Program Details
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, A.A.S.
Associate of Applied ScienceNorthern Virginia Community College
This program is included in: Fast Forward
This curriculum is designed to prepare students for jobs in the air conditioning and refrigeration field. The second year provides students with skills that lead to leadership positions in the HVACR industry. Occupational objectives include industry licensing, advanced critical thinking skills, and state tradesman licenses in HVACR.Occupational objective includes preparing graduates with the knowledge and skills to become industry certified technicians, as well as meeting the educational requirements to be licensed as a HVACR Tradesman in Virginia.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program head.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of Applied Science is accredited by HVAC Excellence (Benchmark of Academic Excellence). The date of the last review was 2010. |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript. |
Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies/HVAC and Refrigeration | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Maritime Technologies (HVAC) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
49-9021.00 | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves. | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations |
17-3029.00 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
17-3029.01 | Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
17-3029.08 | Photonics Technicians | Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
Cost To Complete

Ready To Enroll?
- Find the program you want and apply here. OR
- Contact a navigator using the form below and they will guide you through the enrollment process.