Online Associate’s Degree in Small Group Management
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38% for Veterans
Associate’s in Small Group Management Overview
Servicemembers and veterans — it’s time get the recognition you deserve. Use your military training to earn your associate’s degree faster.
- Build upon your training and receive college credit — this innovative program was designed specifically to offer Army active-duty, National Guard, Reserves, and veterans a direct path to a valuable degree.
- Apply EPME and additional learning to graduate in as few as:
- 5 courses for Army
- 6 courses for Marines
- 7 courses for Coast Guard
- Air Force, Space Force, and Navy: Receive a no-cost review of your CCAF, JST, and/or civilian transcripts to determine credit awards.
- Develop key management skills including communication within small groups, conflict management, risk management, ethical decision-making, problem-solving, employee development, team synergy, and effective goal setting.
- Gain practical experience managing small groups within the military through a hands-on final capstone course.
Shorten Your Path to a Bachelor’s Degree
Reach your career goals sooner. Credits earned in the AAS in Small Group Management can be transferred into a Purdue Global bachelor’s degree program.
You could earn your Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies with just 13 additional courses.
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your occupational and military training counts as college credit.
Note: To be eligible for this program, servicemembers must have completed military learning that can fulfill the program’s small group management elective requirements.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
We Are a Military Friendly School
Purdue Global understands the importance of a quality education and offers flexible programs designed to support those who balance career, duty, family, and their studies.
2025–26 Military Friendly® School
2025–26 Military Friendly Spouse School®
2024 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges
What Courses Will I Take?
Apply professional military education and additional learning toward degree requirements to get to graduation faster.
Sample Courses
- General Education Courses
- Academic Strategies for the Military Professional
- Introduction to Management
- Capstone in Small Group Management
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Associate's to Bachelor's Pathways Allow You to Maximize Your Professional Military Education
The Associate of Applied Science in Small Group Management is just one step down the pathway to lifelong education. Purdue Global offers two different bachelor’s degrees to help develop your leadership and management skills to give you an advantage as you progress in your career path.
Army Soldiers: Earn Your Degree in as Few as 5 Courses, Then Your Bachelor's in a Shortened Amount of Time
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies in as few as few as 12 additional courses. View the transfer pathway.
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management in as few as 14 additional courses. View the transfer pathway.
Marines: Earn Your Degree in as Few as 6 Courses, Then Your Bachelor's in a Shortened Amount of Time
We have completed an extensive review of USMC NCO training from Corporals Course through Advanced Course to award the maximum number of credits toward the degree program. With all likely training considered, an Infantry Rifleman Sergeant (E-5) can receive 60 credits and earn an associate’s degree in as few as 6 courses.
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies in as few as few as 13 additional courses. View the transfer pathway.
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management in as few as 15 additional courses. View the transfer pathway.
Coast Guardsmen: Earn Your Degree in as Few as 7 Courses, Then Your Bachelor's in a Shortened Amount of Time
After reviewing the training and education that a Boatswain’s Mate rating receives, we have determined that a BM1 (E-6) can receive 55 credits and earn this associate's degree in as few as 7 courses.
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies in as few as few as 12 additional courses. View the transfer pathway.
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management in as few as 14 additional courses. View the transfer pathway.
Airmen, Guardians, and Sailors: Get Credit for Your Military Training and Prior Learning
Receive a no-cost review of your JST and/or civilian transcripts to determine credit awards. The average Purdue Global military graduate is awarded credit toward 54% of an associate’s degree and 45% of a bachelor’s.
See how far your training takes you. Contact an Admissions Advisor.
The determination of courses remaining is specific to each branch cited. Credit awards will vary based on military branch, occupation, skill level/rank/rate, completed military courses as listed on your official Joint Services Transcript(s), and applicable prior learning that can apply toward degree requirements.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Tuition Case Study: Active-Duty Servicemember
See how one student saved more than $11,000 in tuition. What could your military training save you?
A servicemember joined the military right out of high school and wasn’t sure if their training would help them earn a degree. After contacting a Purdue Global Advisor, they learned their infantry experience and prior Sophia Learning courses would award them 67 transfer credits, putting them on track to graduate with their associate’s degree in as few as 2 terms.
Estimated Remaining Classes: 4
Estimated Remaining Terms to Graduation: 2
| Tuition | Quarter Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| AAS in Small Group Management | $14,355* | 90 |
| U.S. Army Training Credits | -$9,900 | -60 |
| Sophia Learning Credits | -$1,155 | -7 |
| Total Savings/Credits Awarded | $11,055 | 67 |
| Remaining Tuition/Credits | $3,300 | 23 |
Free Credit Evaluation
You could be closer to your degree than you think. Contact an Advisor for a free evaluation of your prior learning, work experience, military training, and other life experiences.
*Based on active-duty tuition rate of $165 per quarter credit hour. See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Tell me about a time you were part of a small group project or task. What was your specific role or contribution, and how did you ensure your work aligned with the group's overall objective?
- Describe a situation in a small group setting (academic, work, or volunteer) where you encountered an unexpected challenge or obstacle. How did you and the group approach the problem, and what steps did you take to find a solution?
- Share an example of a time you helped ensure clear communication within a small group, perhaps when information was complex or there was a risk of misunderstanding. What methods did you use to facilitate understanding, and what was the result?
- Tell me about a time when you saw an opportunity to improve a process or take on a responsibility within a small group, even if it wasn't formally assigned to you. What did you do, and what was the outcome for the group?
- Describe a situation where a member of your small group was struggling or seemed unmotivated. What did you do to support or encourage them, and how did that impact the group's overall progress or morale?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Management
- Communication
- Sales
- Interpersonal Communication
- Leadership
- Planning
- Problem Solving
- Writing
- Teamwork
- Digital Literacy
- Professionalism
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Research
- Operations
- Marketing
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
Faculty publications in 2022–2023
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.