Online Associate’s Degree in Small Group Management

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Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ready to Take the Next Step?

Program at a Glance

  • The AAS in Small Group Management is designed specifically for servicemembers and veterans.
  • Apply EPME and additional learning to graduate in as few as:
  • Air Force, Space Force, and Navy: Receive a no-cost review of your JST and/or civilian transcripts to determine credit awards.
Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Course Delivery
100% Online
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Courses Required
As Few as 5
Tuition Reduction
55% for Active Duty
38% for Veterans
Servicemembers and Veterans: Earn Credit for Your Training
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Associate of Applied Science in Small Group Management Overview

Purdue Global’s online AAS in Small Group Management was designed to offer Army active-duty, National Guard, Reserves, and veterans an opportunity to use their military training to earn a degree faster. This innovative program was specifically created to build upon the training you receive as part of your service and award college credit, putting a relevant, valuable associate’s degree within your reach.

As a student, you’ll focus on developing key management skills including communication within small groups, conflict management, risk management, ethical decision-making and problem-solving, employee development, team synergy, and effective goal setting.

The program culminates in a capstone course that gives you hands-on experience managing small groups within the military, and could help enhance your professional development.


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Note: To be eligible for this program, servicemembers must have completed military learning that can fulfill the program’s small group management elective requirements.

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 can earn a degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Many occupations across each branch have been evaluated for credit toward a Purdue Global degree. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your training counts as credit.

How Many Credits Have You Earned?

Admissions Requirements

Enrollment in the Associate of Applied Science in Small Group Management is limited to U.S. active-duty servicemembers and veterans. In addition, you must meet Purdue Global's general admissions requirements. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Ways to Save

  • Transfer Credits

    Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

    Save Time and Money on Your Degree

  • Prior Work Experience

    You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

    Your Experience Counts

  • Financial Aid

    Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.

    Financial Aid FAQ

  • Grants

    Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.

    Federal and State Grants

  • Military Tuition Reduction

    55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.

    Tuition Savings for Military

  • Prior Military Experience

    We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

    Credit for Military Training

Program Cost Estimator

Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.

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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

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

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.

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.

No-Cost Transcript Review

All servicemembers receive a no-cost review of their JST and/or civilian transcripts to determine credit awards.

Tuition Reductions

We offer significantly reduced tuition rates for servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve, and veterans.

Learn More

What Courses Will I Take?

Apply professional military education and additional learning toward degree requirements to get to graduation faster.

See All Small Group Management Courses
Sample Courses
  • General Education Courses
  • Academic Strategies for the Military Professional
  • Introduction to Management
  • Capstone in Small Group Management

Program Requirements

  • Core Credits
    20
  • Major Credits
    35
  • Elective Credits
    35
  • Total Credits
    90

Career Opportunities

This online degree in small group management is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills to become a more effective leader and more valued employee in your current career. As a graduate of Purdue Global’s associate’s degree program, you can pursue various employment opportunities in sales, administration, distribution management, and more.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Critical Thinking
  3. Coordination
  4. Speaking
  5. Judgment and Decision- Making

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

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.

View Business Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 51% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 395 Faculty publications in 2021–2022
student at desk icon More Than 38,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Average Military Credit Award: Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, September 2021. 2020–2021 academic year. Credit earned in an associate’s degree program through Purdue Global applied earlier as part of a pool of prior degree credit is not included in this calculation. The actual percentage may be slightly higher for students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs. Individual experiences will vary. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit from any of these sources. See University Catalog for Prior Learning policy. Speak to an Admissions Advisor to find out how many credits may be eligible to transfer.

Coursework reduction reflects an educational mapping based on the completion of enlisted professional military education (EPME), credit for occupation/rating duties, and credit for additional sources of prior learning (such as functional training, CLEP/DSST exams, and other college credit). Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit from any of these sources. All credits must be validated on official transcript(s) to be eligible for transfer.