Program Details

Associate of Science Degree in Integrated Environmental Studies

Associate of Science

Virginia Western Community College

The Science- Integrated Environmental Studies program prepares students to transfer to four year colleges. Students will be prepared to study environmental science, natural resource management, forestry or wildlife science.

Program Credit Requirements

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Transfer Degree

Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	Do you want to provide environmental resources such as renewable energy, clean water, food and shelter for current and future generations? If you answered yes, then check out the Integrated Environmental Studies Specialization under the A.S degree in Science. Students completing this degree may transfer to Virginia Tech, Ferrum and other 4-year colleges to study environmental science, natural resource management, forestry or wildlife science. Careers such as Natural Resource Managers, Water Resource Specialists and Environmental Compliance Officers are possibilities with this pathway.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	This curriculum is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree in environmental science, environmental biology, natural resource management, forestry or wildlife science. Classes will include hands on laboratories and field trips. Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Western Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to credit-level coursework established by the college.
Doing More With Your Degree	Graduates who do not plan to transfer may pursue employment at the technical level as environmental science and protection technicians, working with natural resources, agriculture, water resources, or waste water management. Students who intend to transfer should verify specific program requirements with their four-year institution.
Program Successes & Highlights	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/ie/research/student-goals/

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning	Yes
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Western Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

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External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

519

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the VCCS, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 9,000 students in credit courses and more than 1,400 enrollments in fast-track career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Germanna Community College	Science - Environmental Science Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science Specialization in Computer Science	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Science - Specialization in Engineering	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Science - Biology Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Science - Chemistry Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate in Applied Science Degree in Forestry Management Technology	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Mountain Gateway Community College	AAS Degree in Forest Management Technology, Specialization Arboriculture & Community Forestry	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Science - Water/Wastewater Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Forest Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
19-1031.00	Conservation Scientists	Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1043.00	Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-1031.03	Park Naturalists	Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1031.02	Range Managers	Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4071.00	Forest and Conservation Technicians	Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-1032.00	Foresters	Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-2041.01	Climate Change Policy Analysts	Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
13-1041.00	Compliance Officers	Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1041.06	Coroners	Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1041.08	Customs Brokers	Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1041.01	Environmental Compliance Inspectors	Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
19-2041.02	Environmental Restoration Planners	Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1053.00	Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-2041.00	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
13-1041.03	Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers	Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1041.04	Government Property Inspectors and Investigators	Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
19-2041.03	Industrial Ecologists	Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
13-1041.07	Regulatory Affairs Specialists	Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
19-1023.00	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
45-1011.00	First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.	Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
45-4011.00	Forest and Conservation Workers	Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.	Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
19-4042.00	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations