Associate in Arts, Emphasis in English (Creative Writing)

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in English (Creative Writing) program is designed to prepare students for transfer to a university bachelor's degree program. It also provides them with access to a community of writers and creative writing activities, instruction and guidance from established authors, and ongoing support in improving their writing skills and marketing their work. The program offers classes, workshops, and other activities such as readings and contests, which are accessible to writers of all levels regardless of academic or professional standing. The program aims to serve a diverse community who may be underrepresented in traditional creative writing programs.

Details

Field of Interest

Culture and Society

Degree Type

Associate in Arts (AA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in English (Creative Writing) (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8118

Total credits required

60-64

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

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.

What You'll Learn

Analyze the aesthetic values and literary styles of diverse eras and cultures.
Examine the technical elements of literature across multiple genres.
Interpret the effects of technical craft elements in published literary works.
Explore the dynamic relationships among people, culture, and the physical world.
Demonstrate social responsibility and ethical behavior toward the creation of original works in a culturally diverse world.
Engage the creative process through problem-solving, experimentation, and inspiration to produce original works across multiple genres.
Apply the peer review workshop process to explore, develop, and revise original writing.
Prepare original works for publication following established conventions.

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.

Editors

$64,940 Show expanded career information for Editors

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

$66,630 Show expanded career information for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Interpreters and Translators

$37,840 Show expanded career information for Interpreters and Translators

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

$53,620 Show expanded career information for Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

$38,450 Show expanded career information for Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Writers and Authors

$53,620 Show expanded career information for Writers and Authors

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

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in English (Creative Writing)
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), English (Creative Writing), Bachelor of Arts
Northern Arizona University, English (Creative Writing Emphasis), Bachelor of Arts

Full-time
Part-time

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
CRW160	Introduction to Writing Poetry		Critical course		3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
MAT14+	College Mathematics		OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
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	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG100LL or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113)] or a grade of B or better in ALT100 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
CRW170	Introduction to Writing Fiction		Critical course		3
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application			CS	3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 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	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative			SQ	4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	0–3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3
ASU ENG Elective	ASU ENG Elective		Complete three (3) credits that transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in the ENG prefix. This course may be used to fulfill any outstanding AGEC requirements simultaneously.		3
CRW150 or ENG200 or ENG215 or ENH190 or ENH202 or ENH222 or ENH241 or ENH242 or ENH285	Introduction to Creative Writing or Reading and Writing About Literature or Strategies of Academic Writing or Introduction to US Ethnic Literature or World Literature After the Renaissance or Survey of English Literature After 1800 or American Literature Before 1860 or American Literature After 1860 or Contemporary Women Writers	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG102. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG102, or ENG111, or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites or Corequisites: ENG101 or ENG107. or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101. or No requisites or No requisites		None or HU, L or L or C, H, HU or H, HU or H, HU or C, HU, L or HU or C, HU	3
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	3

Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	0–3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	3
CRW270 or CRW271 or NAU ENG Elective	Intermediate Fiction Writing or Topics in Writing: Fiction or 200-level NAU ENG Elective	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CRW170. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CRW150 or permission of Instructor. or No requisites	OR Any course that transfers to NAU as a 200-level ENG direct equivalency or departmental elective.		3
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	0–3

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
CRW160	Introduction to Writing Poetry		Critical course		3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	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
MAT14+	College Mathematics		OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3

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	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences			SB	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application			CS	3
CRW170	Introduction to Writing Fiction		Critical course		3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative			SQ	4
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences			SB	3

Term 6Term 6Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6Term 6Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				3
ASU ENG Elective	ASU ENG Elective		Complete three (3) credits that transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in the ENG prefix. This course may be used to fulfill any outstanding AGEC requirements simultaneously.		3
CRW150 or ENG200 or ENG215 or ENH190 or ENH202 or ENH222 or ENH241 or ENH242 or ENH285	Introduction to Creative Writing or Reading and Writing About Literature or Strategies of Academic Writing or Introduction to US Ethnic Literature or World Literature After the Renaissance or Survey of English Literature After 1800 or American Literature Before 1860 or American Literature After 1860 or Contemporary Women Writers	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG102. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG102, or ENG111, or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites or Corequisites: ENG101 or ENG107. or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101. or No requisites or No requisites		None or HU, L or L or C, H, HU or H, HU or H, HU or C, HU, L or HU or C, HU	3

Term 7Term 7Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7Term 7Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective	Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry		HU or L	0–3
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry		HU or L	3
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry		HU or L	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4

Term 9Term 9Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9Term 9Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	0–3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
CRW270 or CRW271 or NAU ENG Elective	Intermediate Fiction Writing or Topics in Writing: Fiction or 200-level NAU ENG Elective	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CRW170. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CRW150 or permission of Instructor. or No requisites	OR Any course that transfers to NAU as a 200-level ENG direct equivalency or departmental elective.		3
HU or L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design or Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU or L	0–3

Course Area Key

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.

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=189976).

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.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in English (Creative Writing)