Online Associate of Science in Professional Studies

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Program at a Glance

Select from two online pathways: a traditional term-based program or an independent, self-paced study program option.
Create a flexible Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) that meets your professional and personal interests.
Build your own degree with curriculum from Purdue Global and beyond.
Apply transfer credits from prior institutions or other experiential learning toward your degree requirements.^*

Upcoming Start Dates

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

Course Effort (Term Based)

15–18 Hours per Week

Course Length (Term Based)

10-Week Terms

Average Completion (Term Based)

2 years

Of Full-Time Study

Credits Required (Term Based)

(60 Semester Credits)

Cost per Credit (Term Based)

$371

Associate's Degree in Professional Studies Overview

Are you an independent thinker who’s motivated to earn a degree? Consider building your own open degree. Purdue Global’s online associate’s degree in professional studies is a customizable degree program that offers you an affordable, flexible way to attain your educational goals. All you need to enroll is a high school diploma and one college course under your belt.

We offer two online pathways to your associate’s in professional studies: a traditional term-based program and an independent study program.

Term-Based Program Option	Independent Program Option
Complete scheduled terms to earn your associate’s degree at Purdue Global	Complete courses at your own pace until the capstone (last course of the degree)
Pass eligible instructor-led courses that align with your ILP to earn credit	Pass Assessments of Skills and Knowledge (ASKs) that align with your ILP to earn credit
Tuition pricing based on per-credit-hour	Costs include monthly tuition fee, capstone course tuition, and ASK fees
Apply for financial and military aid if you qualify	Cash only
May defer outstanding loans	Cannot defer outstanding loans

Your previous college credits or work experience can help you save on the tuition and time needed to graduate. The degree program provides you with the flexibility of learning through resources that come from within and outside Purdue Global.

You may receive degree credit for prior coursework from an accredited institution, an experiential portfolio, open courses, examinations, military training, or other experiential learning.

Start by Creating an Individualized Learning Plan

Work with a Purdue Global faculty advisor to custom design a degree pathway known as an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP).

Create your personal career-goal statement.
Review your previously earned college credits.
Evaluate your prior experience for college credit.
Learn what is required to meet the degree program.
Identify potential course assessments and options to fulfill degree requirements.

Program Outcomes

Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Discuss issues and solutions to improve professional practice.
Critical Thinking: Interpret information from multiple sources for an issue in a professional field of interest.
Professionalism and Ethics: Apply ethical principles when making decisions as a leader.
Communication: Be able to communicate an issue and potential solution to a diverse group of stakeholders in your professional field of interest.
Analysis: Analyze a program-based solution to address an issue in a professional career field.

Study project management, problem solving, and strategic planning. Complete your associate’s degree in professional studies with a capstone class that includes a portfolio project.

Earn undergraduate college credit for learning you acquired outside of the classroom through Purdue Global’s credit for work and life experience online courses. Create a virtual portfolio of your accomplishments to earn credit that can be applied toward your degree.

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. The independent model has additional requirements. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View University Catalog

Take the Next Step in Your Education and Career

Career Opportunities

Earning a professional studies associate’s degree can prepare you for a wide variety of possible career outcomes, depending on your interests, background, and previous work experience. You can begin a new career or qualify for opportunities in a number of rewarding fields.^†

Continue With Your Bachelor’s Degree

As an associate’s degree graduate, you’ll be prepared to continue your academic journey with Purdue Global’s online Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies. You’ll also be prepared to enter a more structured online bachelor’s program at Purdue Global.^‡

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
Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Employee Savings and Benefits
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
International Tuition Reduction

International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.

International Tuition and Benefits

Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.

Select a discount option

In the associate’s degree in professional studies, your courses cover a range of fundamental subjects. Each course is taught by experienced professionals with extensive real-world knowledge.

See Professional Studies Degree Plan

Sample Courses

Interpersonal Communications
Public Speaking for the Professional
Arts and Humanities—Modern Creative Expressions
Sociology
Associate's Capstone in Professional Studies

Program Requirements

Core Credits
30
Major Credits
50
Elective Credits
10
Total Credits
90

98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51% Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395 Faculty publications in 2021–2022

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

^*Credit for Prior Learning: Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit from any of these sources. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

^†Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

^‡Future Programs: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

^§Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is based on U.S. Department of Education criteria and is determined from data submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may also be required to submit supporting documentation as part of a verification process to determine eligibility for financial aid. Subscription-based program models are not eligible for Title IV federal financial aid.