pursue positions such as reporter, correspondent, social and community service manager, teacher, or college professors in areas such as religious studies or cultural studies.

Details

Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Religious Studies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8138
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 (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Religious Studies (Religion, Culture, and Public Life), BA

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Religious Studies (Religion, Politics, and Global Affairs), BA

NAU, Comparative Cultural Studies, BA

U of A, Religious Studies, BA

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
  • Compare and contrast multiple religious traditions and the phenomena of religion across and within cultures.
  • Apply a range of methodological and theoretical approaches to religious phenomena.
  • Examine religious phenomena, including issues of ethical and social responsibility, from a perspective of critical inquiry and analysis of both the other and the self.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge of religious phenomena to lived, practical contexts, both historical and current.
  • Employ knowledge of religious phenomena and the skills of religious studies in the solving of complex problems, including those raised in the personal and social engagement of issues of life, death, love, sex, violence, suffering, and meaning.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
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.

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,800
Clergy
$55,430
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$53,490
Funeral Attendants
$31,420
Museum Technicians and Conservators
$46,350
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$57,310
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$69,470
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
$53,620
Social and Community Service Managers
$69,700
Social and Human Service Assistants
$39,460
Tour Guides and Escorts
$38,180

* 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
Critical course Gateway course G, HU 3
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
or
 or 1–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or or Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select the option that aligns with your intended transfer program requirements. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information. C, HU, L or HU or HU or G, HU or HU, L or HU or HU, L or HU 3
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
HU 3
SB 3
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
or
 or or or Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
CS 3
L 3
SQ 4
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB 3
or
 or SG or SQ 4
Elective General Elective 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
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
Critical course Gateway course G, HU 3
or
 or Critical course 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
OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or or Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select the option that aligns with your intended transfer program requirements. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information. C, HU, L or HU or HU or G, HU or HU, L or HU or HU, L or HU 3
HU 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
or
 or or or Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
L 3
SB 3

Term 5

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

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB 3
or
 or SG or SQ 4

Term 7

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

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 0–3
Elective General Elective 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  for more information.

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
  • 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.