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Facts and Stats
- 5% of environmental scientists earned* an associate’s degree. The majority are bachelor’s degree holders (81%) followed by master’s degree holders (12%). About 1% finished their doctorate.
- Four in 10 Americans (41%) say they are environmentalists**. In 1991, nearly 8 in 10 people (78%) identified as such.
- There are about 71,661 environmental scientists*** in the United States. Of these, 38.3% are women and 61.7% are men.
Some of the best online associates in environmental science programs in the country seek to analyze the issues relating to the environment, from climate change and overpopulation to biodiversity.
It is a good choice for students who are passionate about becoming stewards of the planet to gain a strong foundation in natural and physical sciences along with hands-on experiences to prepare them for a rewarding journey in the field of environmental science.
Students in online Environmental Science degrees, which are closely related to Natural Resource Management, will learn a variety of things, including finding practical solutions to environmental problems, understanding the interaction between the human and natural world, and designing and executing scientific projects, among many others.
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The Lowdown
The field of environmental science is growing more and more relevant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job of environmental scientists is expected to grow by 7%. Many Environmental Science programs are available online, lending flexibility and convenience to working students and professionals.
Methodology
The online Environmental Science associate programs featured on our list of the best programs were picked with these factors in mind:
- Delivered by a college or university that is regionally accredited by academic agencies,
- Taught in online or hybrid formats, featuring Environmental Science courses that prepare students for an important career in this field,
- Offers teaching personnel with the right academic credentials and relevant experience in Environmental Science,
- Features the Transfer Pathway program for ease of transition to a bachelor’s degree after completing the associate program,
- Offers qualified online learners financial assistance programs in the form of private scholarships and federal aid,
- Provides transfer credit programs and comprehensive student support.
Visit our Methodology page to learn about the details of our ranking process.
Best Online Associate in Environmental Science Degree Programs
Columbia College
AS in Environmental Studies
The Associate of Science in Environmental Studies offered by Columbia College helps students gain a better understanding of the impact of humans’ social, political, and economic activities on natural systems.
This online program gives students several concentration options, including agriculture, environmental conservation, sustainability, and more.
- Students in this program will delve deep into environmental history and literature to get a good grasp of the cultural and scientific significance of environmental science.
- A total of 60 credits are required to be completed in order for students to earn the associate’s degree program.
- Some of the courses in the program curriculum include geography, ecology, biology, environmental history, environmental science, and so much more.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The associate’s degree program is designed to give students the opportunity to work in several career paths, including field technicians, environmental education assistants, sustainability coordinators, and nonprofit support staff.
Did You Know?
Columbia College accepts transfer credits for most courses with a “C” grade or higher as long as students come from a regionally accredited institution.
Great Bay Community College
Associate of Science in Environmental Science
Great Bay Community College, a public community college out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, offers an Associate of Science in Environmental Science, which is ideal for eventual transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or other related fields.
- The program contains a total of around 61-63 credit hours.
- The program design focuses on the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological elements of the environment.
- Great Bay Community College offers flexible course options for students, including online and hybrid delivery formats.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Great Bay Community College has articulation agreements with various colleges and universities across New England.
Did You Know?
Around 70% of full-time students at Great Bay receive financial aid.
Seminole State College
AA in Environmental Studies
Seminole State College offers an Associate of Arts in Environmental Studies, which is designed primarily for transfer to upper-division public colleges or universities within the state of Florida in pursuit of careers in environmental planning, resource management, environmental law, and policy.
- The program contains a total of 60 credit hours.
- Courses are offered both in-person and online to maximize flexibility.
- Students who earn their AA can opt to stay within Seminole State to continue their progress toward a bachelor’s degree.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students who earn their Associate degree at Seminole State can also take advantage of guaranteed admission to the University of Central Florida or another of Florida’s state universities to pursue their bachelor’s degree.
Did You Know?
Seminole State prides itself on having highly affordable degrees that are only half the cost of other state universities.
Community College of Vermont
Associate of Science in Environmental Science
The Community College of Vermont, based in Montpelier, offers an Associate of Science in Environmental Science, which prepares students for careers in areas of the environment upon graduation or for transferring to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree.
- The program contains 63 credit hours in total and can be completed fully online.
- The degree program is interdisciplinary, letting students gain an understanding of environmental problems and equipping them to be able to develop solutions.
- The program requires a Professional Field Experience course at the end of the degree program that lets students connect with local environmental agencies and other potential employers.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This degree program is designed with seamless transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in mind, and CCV has agreements and 2+2 pathways within the Vermont State College Systems and others within Vermont and throughout the region.
Did You Know?
Students at CCV may also choose to pursue a certificate in STEM Studies while obtaining their degree.
Northwest Arkansas Community College
AAS in Safety Health and Hazardous Materials
Northwest Arkansas Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Safety Health and Hazardous Materials, part of their AAS in Environmental and Regulatory Science program. While it may differ from the traditional environmental science degree program, it does have significant overlap in areas of concern, being focused on the safety, compliance, and regulatory side of the environment.
- The program contains a total of around 60-61 credit hours.
- There are three academic pathways to the AAS program, with the AAS in Safety Health and Hazardous Materials path being offered as an online program.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The degree program is designed for easy transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a health-related field.
Did You Know?
Aside from the online AAS, Northwest Arkansas Community College also offers related Certificates of Proficiency and Technical Certificate programs.
Cape Cod Community College
Associate of Arts, Environmental Studies Concentration
Cape Cod Community College offers a hybrid Associate of Arts degree program with a Concentration in Environmental Studies. The program is ideal for students who are eventually aiming for a four-year undergraduate program in Environmental Studies.
- The program is delivered in a 50% online format, as it may require lab work,
- The program curriculum contains natural science and mathematics coursework, aside from a variety of environmental electives that students choose from.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program provides solid foundations for further studies in environmental studies, environmental engineering, environmental education, environmental management, and natural resources management.
Did You Know?
Cape Cod Community College also offers a related Associate of Science in Environmental Technology degree program.
Lee College
AS in Environmental Science
Lee College, a public community college in Baytown, Texas, offers a hybrid Associate of Science in Environmental Science. This degree program is designed as a good preparatory for eventual transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or a related field.
- Coursework can be partially completed online, with Lee College offering a variety of Distance Education modalities.
- Along with the necessary theoretical foundations, the program prepares students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are crucial to the environmental science professions.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program curriculum has a number of specialization areas that students can choose from, including biology, chemistry, geology, and physical geology.
Did You Know?
Aside from eventual 4-year transfer, Lee College’s AS in Environmental Science also provides good foundational preparation to let students take up entry-level technical or assistant positions upon graduation, particularly in educational or laboratory environments.
Ocean County College
AS Environmental Studies
A public community college in Ocean County, New Jersey, Ocean County College offers an Associate of Science in Environmental Studies, which provides good preparation for a variety of technical, educational, and research careers in the environmental sciences, including within the ecotourism industry.
- The program contains a total of 60 credit hours, which can be earned entirely online.
- For their last semester in the program, students undertake a Field Experience/Practicum that is worth three credit hours.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program provides students with a strong background in the natural sciences, preparing them to work in a variety of careers in both government agencies, educational and research institutions, or private industries.
Did You Know?
Ocean County College also offers a Certificate of Completion (CC) in Environmental Sustainability.
Florida Gateway College
AS in Environmental Science Technology
A public college in Lake City, Florida Gateway College offers an Associate of Science in Environmental Science Technology, a uniquely focused program that prepares students with knowledge in the subject areas of water resources, including hydrology, pollution control, wastewater treatment, and more.
- The program is offered 100% online.
- Students in the program who have current water and wastewater treatment operator licenses can instead choose to articulate their experiential learning to earn college credits.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This degree program has a specialized focus on water resource management and its many associated processes and topic areas/disciplines.
Did You Know?
Florida Gateway College also offers an Environmental Science Technician College Credit Certificate (CCC), which is designed for experienced industry workers and those who wish to enter the water resource management industry.
College of the Rockies
AS in Environmental Science
The College of the Rockies offers an Associate of Science in Environmental Science. This online program provides prospective students with a great foundation for further education while opening a wealth of education and career opportunities.
- Students will get to explore a range of courses that allow them to discover their specific areas of interest.
- The program features cross-disciplinary studies in areas relating to the local and global environment.
- Some of the courses students learn in the program include Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Biology, Introduction to Microbiology, and Genetics, among others.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The Associate of Science in Environmental Science online degree program can be considered as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, which means students can save money and tuition by completing the first half of their degree mostly online.
Did You Know?
The College of the Rockies often keeps the class sizes small so each student can receive personalized attention and guidance from instructors. This is a huge help to students who want to successfully earn the degree program.
Community College of Denver
AS in Environmental Science
The Associate of Science in Environmental Science degree program at the Community College of Denver is available online. It is designed to help students meet entry-level requirements for conservation, agricultural science, teaching, and research careers.
- The courses students can expect in the curriculum include Natural Disasters, Environmental Science with Lab, Special Topics, and more.
- Students who successfully finish this associate’s degree will be able to transfer to a four-year college and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Students in this program can expect spacious labs and modern equipment to help them successfully complete the degree. They can also experience hands-on classroom learning where class sizes are kept small to give students an equal chance for guidance and mentoring.
Did You Know?
The associate’s in environmental science program is eligible for federal financial aid. Students can simply connect with the Financial Aid Office to find out how they can easily afford to go to college.
Delta College
AS in Environmental Technology
Delta College gives interested students a chance to enter the field of environmental science with the offer of an Associate of Science in Environmental Science online program.
- In this program, students learn lab sampling techniques and write technical and field reports along with compliance knowledge when it comes to federal, state, and local environmental health and safety regulations.
- Students can also expect to understand the interrelation of environmental issues.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program’s classes are designed to provide students with high-quality instructors and courses. Students can expect interactive lectures, activities, and hands-on lab sessions on top of available online courses.
Did You Know?
Delta College is a good place to start one’s pursuit of higher education while saving thousands of dollars to earn the degree program. Students who want to transfer credits to any public institution in Michigan state will be able to transfer 30 credits under the Michigan Transfer Agreement.
Broward College
AS in Environmental Science Technology
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Broward College offers an Associate of Science in Environmental Science Technology program to help students gain knowledge and skills integral to saving distressed natural resources.
- Students will take part in project-based learning with hands-on research activities complementing the type of research they choose.
- The course materials in the program involve areas of study such as native plants, conservation of natural resources, and proper wetlands management.
- The program offers day, evening, and online classes for convenience.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Students can expect to learn with the help of state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. This can train them for lab and field work better as they have the best tools at their disposal.
Did You Know?
Students who successfully earn this degree will be able to work in a wide range of environmental science positions. They are expected to learn how to collect air, water, and soil samples along with the proper monitoring of compliance with environmental regulations.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
AAS in Environmental, Health and Safety
Students who want to prepare for careers such as safety and environmental technicians may want to consider earning an AAS in Environmental, Health, and Safety degree program. In this program, they are expected to apply the principles of disciplines such as math, science, economics, and engineering.
- To earn the associate degree program, students must complete a total of 64 credit hours, 32 hours of which are allocated to the legal aspects of occupational safety and health.
- Some courses included in the curriculum are Introduction to General Chemistry, Industrial Processes, Waste and Remediation, and Characteristics of Hazardous Materials, among others.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The degree program helps students prepare for their future careers, such as assisting an organization in managing hazardous materials and wastes, protecting workers and the environment, and minimizing the organization’s Worker’s Compensation.
Did You Know?
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges offers this online associate’s degree at an affordable cost. In fact, the $157 per credit hour cost is one of the lowest in the country.
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Associate of Professional Studies (APS) in Environmental Management
The Southern Arkansas University Tech offers an Associate of Professional Studies degree with an emphasis on Environmental Management. It is designed for students who want to enter management-level positions in wastewater and solid waste disposal facilities.
- Students in this program are expected to demonstrate the technical, regulatory, operational, and administrative aspects of their knowledge of environmental science.
- They must be able to develop solutions to the common problems encountered in the environmental field.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program’s emphasis is offered entirely online, which gives students the flexibility and convenience they need to earn the degree and save money on transportation and lodging costs.
Did You Know?
The program aims to prepare students for starting positions within the fields of water treatment, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements to online Environmental Science programs?
Admission requirements usually vary from school to school. In many cases, however, universities and colleges require students the following to get admitted into the environmental science program:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Accomplished application form
- Personal statement
- Official transcript of record
What are the common career paths for graduates of online Environmental Science programs?
There is a wealth of opportunities for associate in environmental science graduates. This includes meaningful environmental science careers, such as environmental scientists, agricultural scientists, environmental consultants, air pollution analysts, natural resource managers, and more.
Some graduates of this online environmental science degree choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree instead to enhance their credentials.
What are some of the standard courses in Associate Degree in Environmental Science programs?
Associate’s degrees in Environmental Sciences are necessarily interdisciplinary in nature, as environmental issues have a variety of inextricable and interconnected nuances and topic areas.
Being associate’s degrees, they tend to have a preparatory structure, and their curriculums invariably contain a significant general education component, such as writing and communication, aside from mathematics coursework.
With regard to core content, the names of subjects may vary, but they revolve around a number of common thematic areas.
First in the curriculum would be a set of preparatory/fundamental subjects that lay the theoretical groundwork for the discipline, such as key concepts in ecology and biology.
Also, part of the preparatory set of courses would be discussions on current trends in the industry and/or current environmental issues that are being faced, as these form the landscape that students eventually enter as environmental science professionals.
These degree programs may also contain discussions on environmental laws and policy, covering local, state, and federal levels that students will conceivably be working on in their future careers.
Also these programs may also contain courses in research methods and relevant tools, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which form the backbone of many environmental undertakings of research and regulatory functions.
Lastly, colleges and institutions that offer these degree programs may also include a number of special environmental courses that are relevant to the immediate areas they serve, such as biome-specific ecology courses (e.g., freshwater, marine, urban environment, etc.).
Summary Points
Associate degrees in Environmental Science programs are interdisciplinary in structure, with coursework that covers various aspects of the environment, including the physical sciences, relevant tools and research methods, and policy.
While many of these Associate Degree programs are designed for eventual transfer to four-year bachelor’s degree programs, they nevertheless provide adequate preparation for immediate entry into a number of entry-level positions related to the environment.
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