Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies
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The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution and specialize in areas of sustainability, environmental science, conservation, or resource management. Upon completion of a bachelor's degree, students may pursue a number of careers including sustainability specialists, chief sustainability officers, compliance managers, environmental scientists, conservation scientists, soil and water conservationists, range managers, and city and regional planning aides. With a graduate degree, students may pursue a career in several areas including hydrology, urban and regional planning, and post-secondary teaching.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Courses that can be used to fulfill a requirement of the Academic Certificate in Sustainability (Major Code 6240N), Environmental Science (Major Code 6227N), and CCL in Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation (Major Code 5824) while simultaneously fulfilling a requirement of the Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies are noted.
This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:
ASU (College of Global Futures), Sustainability, BA
ASU (College of Global Futures), Sustainability, BS
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Earth and Environmental Sciences, BA
ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Earth and Environmental Sciences, BS
ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Environmental Science, BA
ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Environmental Science, BS
NAU, Environmental Sciences, BS
U of A, Natural Resources, BS
Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU , NAU , U of A .
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
- Critique basic sustainability concepts, factual information, and practices.
- Analyze how social, environmental, and economic systems relate and interact.
- Evaluate the relationships between people and their natural and built environments.
- Recognize policy strategies and ethical considerations relevant in the field of sustainability.
- Examine the scope and complexity of social responsibility.
- Practice systems-thinking toward identifying a solution in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting.
- Effectively communicate ideas among diverse stakeholders to build consensus for sustainability initiatives.
- Analyze and interpret data for sustainability research application.
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.
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
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.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SSH111 | Sustainable Cities | G, HU, SB | 3 | ||
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
MA | Mathematics | Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area. Before enrolling into a math course, speak to your Academic Advisor to ensure you are selecting the correct math for your transfer goals as MAT14+ or MAT15+ are not applicable for all University program requirements. |
MA | 3–9 | |
FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Recommend PHI216 Environmental Ethics for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability. | HU | 3 | |
Option | Option | 3–5 |
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 | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | L | 3 | ||
SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | May be met by SUS110 in the Restricted Electives area. For students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability recommend COM263, ECN212, PSY132, SBU200. |
SB | 3 | |
SQ | Natural Sciences Quantitative | SQ | 4 | ||
Option | Option | 0–4 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CS | Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application | CS | 3 | ||
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | May be met by SSH111 in the Required Courses area if not used to meet Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]. | HU | 0–3 | |
SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | May be met by SSH111 in Required Courses if not used to meet Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]. For students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability recommend COM263, ECN212, PSY132, SBU200. |
SB | 0–3 | |
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | SG or SQ | 4 | ||
Option | Option | 0–4 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SSH111 | Sustainable Cities | G, HU, SB | 3 | ||
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | 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
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA | Mathematics | Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area. Before enrolling into a math course, speak to your Academic Advisor to ensure you are selecting the correct math for your transfer goals as MAT14+ or MAT15+ are not applicable for all University program requirements. |
MA | 3–9 | |
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Recommend PHI216 Environmental Ethics for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability. | HU | 3 | |
Option | Option | 3–5 |
Term 4
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 | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | L | 3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | May be met by SUS110 in the Restricted Electives area. For students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability recommend COM263, ECN212, PSY132, SBU200. |
SB | 3 | |
CS | Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application | CS | 3 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SQ | Natural Sciences Quantitative | SQ | 4 | ||
Option | Option | 0–4 | |||
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | May be met by SSH111 in the Required Courses area if not used to meet Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]. | HU | 0–3 |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | May be met by SSH111 in Required Courses if not used to meet Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]. For students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability recommend COM263, ECN212, PSY132, SBU200. |
SB | 0–3 | |
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | SG or SQ | 4 | ||
Option | Option | 0–4 |
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 MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information.
Recommend for students intending to complete the Academic Certificate in Sustainability to select nine to twelve (9-12) credits of coursework from the following:
ASM104 Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution 4
BIO105 Environmental Biology 4
CHM107 Chemistry and Society (3) AND
+ CHM107LL Chemistry and Society Laboratory (1) 4
COM263 Elements of Intercultural Communication 3
ECN212 Microeconomic Principles 3
ENV101 Introduction to Environmental Science 4
EPS150 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3
FON135 Sustainable Cooking 3
GLG110 Geological Disasters and the Environment (3) AND
GLG111 Geological Disasters and the Environment Lab (1) 4
GPH113 Introduction to Physical Geography 4
PHI216 Environmental Ethics 3
PSY132 Psychology and Culture 3
SBU200 Society and Business 3
SCT100 Introduction to Sustainable Built Environments 3
SUS100 Introduction to Sustainability 3
Environmental Science Electives
Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select up to eight (8) credits of additional science coursework that aligns with your intended transfer program requirements.
AGS260 Soils
BIO181++ General Biology (Majors) I
BIO182++ General Biology (Majors) II
BIO205 Microbiology
CHM152 General Chemistry II AND
CHM152LL General Chemistry II Laboratory OR
CHM152AA General Chemistry II
CHM230 Fundamental Organic Chemistry AND
CHM230LL Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory OR
CHM230AA Fundamental Organic Chemistry with Lab OR
CHM235 General Organic Chemistry I AND
CHM235LL General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory OR
CHM235AA General Organic Chemistry I with Lab
ENV101 Introduction to Environmental Science
ENV225 Our Changing Planet
GLG101 Introduction to Geology I - Physical Lecture AND
GLG103 Introduction to Geology I - Physical Lab OR
GLG101IN Introduction to Geology I - Physical
GLG102 Historical Geology: Primordial to Present Lecture AND
GLG104 Historical Geology: Primordial to Present Lab OR
GLG102IN Historical Geology: Primordial to Present
GLG110 Geological Disasters and the Environment AND
GLG111 Geological Disasters and the Environment Lab OR
GLG110IN Geological Disasters and the Environment
GPH111 Introduction to Physical Geography Lecture AND
GPH112 Introduction to Physical Geography Lab OR
GPH113 Introduction to Physical Geography
GPH210 Society and Environment
PHY101 Introduction to Physics OR
PHY111 General Physics I OR
PHY121 University Physics I: Mechanics
PHY131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
- 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
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=16456317).
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.
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.