Online Associate's Degree in Professional Studies
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Associate's Degree in Professional Studies Overview
It’s your comeback, so build a degree that matches your personal goals and interests. Design a custom program that moves your career forward.
- Learn to discuss and analyze issues in your organization, communicate solutions to diverse stakeholders, and become an ethical leader in your field of interest.
- Select from two online pathways: a traditional term-based program or an independent, self-paced study option.
- Create a flexible Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) that meets your professional and personal interests.
- Build an open degree with curriculum from Purdue Global and beyond.
- Get the credit you deserve. Use your past learning and experience to graduate faster and save on tuition. Learn more about transfer credits.
Two Pathways to Your Associate’s
Are you a motivated, independent thinker who’s taken at least one college course? It’s time to take charge of your education. Choose from two program options:
| Term-Based | Independent |
|---|---|
| Complete scheduled terms at a set pace | 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 | Self-pay |
| You may defer outstanding loans | You cannot defer outstanding loans |
First Step: Create Your ILP
Start by working with a Purdue Global faculty Advisor to custom design an ILP that matches your career and personal interests:
- Create a personal career goal statement.
- Review any college credits you earned in the past.
- See which of your prior experiences may count for college credit.
- Identify what you’ll need to do to complete the degree program.
- Discover course assessments and ways to fulfill your degree requirements.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Develop Your Professional Skills
Study topics like project management, problem solving, and strategic planning. Complete your final capstone class by creating a portfolio to showcase your learning.
Your Experience Counts at Purdue Global
Complete our credit for work and life experience online course to build an online portfolio of your past accomplishments. Get college credit for what you’ve already achieved and learned.
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.
What Courses Will I Take?
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.
Sample Courses
- Interpersonal Communications
- Public Speaking for the Professional
- Arts and Humanities—Modern Creative Expressions
- Sociology
- Associate's Capstone in Professional Studies
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
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.
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.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Take the Next Step in Your Education and Career
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.
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 graduate was awarded 62% of the credits needed for an associate and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Take a Career Assessment
Discover your work interests, and use them to chart your ideal career path.
Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about our bachelor's and associate's degrees in professional studies and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
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 have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.