Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Nutritional Science

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Nutritional Science provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in Nutrition. Students desiring a career in nutrition as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) should pursue the Dietetics transfer plan. Following the completion of an accredited Bachelor of Science program at a university and an accredited internship, students may pursue a career in nutrition related healthcare, wellness and prevention, sports nutrition, food and nutrition management, etc. Application for the accredited internship is a highly competitive process.

The Nutritional Sciences transfer plan provides foundational nutrition principles that can be applied to other careers in healthcare. Students may choose to major in Nutritional Sciences, earn a bachelor degree, and then seek graduate educational programs in Physician Assistant, Medical Doctor or Physical Therapist.

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Associate in Arts (AA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Nutritional Science (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8115

Total credits required

60-64

Catalog Year

2026-2027

Effective Term

Fall 2025

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: (list alphabetically)

ASU, College of Health Solutions, Dietetics, BS
ASU, College of Health Solutions, Nutritional Science, 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

Communicate effectively orally and in writing, utilizing the vocabulary of nutritional sciences.
Connect knowledge from the physical, biological, agricultural, and environmental sciences to the science of food and nutrition in health and disease processes.
Apply food safety and food science principles in general practice.
Evaluate socially and culturally appropriate strategies in order to respect nutritional and agricultural diverse cultures and values.
Describe and demonstrate the governance and ethics principles of food, nutrition, dietetics and health professionals.
Locate and evaluate nutrition literature using various technologies.
Evaluate food systems and nutrition information based on scientific evidence.

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.

Dentists, General

$175,030

Dietitians and Nutritionists

$62,720

Family Medicine Physicians

$224,220

Naturopathic Physicians

$88,180

Pharmacists

$120,880

Physician Assistants

$121,490

Preventive Medicine Physicians

$256,610

* 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
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: Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits) Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits) Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits) Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include: Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits) Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits) Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits) Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits) For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO156++ or BIO181++	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one-semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	OR One year of high school biology	SQ or SQ	0–4
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: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).		FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM	3
FON241	Principles of Human Nutrition			NSI in combo w/ FON241LL;	3
MAT15+	College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved general education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206.	QNR	3–6
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences		PSY101 is recommended.	SCB	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	Area	Credits
BIO201++	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO156++, or BIO181++, or one year of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	NSI, SG	4
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.	FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM	3
EXS290 or FON225	Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice or Research in Complementary and Alternative Nutrition Therapies	Prerequisites: C or better in [(RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113 or District reading placement) and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092, or District math placement) and (ENG101 or ENG107)] or permission of Instructor. EXS101 recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT092 or higher, or satisfactory score on district placement exam.	L or L	3
FON142AB	Science of Food			3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO202++	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.		NSI, SG	4
MAT206 or PSY230 or (PSY230 and PSY231) or PSY230WL	Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics or (Introduction to Statistics and Laboratory for Statistics) or Introduction to Statistics with Lab	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT14+, or MAT15+, or MAT187, or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in PSY101 and MAT092 or higher MAT course) or (a grade of C or better in PSY101 and eligibility for MAT112 or higher as indicated by appropriate mathematics placement test score) or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in PSY101 and MAT092 or higher MAT course) or (a grade of C or better in PSY101 and eligibility for MAT112 or higher as indicated by appropriate mathematics placement test score) or permission of Instructor. and Corequisites: PSY230. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PSY101 and eligibility for MAT14+ or higher as indicated by appropriate district mathematics placement) or permission of Instructor.		CS, QNR or CS or CS or CS	3–4
(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or (CHM150 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM151AA	(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or Fundamental Chemistry with Lab or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I with Lab	Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM100 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or higher or satisfactory math placement) and (RDG100 or RDG100LL, or higher or eligibility for CRE101 as indicated by appropriate reading placement)] or permission of the Instructor. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHM130. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM090 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or higher or satisfactory math placement) and (RDG100 or RDG100LL, or higher or eligibility for CRE101 as indicated by appropriate reading placement)] or permission of the Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and (MAT151 or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and (MAT151 or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair.		NSI in combo w/ CHM130LL; and NSI in combo w/ CHM130; or NSI, SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and NSI in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151; or SQ or NSI in combo w/ CHM151LL; and NSI in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151; or NSI, SQ	4–5
AHM	Arts and Humanities		FON143 is recommended.	AHM	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
BIO205 or (CHM230 and CHM230LL) or CHM230AA	Microbiology or (Fundamental Organic Chemistry and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory) or Fundamental Organic Chemistry with Lab	Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CHM130 and CHM130LL) or [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or permission of Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM130LL or CHM151LL, or equivalent. Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM230. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA], or [((CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL), or CHM151AA)], or permission of Instructor, or Department, or Division Chair.	NSI, SG or NSI in combo w/ CHM230LL; and NSI in combo w/ CHM230; or None	4
AHM	Arts and Humanities		AHM	3
OCM	Oral Communication		OCM	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences		SCB	3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
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: Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits) Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits) Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits) Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include: Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits) Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits) Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits) Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits) For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
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: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM	3
FON241	Principles of Human Nutrition		NSI in combo w/ FON241LL;	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
BIO156++ or BIO181++	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one-semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	OR One year of high school biology	SQ or SQ	0–4
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.		FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM	3
MAT15+	College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved general education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206.	QNR	3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
FON142AB	Science of Food				3
(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or (CHM150 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM151AA	(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or Fundamental Chemistry with Lab or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I with Lab	Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM100 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or higher or satisfactory math placement) and (RDG100 or RDG100LL, or higher or eligibility for CRE101 as indicated by appropriate reading placement)] or permission of the Instructor. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHM130. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM090 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or higher or satisfactory math placement) and (RDG100 or RDG100LL, or higher or eligibility for CRE101 as indicated by appropriate reading placement)] or permission of the Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and (MAT151 or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and (MAT151 or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair.		NSI in combo w/ CHM130LL; and NSI in combo w/ CHM130; or NSI, SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and NSI in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151; or SQ or NSI in combo w/ CHM151LL; and NSI in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151; or NSI, SQ	4–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO201++	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO156++, or BIO181++, or one year of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		NSI, SG	4
EXS290 or FON225	Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice or Research in Complementary and Alternative Nutrition Therapies	Prerequisites: C or better in [(RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113 or District reading placement) and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092, or District math placement) and (ENG101 or ENG107)] or permission of Instructor. EXS101 recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT092 or higher, or satisfactory score on district placement exam.		L or L	3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO202++	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.		NSI, SG	4
MAT206 or PSY230 or (PSY230 and PSY231) or PSY230WL	Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics or (Introduction to Statistics and Laboratory for Statistics) or Introduction to Statistics with Lab	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT14+, or MAT15+, or MAT187, or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in PSY101 and MAT092 or higher MAT course) or (a grade of C or better in PSY101 and eligibility for MAT112 or higher as indicated by appropriate mathematics placement test score) or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in PSY101 and MAT092 or higher MAT course) or (a grade of C or better in PSY101 and eligibility for MAT112 or higher as indicated by appropriate mathematics placement test score) or permission of Instructor. and Corequisites: PSY230. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PSY101 and eligibility for MAT14+ or higher as indicated by appropriate district mathematics placement) or permission of Instructor.		CS, QNR or CS or CS or CS	3–4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AHM	Arts and Humanities			AHM	3
BIO205++ or (CHM230 and CHM230LL) or CHM230AA	Microbiology or (Fundamental Organic Chemistry and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory) or Fundamental Organic Chemistry with Lab	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO156++, or BIO181++, or one year of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CHM130 and CHM130LL) or [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or permission of Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM130LL or CHM151LL, or equivalent. Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM230. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA], or [((CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL), or CHM151AA)], or permission of Instructor, or Department, or Division Chair.		NSI, SG or NSI in combo w/ CHM230LL; and NSI in combo w/ CHM230; or None	4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AHM	Arts and Humanities		FON143 is recommended.	AHM	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences		PSY101 is recommended.	SCB	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
OCM	Oral Communication			OCM	3
SCB	Social and Behavioral Sciences			SCB	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.

FON100 and FON125 recommended

Course Area Key

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First-Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
NSI = Natural Sciences
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 at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16456300.

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 Nutritional Science