Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Social Work

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Social Work provides the first two years of a four year curriculum for students intending to transfer into a baccalaureate program to earn a Bachelor of Social Work. With a Bachelor of Social Work, students can receive their Master Social Work in one year (advanced standing) which is the required minimum education for the following career fields: Clinical/Psychotherapy and Policy Administration and Community Practice.

Details

Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Social Work (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8117
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This program is intended to align with the Social Work, BSW program requirements at Arizona State University. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor for additional information.

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU .

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

What You'll Learn
  • Apply a foundational understanding of evidence based social work practice with individuals, families, groups, community and social action groups.
  • Demonstrate self-awareness and explain the implications of one`s own personal, cultural values, beliefs and biases toward groups that are different than one`s self.
  • Practice self-care techniques that promote health, wellness, work-life balance and longevity in the field.
  • Employ social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
  • Interpret and apply understanding of history and policy as it relates to social work to address social justice and economic well-being and the delivery of effective social work services.
  • Engage clients using culturally responsive communication skills differentially across diverse and vulnerable client populations and communities to build trust, relationship and rapport toward mutually agreed upon change.
  • Demonstrate professional writing skills using clear documentation and accurate reports, visual presentations and use of technology skills to enhance effective case management to accomplish competency-based goals.
  • Conduct evidence-based assessments to develop and evaluate social work practice intervention plans with input from one`s own profession as well as multidisciplinary teams.
  • Identify and differentiate between facts, opinion, assumption, hypothesis, and conclusions to explain the impact of institutional racism, sexism and ageism on clients, communities and social work practice.
  • Use the various roles of case management such as knowledge of community resources, broker, advocate, networking and referral to inform social work practice.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics

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.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$43,660
Community Health Workers
$44,250
Healthcare Social Workers
$60,790
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$43,720
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$56,120
Social and Community Service Managers
$69,700
Social and Human Service Assistants
$39,460

* 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 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
SWU171 Introduction to Social Work Critical course Gateway course H, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
PSY101 or
SOC101		 Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB or SB 3
RE Restricted Electives Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three options 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
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 0–3
POS110 or
SWU182		 American National Government or A Social Services Perspective of Government SB or SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
PHI101 or
PHI105 or
SWU183		 Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Ethics or Introductory Ethics: A Social Service Perspective HU or HU or HU 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ECN211 or
SWU181		 Macroeconomic Principles or Economics: A Social Issues Perspective SB or None 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend SWU225 CS 3
SWU291 Social Service Delivery Systems 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU295 Foundations of Social Work Practice C, SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies L and COM or L and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. L 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
RE Restricted Electives Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three options 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
SWU171 Introduction to Social Work Critical course Gateway course H, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL 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
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PSY101 or
SOC101		 Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB or SB 3
RE Restricted Electives Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three options 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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 0–3
PHI101 or
PHI105 or
SWU183		 Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Ethics or Introductory Ethics: A Social Service Perspective HU or HU or HU 3
RE Restricted Electives Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three options 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ECN211 or
SWU181		 Macroeconomic Principles or Economics: A Social Issues Perspective SB or None 3
POS110 or
SWU182		 American National Government or A Social Services Perspective of Government SB or SB 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU291 Social Service Delivery Systems 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend SWU225 CS 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU295 Foundations of Social Work Practice C, SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies L and COM or L and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. L 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 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 about your transfer-specific world language requirement.

Restricted Electives:

Complete two (2) classes from at least two (2) of the three (3) options below:

Option One (1)
HRM110 Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management
HRM145 Events Management
HRM150 Hospitality and Tourism Information Systems I
HRM160 Tourism Principles and Practices
HRM170 Hospitality in Healthcare and Life Care Management
HRM260 Hospitality Human Resource Management
HRM265 Financial Management for Hospitality and Tourism
REC120 Leisure and the Quality of Life
REC210 Leisure Delivery Systems
REC230 Programming of Recreation Services
REC250 Recreation Leadership
RPM150AB Outdoor Adventure Skills
RPM240 Wilderness First Responder
SUS100 Introduction to Sustainability

Option Two (2)
AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law
AJS113 Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices
AJS123 Ethics and the Administration of Justice
AJS124 Correctional Institutions
AJS131 Police Management Techniques I
AJS162 Domestic Violence
AJS170 Fire and Arson Investigation for Law Enforcement
AJS192 Serial Killers and Mass Murderers
AJS195 International and Domestic Terrorism
AJS200 Current Issues in Criminal Justice
AJS201 Rules of Evidence
AJS205 Effective Communication and Report Writing in Criminal Justice
AJS211 Police Planning
AJS212 Juvenile Justice Procedures
AJS219 Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence
AJS220 Transnational Organized Crime
AJS240 The Correction Function
AJS/EMT/FSC258 Victimology and Crisis Management in Public Safety
AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law
AJS270 Community Relations
AJS275 Criminal Investigation I
SWU258 Victimology and Crisis, a Social Services Perspective

Option Three (3)
CIS143 Introduction to Critical Infrastructure Protection
PAD100 21st Century Public Policy and Service
PAD200 Public Affairs Economics

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
  • 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=16455941).

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 Social Work