Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science
The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Computer Science degree provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in computer science. With an associate degree, students may seek employment as a computer user support specialist. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue employment opportunities in several careers, including computer network architects, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, database administrators, information security analysts, network and computer systems administrators, and/or software developers in a number of sectors including arts, sciences, manufacturing, engineering, medicine, energy, and security.
Details
Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Science (AS)
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8601
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:
ASU (Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering), Computer Science (any emphasis), BS
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
- Write programs in a variety of programming languages and computing environments.
- Apply knowledge of computing and mathematics to model situations in a variety of disciplines.
- Analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a software solution to meet required specifications.
- Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of software, and demonstrate an understanding of tradeoffs involved in design choices.
- Demonstrate creativity, adaptability, and flexibility in solving problems.
- Apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.
- Demonstrate ethical reasoning and professional conduct in computing disciplines.
- Collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds to accomplish a common goal.
- Effectively communicate with a variety of audiences orally, visually, and in writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt in a constantly evolving technical environment.
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.
Computer Network Architects
$118,810
Computer Systems Analysts
$98,470
Computer User Support Specialists
$55,190
Database Administrators
$93,990
Information Security Analysts
$108,640
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$87,900
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:
- Software Developers, Applications
- Software Developers, Systems Software
* 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.
| Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) |
|---|
|
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:
Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:
For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage. |
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC205++ | Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures | CS | 3–4 | ||
| CSC/EEE230 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language | 4 | |||
| MAT240 or MAT241 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | MA, QNR or MA, QNR | 4–5 | ||
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | AHM | 3 | ||
| IAM | Institutions of the Americas | IAM | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC240 or CSC240AA |
Introduction to Different Programming Languages or Introduction to Different Programming Languages | 3–4 | |||
| MAT227 | Discrete Mathematical Structures | 3 | |||
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | AHM | 3 | ||
| OCM | Oral Communication | OCM | 3 | ||
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | SCB | 3 | ||
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | SCB | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
| Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) |
|---|
|
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:
Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:
For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage. |
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC110 or CSC110AA or CSC110AB |
Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) | CS or CS or CS | 3–4 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 | ||
| (CHM150 and CHM151LL) or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or CHM151AA or PHY121 or BIO181 or BIO181XT or (GLG101 and GLG103) or GLG101IN |
(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I with Lab or University Physics I: Mechanics or General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I or (Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth Lecture and Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth Lab) or Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth | SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL-- and NSI in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151;-- or NSI in combo w/ CHM151LL;-- and NSI in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151;-- or SQ or NSI, SQ or NSI, SQ or NSI, SQ or SQ or NSI in combo w/ GLG103;-- and NSI in combo w/ GLG101;-- or NSI, SQ | 4–5 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC/EEE120 | Digital Design Fundamentals | CS | 4 | ||
| MAT220 or MAT221 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. | MA, QNR or MA, QNR | 4–5 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT230 or MAT231 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | MA, QNR or MA, QNR | 4–5 | ||
| (CHM152 and CHM152LL) or CHM152AA or PHY131 or BIO182 or BIO182XT or (GLG102 and GLG104) or GLG102IN |
(General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II with Lab or University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II or (Historical Geology: Primordial to Present Lecture and Historical Geology: Primordial to Present Lab) or Historical Geology: Primordial to Present | NSI in combo w/ CHM152LL;-- and NSI in combo w/ CHM152;-- or NSI, SQ or NSI, SQ or NSI, SG or SG or NSI in combo w/ GLG104;-- and NSI in combo w/ GLG102;-- or H, NSI, SG | 4 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC205++ | Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures | CS | 3–4 | ||
| MAT240 or MAT241 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | MA, QNR or MA, QNR | 4–5 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC/EEE230 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language | 4 | |||
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | AHM | 3 | ||
| IAM | Institutions of the Americas | IAM | 3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC240 or CSC240AA |
Introduction to Different Programming Languages or Introduction to Different Programming Languages | 3–4 | |||
| MAT227 | Discrete Mathematical Structures | 3 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHM | Arts and Humanities | AHM | 3 | ||
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | SCB | 3 |
Term 9
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCM | Oral Communication | OCM | 3 | ||
| SCB | Social and Behavioral Sciences | SCB | 3 |
Footnote
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.
Course Area Key
- AHM = Arts and Humanities
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First-Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- IAM = Institutions of the Americas
- MA = Mathematics
- NSI = Natural Sciences
- OCM = Oral Communication
- QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
- SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
- WCM = Written Communication
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 at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/acres.woa/wa/customView?id=16461854.
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.