Capella University
Encyclopedia
Capella University is a for-profit co-educational university with partial residency requirements during the course of study, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
.
The school is owned by the publicly traded Capella Education Company
. Capella University offers bachelor's
, master's
(MS and MBA) and doctoral
(PhD and PsyD) degrees in business
, information technology
, education
, psychology
, public health
, public safety
and human services.
Within those areas, Capella has 140 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs with over 1050 online courses. More than 35,000 learners are enrolled from all 50 states and 59 other countries, with 31% enrolled in doctoral programs, 47 percent enrolled in master's programs, and 21 percent enrolled in bachelor's programs. A faculty of 1,488 professors with 83 percent holding doctoral degrees. Capella faculty live in 47 states and 6 foreign countries.
, who believed adults were an academically underserved population by traditional universities.
In 1993, Dr. Harold Abel, a former president of three universities, became the first president of the Graduate School of America. This school was later renamed Capella University.
In April 1996, Capella (at the time TGSA - the Graduate School of America), launched its website and online program developed by Steve Arakawa (Webmaster and course developer), under the direction of Bruce Francis (President).
In 1997, Capella University received regional accreditation.
In 1999, the parent company and university were renamed to Capella Education Company and Capella University, respectively.
In 2000, the Capella University began to offer bachelor's degree programs for the first time.
In 2006, Capella Education Company became a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CPLA).
In 2007, Capella was named one of 86 higher education institutions in the United States to have received the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) designation by the National Security Agency
(NSA). The designation is valid for the academic years 2007 through 2012.
In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant of the 225 South Sixth
skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expanded its office and renamed the building Capella Tower effective March 2009. The building houses all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff.
In 2009, The Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (GAC)accredited two Capella University online degree programs: the MS in Information Technology with a specialization in Project Management; and the BS in Information Technology with a specialization in Project Management.
In 2009, Capella University launched its School of Public Service Leadership.
In 2010, Capella University, along with three other schools, was awarded the CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes by The Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Capella University had an open enrollment
admission policy until November 2010, which only required proof of a high school diploma, GED or its equivalent for undergraduate admission. Currently, Undergraduate Applicants who do not have any credits eligible for transfer must successfully complete a university-approved examination to be considered for admission.
Capella University's enrollment is composed mainly of graduate students including 47 percent MS/MBA students and 31 percent PhD
/PsyD doctoral students. The undergraduate population of Capella makes up 22 percent of the student body. Less than one percent are working on certificate programs. The average age of a Capella student is 39. Ninety-four percent of students are enrolled part-time, 74 percent of students are female, and 53 percent of students are ethnic minorities.
software. There are also residency requirements for certain graduate programs such as a one-year residency for clinical psychology and residencies for other master's and doctoral programs.
Capella University provides applicants opportunities to earn a limited number of credits through a prior learning assessment program, which can provide college credit for experience-based learning.
ranked the school as No. 3 Online University and No. 140 University overall on the TrendTopper Media Buzz list of the nation’s Top 300 Colleges and Universities.
According to the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Capella University exceeds the national average among colleges and universities in the level of academic challenge offered to its students, and in providing a supportive campus environment.
by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
and headquartered in Minneapolis
, Minnesota
.
Capella University participates in the North Central Associations (NCA) Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).The normal accreditation review process is every ten years, member schools who participate in the AQIP program have their accreditation reviewed yearly. AQIP is a form of lean
management or process improvement
for education.
Capella's Master's of Science degree programs in Mental Health Counseling, Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling, and School Counseling are accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs CACREP.
Capella University's Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs are accredited by ABET
.
, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) focusing on the university's policies and procedures concerning the return of Title IV funds as required by Federal Law for students who failed to give official notice that they were withdrawing from the school. The OIG contends that Capella made accounting mistakes in how it calculated student eligibility for government-subsidized loans, including failing to return all funds disbursed on behalf of students who dropped out before their first day of class. Capella University, in a response to the audit, says it recognizes some past shortcomings in its accounting practices and made changes to ensure that such errors are not repeated.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.
The school is owned by the publicly traded Capella Education Company
Capella Education Company
Capella Education Company is an education services holding company which owns for-profit, online Capella University and other assets.What is now the Capella Education Company was founded in 1991 by Stephen Shank, former CEO of Tonka Corporation. In 1993, it opened The Graduate School of America...
. Capella University offers bachelor's
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
, master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
(MS and MBA) and doctoral
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
(PhD and PsyD) degrees in business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
, education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, public safety
Public Safety
Public safety involves the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public from significant danger, injury/harm, or damage, such as crimes or disasters .-See also:* By nation...
and human services.
Within those areas, Capella has 140 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs with over 1050 online courses. More than 35,000 learners are enrolled from all 50 states and 59 other countries, with 31% enrolled in doctoral programs, 47 percent enrolled in master's programs, and 21 percent enrolled in bachelor's programs. A faculty of 1,488 professors with 83 percent holding doctoral degrees. Capella faculty live in 47 states and 6 foreign countries.
History
What is now Capella University was established in 1991 by Dr. Harold Abel and Stephen Shank, former CEO of TonkaTonka
Tonka is an American toy company most known for its signature toy trucks and construction equipment.-History:On September 18, 1946 Mound Metalcraft was created in Mound, Minnesota with three men as partners, Lynn Everett Baker , Avery F. Crounse, and Alvin F. Tesch. The first products produced by...
, who believed adults were an academically underserved population by traditional universities.
In 1993, Dr. Harold Abel, a former president of three universities, became the first president of the Graduate School of America. This school was later renamed Capella University.
In April 1996, Capella (at the time TGSA - the Graduate School of America), launched its website and online program developed by Steve Arakawa (Webmaster and course developer), under the direction of Bruce Francis (President).
In 1997, Capella University received regional accreditation.
In 1999, the parent company and university were renamed to Capella Education Company and Capella University, respectively.
In 2000, the Capella University began to offer bachelor's degree programs for the first time.
In 2006, Capella Education Company became a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CPLA).
In 2007, Capella was named one of 86 higher education institutions in the United States to have received the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) designation by the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
(NSA). The designation is valid for the academic years 2007 through 2012.
In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant of the 225 South Sixth
225 South Sixth
Capella Tower is a skyscraper in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The building opened in 1992 with the First Bank Place being the headquarters for First Bank System. In 1997, First Bank System acquired US Bancorp and changed the name of the building to US Bancorp Place...
skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expanded its office and renamed the building Capella Tower effective March 2009. The building houses all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff.
In 2009, The Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (GAC)accredited two Capella University online degree programs: the MS in Information Technology with a specialization in Project Management; and the BS in Information Technology with a specialization in Project Management.
In 2009, Capella University launched its School of Public Service Leadership.
In 2010, Capella University, along with three other schools, was awarded the CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes by The Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Enrollment
Open enrollment
Annual enrollment is a period of time, usually but not always occurring once per year, when employees of U.S. companies and organizations may make additions, changes or deletions to their elected fringe benefit options...
admission policy until November 2010, which only required proof of a high school diploma, GED or its equivalent for undergraduate admission. Currently, Undergraduate Applicants who do not have any credits eligible for transfer must successfully complete a university-approved examination to be considered for admission.
Capella University's enrollment is composed mainly of graduate students including 47 percent MS/MBA students and 31 percent PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
/PsyD doctoral students. The undergraduate population of Capella makes up 22 percent of the student body. Less than one percent are working on certificate programs. The average age of a Capella student is 39. Ninety-four percent of students are enrolled part-time, 74 percent of students are female, and 53 percent of students are ethnic minorities.
Learning environment
As an online university, the majority of learning takes place via the Internet. Capella University's online environment is organized into courserooms, with each course utilizing its own individual component. These courserooms are built on the Blackboard Learning SystemBlackboard Learning System
The Blackboard Learning System is a virtual learning environment and course management system developed by Blackboard Inc. Features include course management, a customizable open architecture, and a scalable design that allows for integration with student information systems and authentication...
software. There are also residency requirements for certain graduate programs such as a one-year residency for clinical psychology and residencies for other master's and doctoral programs.
Capella University provides applicants opportunities to earn a limited number of credits through a prior learning assessment program, which can provide college credit for experience-based learning.
Rankings
2010 Global Language MonitorGlobal Language Monitor
The Global Language Monitor is an Austin, Texas-based company that collectively documents, analyzes and tracks trends in language usage worldwide, with a particular emphasis upon the English language...
ranked the school as No. 3 Online University and No. 140 University overall on the TrendTopper Media Buzz list of the nation’s Top 300 Colleges and Universities.
According to the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Capella University exceeds the national average among colleges and universities in the level of academic challenge offered to its students, and in providing a supportive campus environment.
Accreditation
Capella University has regional accreditationRegional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
and headquartered in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
Capella University participates in the North Central Associations (NCA) Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).The normal accreditation review process is every ten years, member schools who participate in the AQIP program have their accreditation reviewed yearly. AQIP is a form of lean
Lean
-In business:* Lean Startup, how to start a company in a lean way* Lean manufacturing, process improvement discipline* Lean construction is a translation and adaption of lean manufacturing principles and practices to the end-to-end design and construction process...
management or process improvement
Process improvement
In organizational development , process improvement is a series of actions taken by a process owner to identify, analyze and improve existing business processes within an organization to meet new goals and objectives. These actions often follow a specific methodology or strategy to create...
for education.
Capella's Master's of Science degree programs in Mental Health Counseling, Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling, and School Counseling are accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs CACREP.
Capella University's Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs are accredited by ABET
Abet
Abet may refer to:* Abet Guidaben , former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player* ABET, Inc., a non-profit organization that accredits higher education programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology....
.
Notable Alumni, Professors, Associates of Capella
The following is a list of notable Capella University people. It includes alumni, professors, and others associated with Capella University. This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.- Dr. Curtis J. Crawford, American computer systems engineer and CEO
- Dr. David F. DuncanDavid F. DuncanDavid F. Duncan, Dr. P.H. was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 26, 1947. He is President of Duncan & Associates, a firm providing consultation on research design and data collection for behavioral and policy studies. He is also Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health...
, American epidemiologist and expert on drug abuse. - Christopher ErhardtChristopher ErhardtChristopher Erhardt was born in Seattle, Washington in the late 1950s. He is currently the Head of School - US Campuses for the Academy of Interactive Entertainment...
, American video game designer and retired professor - Don NicholasDon NicholasDon Nicholas is a publisher and information architect currently living Wayland, Massachusetts. Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from California State University, Sacramento and a Masters of Science in Management from Capella University.Nicholas served in United States Navy aboard...
, American publisher and information architect - Richard RiosRichard RiosRichard "Rick" Rios is a conservative political activist who has worked with several state and national organizations to promote small government, lower taxes, and minority rights...
, U.S. Republican political activist (non-graduate) - Dr. Betty SchuelerBetty SchuelerBetty Jane Schueler, Ph.D. , born in 1944 in Washington, DC, is an author, a computer consultant, and a free-lance writer, editor and artist. She is the co-author, editor, researcher, contributor to and/or illustrator of 26 non-fiction books for general audiences and dozens of technical books for...
, American author and computer consultant - Dr. Gerald SchuelerGerald SchuelerGerald Schueler, Ph.D. is an author, free-lance writer, editor, and artist and a retired systems analyst...
, American author and retired Systems Analyst - Rafael C. Castillo, PhD, First Editor of ViAztlan: a journal of Chicano Arts and Letters
- Dr. Rhadi FergusonRhadi FergusonDr. Rhadi Bullard Ferguson is an Bahamian American mixed martial arts trainer, strength and conditioning coach, motivational speaker, and black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.- Biography :...
, 2004 United States Judo Olympian, 4-Time National Judo Champion, Only PhD Male and also the only African American PhD Mixed Martial Arts Fighter to fight in a major organization StrikeforceStrikeforceStrikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
. Dr. Rhadi Ferguson is also a master educator, trainer, teacher and coach.
Controversy
In 2006, a compliance audit was commenced by the United States Department of EducationUnited States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) focusing on the university's policies and procedures concerning the return of Title IV funds as required by Federal Law for students who failed to give official notice that they were withdrawing from the school. The OIG contends that Capella made accounting mistakes in how it calculated student eligibility for government-subsidized loans, including failing to return all funds disbursed on behalf of students who dropped out before their first day of class. Capella University, in a response to the audit, says it recognizes some past shortcomings in its accounting practices and made changes to ensure that such errors are not repeated.