MCCCD Program Description

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Law and Policy

Major: 8141
Effective Term: 2025 Fall
Award Type: AA

CIP Code: 22.0000

Program Availability: CG EM GC MC PC PV RS SC SM
Instructional Council: Administration of Justice Studies, Political Science
Total Credits: 60-64
GPA: 2.00

SOC Code: Upon completion of a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as:
11-1031.00 Legislators
23-1022.00 Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
11-9199.02 Compliance Managers
13-1041.07 Regulatory Affairs Specialists
23-2093.00 Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
13-1071.00 Human Resources Specialists
13-1075.00 Labor Relations Specialists
13-2053.00 Insurance Underwriters
27-3031.00 Public Relations Specialists
11-9151.00 Social and Community Service Managers
13-1031.02 Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
13-1031.01 Claims Examiners, Property and Casualty Insurance
21-1092.00 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as:
23-1011.00 Lawyers
23-1012.00 Judicial Law Clerks
23-1023.00 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
23-1021.00 Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
25-1112.00 Law Teachers, Postsecondary
11-9033.00 Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Description: 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.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Use critical analysis and creative thinking to develop solutions. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS204, LAS212, LAS214, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [MA], [CS], [HU], [SQ], [SG], (COM), (CRE)) 2. Formulate and defend arguments. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [MA], [HU], (COM), (CRE)) 3. Critically analyze complex textual material. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, LAS109, PAD100, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, LAS110, LAS211, LAS212, PAR101, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [HU], (CRE)) 4. Communicate complex ideas clearly with a purpose appropriate to the context or audience in written and oral forms. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS110, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [MA], [CS], [HU], [SQ], [SG], (COM), (CRE)) 5. Demonstrate empathetic and active listening skills. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR102, PAR112, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, PAR103, PAR114, SWU258, (COM)) 6. Demonstrate information literacy by identifying a research need and accessing and critically evaluating information for the appropriate context. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS211, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [CS], [HU], [SQ], [SG], (COM), (CRE)) 7. Synthesize multiple sources of information to achieve an objective within a given context. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, LAS109, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS110, LAS211, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [MA], [CS], [HU], [SQ], [SG], (COM), (CRE)) 8. Apply professional guidelines for the ethical promotion of justice in the legal system. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258) 9. Explain the role of law in a free society. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS101, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258) 10. Demonstrate techniques and skills for developing and maintaining a collaborative environment with diverse internal and external agents. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, PAD100, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, SWU258, (COM)) 11. Compare and contrast the US legal system with other legal systems. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS101, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258) 12. Apply legal concepts, doctrines, and theories appropriate to a given context. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, LAS109, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS110, LAS204, LAS211, LAS212, LAS214, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258) 13. Utilize appropriate technology to accomplish objectives relevant to the context. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS201, AJS210, AJS212, AJS230, AJS260, GBS205, PAD100, PAR101, PAR102, PAR112, POS110, POS120, POS210, POS223, AJS225, AJS240, AJS/EMT/FSC258, LAS110, PAR103, PAR106, PAR114, SWU258, [FYC], [L], [MA], [CS], [HU], [SQ], [SG], (COM), (CRE)) 14. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)

Program 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: U of A, Law, BA Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: U of A.

Program Prerequisites
None

Program Prerequisites
	Credits:

Required Courses
FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3 Policy Focus Credits: 6 Select two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits from the following: PAD100 21st Century Public Policy and Service 3 POS120 International Relations 3 POS210 Political Ideologies 3 Law Focus Credits: 3 Select one (1) course for a total of three (3) credits from the following: AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 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 3 PAR101 Introduction to the Paralegal Profession 3 + PAR102 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I 3 + PAR112 Civil Litigation I 3 POS223 Civil Rights and Liberties 3 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.			Credits: 10-12

Restricted Electives
Students should complete 3-6 credits from one or more of the categories below that best align with their academic and professional goals. Constitutional Foundations: AJS210 Constitutional Law 3 LAS101 Introduction to Law 3 PAR101 Introduction to the Paralegal Profession 3 + PAR106 Legal Foundations for Paralegals 3 POS223 Civil Rights and Liberties 3 Criminal Law: AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law 3 AJS201 Rules of Evidence 3 AJS212 Juvenile Justice Procedures 3 AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law 3 Civil Law: + LAS109 Civil Procedures I 3 + LAS110 Civil Procedures II 3 + LAS204 Contract Law 3 + LAS211 Legal Research 3 + LAS212 Tort Law 3 + LAS214 Business Organizations 3 + PAR112 Civil Litigation I 3 + PAR114 Civil Litigation II 3 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. Applications of Law: AJS225 Criminology 3 AJS230 The Police Function 3 AJS240 The Correction Function 3 AJS/EMT/FSC258 Victimology and Crisis Management in Public Safety 3 SWU258 Victimology and Crisis, a Social Services Perspective 3 GBS205 Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business 3 + PAR102 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing I 3 + PAR103 Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing II 3	Credits: 3-6

Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
AGEC-A			Credits: 35-44
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: 3
Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area 3

Mathematics [MA]			Credits: 3-6
+ MAT150 College Algebra/Functions (5) OR + MAT151 College Algebra/Functions (4) OR + MAT152 College Algebra/Functions (3) OR + MAT155 College Algebra/Functions with Review (5) OR + MAT156 College Algebra/Functions with Review (6) OR Higher course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area 3-6

Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]			Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area 6 Recommend AJS123.

Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]			Credits: 6
POS110 American National Government (3) AND Any approved general education course in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] area. (3) 6 May be met by POS120 OR POS210 in the Required Courses area.

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 Recommend FOR105 and FOR106.

Awareness Areas			Credits: 0-6
These requirements may be shared with other AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.

MCCCD Additional Requirements

Oral Communication (COM)			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) 3 Recommend COM225.

General Electives
	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. 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.

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 24, 2025

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS]			Credits: 3
Any approved general education course in the Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] area 3 BPC110 or CIS105 required for students taking certain LAS and PAR course options.

Cultural Diversity in the US [C]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course with the Cultural Diversity in the U.S. [C] designation 0-3 May be met by SWU258 or POS223 in Required Courses or Restricted Electives.

Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course with the Historical [H] or Global [G] awareness area designation 0-3 May be met by POS120 in Required Courses.

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.

Critical Reading (CRE)			Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) 0-3

Subject Options			Credits: