Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Law and Policy

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Law and Policy degree provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in law and policy or are preparing for graduate programs in law or other related fields. With a bachelor's degree, students may work in areas where a license to practice law is not required. These areas include, but are not limited to compliance, contracts, risk management, human resources, public policy, probation, insurance, finance, real estate, city planning and administration.

Details

Field of Interest

Behavioral Science and Human Services

Degree Type

Associate in Arts (AA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Law and Policy (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8141

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.

The Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Law and Policy aligns with the University of Arizona Bachelor of Arts in Law.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn

Use critical analysis and creative thinking to develop solutions.
Formulate and defend arguments.
Critically analyze complex textual material.
Communicate complex ideas clearly with a purpose appropriate to the context or audience in written and oral forms.
Demonstrate empathetic and active listening skills.
Demonstrate information literacy by identifying a research need and accessing and critically evaluating information for the appropriate context.
Synthesize multiple sources of information to achieve an objective within a given context.
Apply professional guidelines for the ethical promotion of justice in the legal system.
Explain the role of law in a free society.
Demonstrate techniques and skills for developing and maintaining a collaborative environment with diverse internal and external agents.
Compare and contrast the US legal system with other legal systems.
Apply legal concepts, doctrines, and theories appropriate to a given context.
Utilize appropriate technology to accomplish objectives relevant to the context.
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.

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

$98,190 Show expanded career information for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

$73,420 Show expanded career information for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

$59,030 Show expanded career information for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Compliance Managers

$121,290 Show expanded career information for Compliance Managers

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

$104,250 Show expanded career information for Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Human Resources Specialists

$64,110 Show expanded career information for Human Resources Specialists

Insurance Underwriters

$77,280 Show expanded career information for Insurance Underwriters

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

$100,330 Show expanded career information for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Judicial Law Clerks

$63,860 Show expanded career information for Judicial Law Clerks

Labor Relations Specialists

$81,510 Show expanded career information for Labor Relations Specialists

Law Teachers, Postsecondary

$118,370 Show expanded career information for Law Teachers, Postsecondary

Lawyers

$126,600 Show expanded career information for Lawyers

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$56,120 Show expanded career information for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Public Relations Specialists

$70,390 Show expanded career information for Public Relations Specialists

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

$67,680 Show expanded career information for Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Social and Community Service Managers

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

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

$50,720 Show expanded career information for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

Legislators

* 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.

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
POS110	American National Government		Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
MAT15+	College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
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
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application		BPC110 or CIS105 required for students taking certain LAS and PAR course options.	CS	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or elective		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

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PAD100 or POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or POS285	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Comparative Government or Political Ideologies or Political Issues and Public Policy		Take 2 courses from the following Policy Focus Courses: POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or PAD100 or POS285. Students may select PAD100 or POS285 but not both.	None or G, SB or G, SB or SB or SB	3
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.	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
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	COM225 recommended	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Critical course	L	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 an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor).	Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
PAD100 or POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or POS285	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Comparative Government or Political Ideologies or Political Issues and Public Policy	Take 2 courses from the following Policy Focus Courses: POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or PAD100 or POS285. Students may select PAD100 or POS285 but not both.	None or G, SB or G, SB or SB or SB	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design	Recommend AJS123	HU	3
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative	Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	SQ	4
Law Focus Elective	Law Focus Elective			3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
RE	Restricted Elective			3
RE	Restricted Elective			0–3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		HU	3
SQ or SG	Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General	Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	SQ or SG	4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Law Focus Electives:

Select one course from the following for a total of 3 credits.
Note: LAS109 is available at Phoenix College as part of their Paralegal Studies program. Students accepted into this program may use this course to satisfy this requirement.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
AJS101	Introduction to Criminal Justice		SB	3
AJS109	Substantive Criminal Law			3
AJS201	Rules of Evidence			3
AJS210	Constitutional Law			3
AJS212	Juvenile Justice Procedures			3
AJS230	The Police Function			3
AJS260	Procedural Criminal Law			3
LAS109	Civil Procedures I	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Paralegal Studies program. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS101 and (BPC110 or CIS105 or permission of Program Director).		3
PAR101	Introduction to the Paralegal Profession			3
PAR102	Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment).		3
PAR112	Civil Litigation I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment).		3
POS223	Civil Rights and Liberties		C, SB	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
POS110	American National Government		Critical course Gateway course	SB	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
PAD100 or POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or POS285	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Comparative Government or Political Ideologies or Political Issues and Public Policy		Take 2 courses from the following Policy Focus Courses: POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or PAD100 or POS285. Students may select PAD100 or POS285 but not both.	None or G, SB or G, SB or SB or SB	3
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.	Critical course	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 an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor).	Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT15+	College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
PAD100 or POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or POS285	21st Century Public Policy and Service or International Relations or Comparative Government or Political Ideologies or Political Issues and Public Policy		Take 2 courses from the following Policy Focus Courses: POS120 or POS140 or POS210 or PAD100 or POS285. Students may select PAD100 or POS285 but not both.	None or G, SB or G, SB or SB or SB	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application	BPC110 or CIS105 required for students taking certain LAS and PAR course options.	CS	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or elective	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design	Recommend AJS123	HU	3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
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	COM225 recommended	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Critical course	L	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Law Focus Elective	Law Focus Elective				3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
RE	Restricted Elective				3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SQ	Natural Sciences Quantitative		Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	SQ	4
RE	Restricted Elective				0–3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
SQ or SG	Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General		Recommend FOR105 OR FOR106	SQ or SG	4

Law Focus Electives:

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
AJS101	Introduction to Criminal Justice		SB	3
AJS109	Substantive Criminal Law			3
AJS201	Rules of Evidence			3
AJS210	Constitutional Law			3
AJS212	Juvenile Justice Procedures			3
AJS230	The Police Function			3
AJS260	Procedural Criminal Law			3
LAS109	Civil Procedures I	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Paralegal Studies program. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS101 and (BPC110 or CIS105 or permission of Program Director).		3
PAR101	Introduction to the Paralegal Profession			3
PAR102	Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment).		3
PAR112	Civil Litigation I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (BPC110 or CIS105) and (CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment).		3
POS223	Civil Rights and Liberties		C, SB	3

Restricted Electives

Constitutional Foundations:
AJS210 Constitutional Law
LAS101 Introduction to Law
PAR101 Introduction to the Paralegal Profession
PAR106 Legal Foundations for Paralegals
POS223 Civil Rights and Liberties

Criminal Law:
AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law
AJS201 Rules of Evidence
AJS212 Juvenile Justice Procedures
AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law

Civil Law:

Note: LAS109 is available at Phoenix College as part of their Paralegal Studies program. Students accepted into this program may use this course to satisfy this requirement.
LAS109 Civil Procedures I
LAS110 Civil Procedures II
LAS204 Contract Law
LAS211 Legal Research
LAS212 Tort Law
LAS214 Business Organizations
PAR112 Civil Litigation I
PAR114 Civil Litigation II

Applications of Law:
AJS225 Criminology
AJS230 The Police Function
AJS240 The Correction Function
AJS/EMT/FSC/SWU258 Victimology and Crisis Management
GBS205 Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business
PAR102 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I
PAR103 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing II

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
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=188770).

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 Law and Policy