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

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Notes

Program Notes wording correction to: 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

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.

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 Show expanded career information for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Clergy

$55,430 Show expanded career information for Clergy

Directors, Religious Activities and Education

$53,490 Show expanded career information for Directors, Religious Activities and Education

Funeral Attendants

$31,420 Show expanded career information for Funeral Attendants

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$46,350 Show expanded career information for Museum Technicians and Conservators

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

$57,310 Show expanded career information for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

$69,470 Show expanded career information for Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

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

Social and Community Service Managers

$69,700 Show expanded career information for Social and Community Service Managers

Social and Human Service Assistants

$39,460 Show expanded career information for Social and Human Service Assistants

Tour Guides and Escorts

$38,180 Show expanded career information for Tour Guides and Escorts

* 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 Religious Studies
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Religious Studies (Religion, Culture, and Public Life), Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Religious Studies (Religion, Politics, and Global Affairs), Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Northern Arizona University (NAU), Comparative Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
University of Arizona (UA), Religious Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

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 1Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
REL100	World Religions		Critical course Gateway course	G, HU	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	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3

Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 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 RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		Select a pathway to see specific HU requirement	HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
REL270	Introduction to Christianity			HU	3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
REL225	African-American Religions			C, HU	3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
HUM245	Introduction to Holocaust Studies		Critical course	HU	3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course that transfers to NAU as a REL direct equivalency or REL departmental elective.		0–3
PHI/REL244	Philosophy of Religion		Critical course	HU	3

Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 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	Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously.	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative			SQ	4
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application			CS	3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Select a pathway to see specific L requirement	L	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
REL207	Ritual, Symbol, and Myth	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or permission of Department or Division.	Critical course	HU, L	3
REL205	Religion and the Modern World	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.	Critical course	HU, L	3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course (except a course used to satisfy other requirements) from that transfers to NAU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following NAU course prefixes: ACM, ARH, CINE, LAS, HUM. Related area courses must be selected from two different prefixes.		3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		[L] May be met by a Related Area Course, COM225, or CRE101	L	0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course that transfers to NAU as a REL direct equivalency or REL departmental elective.		0–3
AIS213/REL203 or REL151 or REL206	American Indian Religions or Religion in the Hispanic World or Religion in America	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites or No requisites		C, HU, L or G, HU or HU	3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		[L] May be met by ASI213/REL203, COM225, or CRE101	L	0–3

Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SQ or SG	Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General			SQ or SG	4
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Related Area	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course (except a course used to satisfy other requirements) from that transfers to NAU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following NAU course prefixes: ACM, ARH, CINE, LAS, HUM. Related area courses must be selected from two different prefixes.		3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course that transfers to NAU as a REL direct equivalency or REL departmental elective.		0–3
AIS213/REL203 or REL151 or REL206	American Indian Religions or Religion in the Hispanic World or Religion in America	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites or No requisites		C, HU, L or G, HU or HU	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
REL100	World Religions		Critical course Gateway course	G, HU	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 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 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 RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		Select a pathway to see specific HU requirement	HU	3
REL270	Introduction to Christianity			HU	3
REL225	African-American Religions			C, HU	3
HUM245	Introduction to Holocaust Studies		Critical course	HU	3
PHI/REL244	Philosophy of Religion		Critical course	HU	3

Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3
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
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course (except a course used to satisfy other requirements) from that transfers to NAU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following NAU course prefixes: ACM, ARH, CINE, LAS, HUM. Related area courses must be selected from two different prefixes.		3
AIS213/REL203 or REL151 or REL206	American Indian Religions or Religion in the Hispanic World or Religion in America	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites or No requisites		C, HU, L or G, HU or HU	3

Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences		SB	3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative		SQ	4
Transfer Option	Transfer Option			0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST		0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course	Complete a course that transfers to NAU as a REL direct equivalency or REL departmental elective.		0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
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	Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously.	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3

Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Select a pathway to see specific L requirement	L	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–3
REL207	Ritual, Symbol, and Myth	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or permission of Department or Division.	Critical course	HU, L	3
REL205	Religion and the Modern World	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.	Critical course	HU, L	3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		[L] May be met by a Related Area Course, COM225, or CRE101	L	0–3
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course (except a course used to satisfy other requirements) from that transfers to NAU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in one of the following NAU course prefixes: ACM, ARH, CINE, LAS, HUM. Related area courses must be selected from two different prefixes.		3
AIS213/REL203 or REL151 or REL206	American Indian Religions or Religion in the Hispanic World or Religion in America	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites or No requisites		C, HU, L or G, HU or HU	3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		[L] May be met by ASI213/REL203, COM225, or CRE101	L	0–3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application			CS	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 8Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences		SB	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option			0–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Related Area	Related Area Course	Complete a course that transfers to NAU as a REL direct equivalency or REL departmental elective.		0–3

Term 9Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SQ or SG	Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General			SQ or SG	4
Related Area	Related Area Course		Complete a course that transfers to NAU as a REL direct equivalency or REL departmental elective.		0–3

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
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=188773).

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 Religious Studies