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
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. (REL100, REL151, REL205, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [SB])
- Apply a range of methodological and theoretical approaches to religious phenomena. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [CS], [FYC], [MA], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
- 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. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
- Apply theoretical knowledge of religious phenomena to lived, practical contexts, both historical and current. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
- 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. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 4-26 | |
| FYE101 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR | |
| FYE103 | Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) | 1-3 |
| REL100 | World Religions | 3 |
| Foreign Language Credits: | 0-20 | |
| Completion of a language course at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) with a C or better OR demonstrating proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. | ||
| ARB+++ Any ARB Arabic course(s) | ||
| ASL+++ Any ASL American Sign Language course(s) | ||
| CHI+++ Any CHI Chinese course(s) | ||
| FRE+++ Any FRE French course(s) | ||
| GER+++ Any GER German course(s) | ||
| ITA+++ Any ITA Italian course(s) | ||
| JPN+++ Any JPN Japanese course(s) | ||
| SPA+++ Any SPA Spanish course(s) | 0-20 | |
Course Sequence by Term
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 6-18 | |
| Complete requirements in the transfer option that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. If your intended transfer institution is not listed, then select a combination of courses from the transfer options listed in order to meet the minimum credits required in the Restricted Electives section. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to prevent exceeding your university transfer program`s maximum transferable credits (generally 64). | ||
| Information regarding the articulation of MCCCD courses at the Arizona public universities can be accessed on aztransfer.com | ||
| Transfer Plan 1: Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Religious Studies (Religion, Culture, and Public Life), Bachelor of Arts (BA) | ||
| REL207 | Ritual, Symbol, and Myth | 3 |
| REL270 | Introduction to Christianity | 3 |
| Complete zero to six (0-6) credits of coursework (except courses used to satisfy other requirements) that transfer to ASU as direct equivalencies or departmental electives in the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST. | ||
| Transfer Plan 2: Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Religious Studies (Religion, Politics, and Global Affairs), Bachelor of Arts (BA) | ||
| REL205 | Religion and the Modern World | 3 |
| REL225 | African-American Religions | 3 |
| Complete zero to six (0-6) credits of coursework (except courses used to satisfy other requirements) that transfer to ASU as direct equivalencies or departmental electives in the following ASU course prefixes: AFR, AIS, AMS, APA, ARS, ASB, GCU, HST, JUS, PHI, SGS, SOC, WST. | ||
| Transfer Plan 3: Northern Arizona University (NAU), Comparative Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA) | ||
| HUM245 | Introduction to Holocaust Studies | 3 |
| Complete zero to nine (0-9) credits of coursework that transfers to NAU as direct equivalencies or departmental electives in the REL course prefix. | ||
| Complete six (6) credits of coursework (except courses used to satisfy other requirements) from two different course prefixes that transfer to NAU as direct equivalencies or departmental electives in the following NAU course prefixes: ACM, ARH, CINE, HUM, LAS. | ||
| Transfer Plan 4: University of Arizona (UA), Religious Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA) | ||
| PHI/REL244 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| Complete two (2) of the following courses for a total of six (6) credits | ||
| AIS213/REL203 | American Indian Religions | 3 |
| REL151 | Religion in the Hispanic World | 3 |
| REL206 | Religion in America | 3 |
| AGEC-A | Credits: 26-35 | |
| A single course with an [L], [HU], [SB], [SG], or [SQ] designation may also be used to satisfy the Oral Communication, Critical Reading, and/or Awareness Area ([C], [G] and/or [H]) requirement(s). See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations. | ||
| First-Year Composition [FYC] | Credits: 6 | |
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND | |
| ENG102 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG108 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) | 6 |
| Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] | Credits: 0-3 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area | 3 | |
| May be met by course selections in the Restricted Electives area | ||
| Mathematics [MA] | Credits: 3-6 | |
| MAT140 | College Mathematics (5) OR | |
| MAT141 | College Mathematics (4) OR | |
| MAT142 | College Mathematics (3) OR | |
| MAT145 | College Mathematics with Review (5) OR | |
| MAT146 | College Mathematics with Review (6) OR | |
| Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area (3-6) | 3-6 | |
| Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] | Credits: 3 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] area | 3 | |
| Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] | Credits: 0 | |
| Met by REL100 in the Required Courses area | ||
| AND | ||
| Met by AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, or REL270 in the Restricted Electives area | ||
| Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] | Credits: 6 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] area | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences [SG]/[SQ] | Credits: 8 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences (Quantitative) [SQ] area (4) AND | ||
| Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences (Quantitative) [SQ] area or the Natural Sciences (General) [SG] area (4) | 8 | |
| Awareness Areas | Credits: 0-3 | |
| These requirements may be shared with other AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations. | ||
| Cultural Diversity in the US [C] | Credits: 0-3 | |
| 0-3 | ||
| Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G] | Credits: 0 | |
| Met by REL100 in the Required Courses area | ||
| MCCCD Additional Requirements | ||
| MCCCD Additional Requirements | Credits: 0-6 | |
| Some courses in this area have [SB] and [L] designations and may also be applied to the corresponding AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations. | ||
| Oral Communication | Credits: 0-3 | |
| COM100 | Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR | |
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication (3) OR | |
| COM225 | Public Speaking (3) OR | |
| COM230 | Small Group Communication (3) | 0-3 |
| Critical Reading | Credits: 0-3 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR | |
| Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) | 0-3 | |
Course Area Key
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
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.