A two-year science degree is one of the most flexible ways to begin a career in STEM or build a foundation for further study. With core coursework in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, you gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills that apply to many fields.
At Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the Associate of Science (A.S.) in science is designed to prepare you for both transfer and entry-level jobs. Whether you want to move directly into the workforce or plan to continue your education, NOVA gives you the tools and support you need. As you explore what you can do with an associate’s degree, consider how NOVA’s program supports both immediate career options and long-term academic goals.
Launch a Career With Your Science Degree
Starting with an associate degree in science can create paths to a variety of meaningful jobs in healthcare, lab research, environmental science and more. It’s a direct route into the workforce while also giving you valuable, transferable skills for your future.
At NOVA, you’ll get hands-on lab experience and build skills in data analysis and lab procedures, preparing you for entry-level roles or success in upper-level science courses after transfer. Here are just a few examples of jobs you may qualify for with a science degree:
- Clinical laboratory technician: Analyze samples and support diagnostic testing in hospitals or clinics using your skills in biology and chemistry.
- Environmental technician: Monitor air, water and soil quality to help protect ecosystems and support public health initiatives.
- Pharmacy technician: Assist in preparing and dispensing medications, drawing on your understanding of chemical principles.
- Research/biological technician: Support scientific studies by conducting experiments, gathering data and managing lab equipment.
- Medical assistant: Blend clinical and administrative tasks in healthcare settings, using your knowledge of human biology to aid patient care.
These career paths offer strong entry-level opportunities. According to Lightcast, there are currently 918 entry-level roles in science-related fields within NOVA's service area. The median salary for these positions ranges from $53,000 to $63,000, making these roles a great starting point for students looking to begin their careers.
If you’re planning to continue your education instead, NOVA can support your transfer.
Transfer Your Science Degree to a Four-Year School
If you're interested in advancing beyond entry-level roles and pursuing more specialized positions, continuing your education is the next step after your associate degree in science. With an associate degree from NOVA, you’ll be well-prepared to make that transition.
NOVA’s program includes general education courses and electives that align with the first two years of a science degree at a four-year university. This makes transfer a smart path, since you’ll finish your education with the same bachelor's degree while paying far less for your first two years. NOVA facilitates transfer agreements that help you stay on track and avoid credit loss, giving you peace of mind.
NOVA offers:
- Guaranteed admission agreements (GAA): Guarantee your acceptance to select universities when you meet requirements such as a minimum GPA.
- Articulation agreements (AA): These help your credits transfer smoothly to our partner universities so you don’t have to repeat classes.
- ADVANCE program with George Mason University: This partnership allows you to access GMU resources while completing your associate degree at NOVA.
Understanding the roles that become available with a four-year degree can help you plan your next steps. Once you transfer and continue your studies, you may qualify for a broader range of specialized, higher-paying positions.
Jobs You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree
When you first started asking, “What can I do with an associate degree in science,” you were likely thinking about your immediate options. But if you decide to continue your education, that same science degree from NOVA can lead to even more career options.
With a bachelor's degree, you can specialize further in your field and qualify for roles with greater responsibility, higher salaries and long-term growth potential. By building on your associate degree from NOVA, you can transfer into a four-year program and pursue a major in areas like biology, chemistry, agriculture, pharmacy, pre-medicine or science education.
With your bachelor’s degree, you can pursue roles like:
- Food scientist and technologist: Develop and improve food products by applying research in food safety, quality control, nutrition and processing innovations.
- Soil and plant scientist: Study soil composition and plant biology to enhance crop production and advance sustainable agricultural practices.
- Conservation scientist: Work to manage, protect and restore natural resources and ecosystems, advising on land use and environmental policy.
- Atmospheric and space scientist: Investigate weather patterns, climate change and outer space phenomena using advanced modeling and observational techniques.
- Chemist: Analyze chemical compositions and reactions to create innovation in pharmaceuticals, energy, materials and industrial processes.
- Environmental scientist and specialist: Address issues like pollution by researching the causes and effects of environmental degradation.
- Nuclear monitoring technician: Conduct precise monitoring and testing of radiation levels and play a key role in maintaining safety regulations in nuclear facilities.
These careers reflect the broad potential of a bachelor's degree in a science field. By starting at NOVA and continuing your education, you can pursue a wide variety of rewarding roles that contribute to innovation, sustainability and public well-being.
Why Choose NOVA for Your Associate Degree in Science
Now that you’ve answered the question, “What can I do with an associate degree in science?”, why choose NOVA? NOVA’s Associate of Science in science degree offers a flexible, affordable way to start your college journey. You’ll learn in small classes with experienced faculty and get access to dedicated advising, free tutoring and transfer support.
Here’s what makes NOVA stand out: