Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Women and Gender Studies

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Women and Gender Studies is an intensive interdisciplinary liberal arts program, which provides students with tools and opportunities to discuss and critique historical and contemporary theories and practices of feminism(s) and gender identities. The curriculum enables students to think critically, analyze problems, and communicate effectively. Using women's experiences and perspectives, students explore cultural and global issues by completing a variety of courses focusing on gender, history, culture, class, race, ethnicity, and sexuality to foster equality and understanding. Students completing this associate of arts degree will be prepared to transfer to a four-year program.

Details

Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Women and Gender Studies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8128
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 emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, BA

ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences), Social and Cultural Analysis (Women and Gender Studies), BA

ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences), Women and Gender Studies, BS

NAU, Women's and Gender Studies, BS

U of A, Gender and Women's Studies, BA

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.

What You'll Learn
  • Analyze historic, contemporary, and recurring issues in society through the perspectives of feminist and gender theories.
  • Apply an interdisciplinary perspective to critically evaluate the interrelationship between gender and race, class, and sexual orientation.
  • Evaluate how gender identity was and is portrayed in various social and cultural perspectives through the lens of feminist and gender theories.
  • Demonstrate how feminist and gender theories and methodologies have local, national, and global applications and consequences.
  • Evaluate and implement strategies to address societal and power inequities to improve women`s status and promote social justice and human rights for all genders.
  • Critically assess the impact of popular culture in shaping individual and collective gender identities.
  • Communicate using research in varied settings, both orally and in writing, in a culturally responsive manner.
  • 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.

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,800
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$43,660
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
$67,680
Healthcare Social Workers
$60,790
Human Resources Specialists
$64,110
Lawyers
$126,600
Public Relations Specialists
$70,390
Social and Community Service Managers
$69,700
Social Science Research Assistants
$54,200

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:

  • Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

* 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
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
WST100 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies Critical course Gateway course C, SB 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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 ASB211, ENH/WST284, ENH/WST285, HUM/WST209, or REL/WST290, recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies. HU 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences ASB211, HIS201, PSY235, SOC212, or WST161 recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies. SB 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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 Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously if CRE101 is not required SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design ASB211, ENH/WST284, ENH/WST285, HUM/WST209, or REL/WST290, recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies. HU 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry L 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
Elective General Elective 3
Elective General Elective 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
WST100 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies Critical course Gateway course C, 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
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design ASB211, ENH/WST284, ENH/WST285, HUM/WST209, or REL/WST290, recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies. HU 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
Elective General Elective 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 Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously if CRE101 is not required SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry L 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences ASB211, HIS201, PSY235, SOC212, or WST161 recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies. SB 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design ASB211, ENH/WST284, ENH/WST285, HUM/WST209, or REL/WST290, recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies. HU 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective General Elective 3
Elective General Elective 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective General Elective 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

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.

The following courses are recommended for students intending to earn an Academic Certificate (AC) in Women and Gender Studies:
ASB211 Women Across Cultures 3
ENH/WST284 19th Century Women Writers 3
ENH/WST285 Contemporary Women Writers 3
HIS201 History of Women in America 3
HUM/WST209 Women and Films 3
+ PSY235 Psychology of Gender 3
REL/WST290 Women and World Religions 3
SOC212 Gender and Society 3
WST120 Gender, Class, and Race 3
WST160 Women and the Early American Experience 3
WST161 American Women Since 1920 3
WST200 Essential Feminist Writing 3
WST286 Women and Health: Body/Mind/Spirit/Connection 3

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.

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
  • 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=16456314).

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 Women and Gender Studies