Division of Academic and Student Affairs

The Division of Academic and Student Affairs acts as a catalyst to enhance and support the core mission of the Maricopa Community Colleges - student learning and student success of our diverse communities through leadership, service, innovation, and collaboration.

The points of priority include:  to develop a culture of evidence where we engage in responsible innovation and disciplined risk taking and to make data-informed decisions to enhance our pedagogy, programs and services to students.

Academic Assessment and Research Office

This office facilitates the Accreditation website for common information about the Maricopa district to provide to its regional accrediting agency, the MCCCD Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the planning, research, assessment and effectiveness function focused on the academic/instructional area.

Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation

The Center provides broad, integrated services to the District and the colleges, a seamless connection between curriculum and transfer for students, and a focused point of connection to the threee state universities in Arizona.

The Center is committed to the development and continuous improvement of curricular services, resources and systems meeting the needs of learners. The Office collaborates with internal and external associates in promoting innovative ideas addressing the curricular needs of the diverse Maricopa community.”

Curriculum Procedures Handbook

The Handbook provides information and guidelines on the development, processing and implementation of MCCCD curriculum.

The Curriculum Development Process

A number of individuals and groups play a crucial role as partners in the development of curriculum for the Maricopa Community Colleges. They include: the College Curriculum Committee, College Curriculum Technician or Vice President's of Academic Affairs Secretary, College President, Coordinator of Transfer and Articulation, Department/Division Chair and District Curriculum Committee (and Ad Hoc workgroups), District Director of Curriculum, District Director for Workforce Development, Initiator of Curriculum proposal, Instructional Council, Instructional Design Facilitator, Occupational Dean and the Occupational Program Advisory Committee, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The linkage between college and the District office is through the College Instructional Design Facilitator and the College Curriculum Technician who are in regular contact with the District Curriculum Office.  This partnership facilitates the processing of curriculum between and among colleges and the district office.

The College Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) - The VPAA is responsible for the coordination of development efforts at the campus level. The Vice President works with the Occupational Dean to guide the development of occupational curricula at the campus.  The faculty member(s) initiating the curricular proposal works in tandem with the college Instructional Design Facilitators to write the proposal. The Vice President involves various individuals and groups in the development process as appropriate, and in the refining of curriculum processes.  The District Curriculum Office provides guidance and support as well.

The Vice President then initiates the formal recommendation and approval stage by forwarding a Curriculum Transmittal Memorandum and the proposal to the appropriate Instructional Council. With the Councils’ recommendation, the VP submits the proposal to the College Curriculum Committee which is typically chaired by the VP.  With the Committee’s support, the Vice President then recommends approval of a proposal initiated at his/her college to the College President.  The President recommends approval of a curriculum proposal initiated at the college prior to submission to the District Curriculum Committee, chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.  These groups are briefly highlighted below.

Instructional Councils - The Instructional Councils evaluate course and new occupational program proposals from a Vice President (Academic Affairs), receive occupational program modification proposals as informational items, and evaluate the appropriateness and quality of the curriculum proposal content and its impact on the disciplines tied to that curriculum.

College Curriculum Committee - Their responsibilities include:  to evaluate the curriculum proposal initiated at their college, to evaluate a proposal when a response has not been received from the Instructional Council within ten instructional days, ensure that  curriculum proposal is well-developed with relevant supporting materials,  evaluate the impact of a curriculum proposal on the college curricula, and consider the recommendations of the Instructional Councils and Advisory Committees on curriculum that is being proposed.

District Curriculum Committee - The District Curriculum Committee plays a major role in a number of areas as “stated” on the web. Broad roles include: Facilitating the curricular processes, providing guidance and support to the subcommittees and groups that report to the District Curriculum Committee, broadening the curricular role – large systemic role at multiple levels: local, state, national, strengthening the relationship of the work of the District Curriculum Committee to curriculum and assessment, communicating the District Curriculum Committee meeting outcomes to the member’s constituents.

For more information on Curriculum Process, Roles/Responsibilities, Procedures, or Calendar for Curriculum Processing, see the site.

Program, Certificate and Degree Requirements

The District Curriculum Office maintains the most current information on the various academic programs, curriculum and degrees, based on action taken by the District Governing Board.  MCCCD’s current programs include:

• Associate in Arts (AA)
• Associate in Arts Elementary Education (AA EE)
• Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
• Associate in Business (ABUS)
• Associate in General Studies (AGS)
• Associate in Science (AS)
• Associate in Transfer Partnership Degrees (ATP)
• Arizona General Education Certificate (AGEC)
• Certificates (CCL & AC)

The Center also maintains a Matrix of MCCCD courses that can be used to satisfy AGEC requirements. Several of the degrees (AA, AA EE, ABUS and AS) contain an AGEC requirement within the degree requirements.

Articulation Agreements and Course Equivalency

The Center seeks to coordinate, facilitate and support projects and programs for the district in support of smooth and seamless student transfer from one level to the next, so that students do not experience delay, duplication of courses, or loss of transfer credits that apply to degree completion.

Curriculum Information for Students

College Specific Resources - Each college provides a catalogue concerning Academic Programs, Course Descriptions, Tuition and Fees, Policies and other General Information about the programs offered at the specific college. Students can also search online by visiting the website of the college of choice.

Academic Calendar - The Academic Calendars for students, faculty and staff accountability are posted on the web. These include the most recent year, the current year, and the next year.  The individual colleges and centers may modify start dates in order to meet special needs.

Course Equivalency Guide (CEG) - The CEG informs how Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona accept transfer coursework from the Arizona public institutions (which includes the Maricopa Community Colleges).  The “cautions” statements should be read before using the CEG, given that the CEG is routinely updated to reflect programmatic changes at the three public Arizona universities and that applicability of the transfer credit to completion of major requirements at the universities is not indicated in the CEG.

Grants Office

Healthcare Education

The Health Care Integrated Educational System is comprised of over 30 healthcare programs offered throughout the Maricopa Community Colleges, and offers a variety of services to healthcare students, faculty and the healthcare industry.

International and Intercultural Education

The International and Intercultural Education Office provides flexible educational and student centered opportunities to prepare students for participating in the global community.

Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC)

MATEC seeks to advance the field of Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology education through the creation of competency-based curriculum, diverse and effective professional development training and opportunities, and replicable workforce/program development models and offerings. MATEC’s materials and services are a collaborative effort between education and industry.

Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI)

The MCLI is dedicated to supporting and advancing learning and instruction…by working collaboratively with faculty, administrators and district wide groups to provide quality programs, services and resources.  The MCLI provides a myriad of services and products many of which are customized to address faculty development interests.

The MCLI has developed programs and budget support for various programs such as Ocotillo, the Maricopa Institute for Learning and All Faculty Convocation, Fine Arts, Honors, Maricopa CARES, Faculty Staff Development programs, NSF-funded Systemic Reform in Science (SyRIS), Learning Grants, Faculty Dialogue Days, Faculty-In-Residence position, District Student Academic Achievement Committee, Adjunct Faculty Professional Growth Program and the Faculty in Progress Program.

The faculty in progress program has evolved into today’s Maricopa Faculty Internship Program, which calls for identifying a pool of external and internal candidates through a competitive process. The 9-month internship focuses on learning the multiple roles of Maricopa faculty. The District seeks to actively recruit candidates in disciplines where there is an underutilization as identified by the district’s Affirmative Action Plan.  At the present time the identified areas include:  English/Humanities/Social Science; Mathematics; Natural Sciences; and Nursing.  Participation in the internship provides development opportunities for those becoming residential faculty; it does not guarantee a residential faculty position. All interested candidates must apply for and be selected through the competitive hiring process.

MCLI staff also provide consultation and support to the colleges on instructional design, technology innovations, assessment, and evaluation.

Student Affairs

Arizona Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC)

The Arizona SBDC Network serves as an innovative partnership between the state’s ten community college districts and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The network was formed in 1988 and is the largest and most accessible source of assistance to Arizona businesses with fewer than 200 employees.

Center for Workforce Development (CFWD)

The Center serves as a central resource and hub for current labor market information, regional and national data on economic and workforce trends and issues, and in bringing together industry and education for discussions on curriculum and faculty training.

National Center for Teacher Education

The National Center for Teacher Education is involved in various local, state and national projects and partnerships that promote the Maricopa Community Colleges as a leader in the larger community. The programs are: The Teacher Education Partnership Commission (TEPC), The National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs and Office of Public School Programs.