Capella University

Degrees Offered at Capella University

Capella University appears in our ranking of 30 Great Colleges With An Increasing Student Population.

Capella University offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees entirely online.

Students can earn a BS, MS, MBA, PhD or DBA in our business school. Students can earn a BS, MS, MBA, Ph.D. or DBA in business, resource management or business management. For non-degree seeking students, a graduate certificate in human resource management can be earned.

In the education department, students have the option of an MS, MEd, EdD in a variety of areas, including higher education, teaching and learning, and education innovation and technology.

Capella offers a BS, MS, PsyD, PhD, and EdS in psychology. In the field of social work and human services, students can earn an MS, MSW, DHS, BSW or DSW in social work or human services. Graduate certificates are also available in two in-demand areas: applied behavior analysis and play therapy.

Students interested in nursing will find BSN, MSN and DNP degree options at Capella University. There are also three graduate certificate programs: care coordination, nursing informatics, and nursing leadership. There are also several degree options in the areas of public health and health administration.

One of Capella University’s most popular departments is that of information technology. Students can earn a BS, MS or PhD in Information Technology, in addition to an MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, an MS in Analytics or a Doctor of Information Technology (DIT).

About Capella University

Capella University is a distance learning institution based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With no actual campus, all Capella courses are offered online, with the exception of program-specific week-long residency seminars required for students in some degree programs. Capella is considered a for-profit university with programs designed for non-traditional learners, including those in the military and individuals who have established careers. The average age of a Capella learner is 39.

Recently, Capella University began offering several distinct learning paths in their competency-based education program. The first option, FlexPath, allows students to study with no semester or quarter system. Students can finish a course as quickly or as slowly as they need to, with the help of academic coaches. Students must meet competencies before moving onto the next course but are able to set their own deadlines around work or life schedules. For those with previous degrees or work experience, moving more quickly through a course or materials that are familiar is possible. This degree option is designed for the independent learner who does not require much guidance.

In the GuidedPath learning format, students will have structured deadlines but can work at their own pace within those deadlines. There are also weekly discussions with other students via an online message board, with faculty providing guidance and input. While students do not have to log in daily, they are required to meet weekly assignment deadlines. This option is designed for learners that prefer more guidance from faculty or would like the interaction of weekly discussion topics with peers and colleagues.

Capella University Accreditation Details

Capella University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Several of the University’s programs also hold department-specific accreditations, including:

  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
  • Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation (CSWE)
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (PMI-GAC)
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE)

Capella University Application Requirements

All prospective Capella students must submit an application and $50 application fee. Both can be submitted online via Capella’s website. Applicants must also submit an acknowledgment agreement, official transcripts for degree and post-degree coursework and proof of English proficiency. Some programs also have minimum GPA requirements.

In the GuidePath program, Capella also requires bachelor’s degree students to be at least 24 years of age, with the exception of military members, veterans or those with at least 24 credits of prior undergraduate coursework. Master’s degree students must provide proof of a bachelor’s degree and doctoral students must provide proof of a master’s degree.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Capella University’s tuition rate depends on the program chosen, as well as whether the student is in a FlexPath or GuidedPath program. For those in a FlexPath program, tuition works on a “subscription model”, with students paying per 12 weeks, rather than per course or credit. Visit https://www.capella.edu/tuition-financial-aid/tuition-fees/ for more information.

Certificate and doctoral programs also have additional fees for week-in-residence and year-in-residence extended seminar courses. There are also additional fees charged for application fees, transcript, and prior learning evaluation and for a Capella resource kit.

The majority of Capella University students are non-traditional learners and therefore the financial aid options look slightly different than it would for traditional college students. Some students might be eligible for federal student loans or employer benefits. In addition, Capella offers merit-based scholarships, as well as prior learning credits, work-study programs, and military benefits.

More information about Capella University’s variety of online undergraduate and graduate degrees can be found on the school’s website.