Two student mechanics work on automobile engines

Trades and professions

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Occupational training to enhance your career

Ready to start learning a trade or preparing for a new occupation? Do you wish to work in a specific industry? Perhaps you want to build on your skills in your current career?

Occupational programs at Maricopa Community Colleges are designed to prepare you to enter the workforce, and include the Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) and the Certificate of Completion (CCL).

We offer a wide range of occupational training at an affordable cost and with built-in flexibility to meet your needs. Additionally, Maricopa provides career information to help you determine that an occupational degree or certificate is right for you.
A supervisor demonstrates a task to an employee as they both look at monitor in a factory setting

Maricopa’s occupational degrees and certificates

The AAS requires 60 or more credits in courses numbered 100 or above, including courses designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to a specific occupation and courses in general education. An AAS may contain one or more certificates, and the certificates may constitute a series that leads to completion of the AAS.

The CCL requires any specified number of credits in courses numbered 100 or above. The CCL may be part of an AAS program or may stand alone.

A student with pencil in hand listens to an in-class lecture

Maricopa’s academic degrees and certificates

Interested in transferring to a four-year college or university? View Maricopa’s academic programs for university transfer – for example, the Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) – that prepare students for continuing college-level study.

Maricopa also offers academic certificates (AC) in a limited number of subjects should you wish to pursue that option.