Capella University Launches 13 Educational Offerings, Including Four Certificates, Four Minors, Four Emphases, and One New Doctoral Pathway

Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 24, 2014--Capella University has announced its largest program launch in more than seven years, introducing 13 new programs and program options and adding new programs and specializations to its innovative direct-assessment program. The new programs cover areas such as nursing, data analytics, homeland security, public safety, business administration, and K-12 education. Many offer more direct pathways to meeting educational and career goals; others provide the opportunity to specialize in high-demand areas that can help working professionals differentiate themselves in competitive employment markets. ( ) is a regionally * that offers designed to help working adults advance in their careers.

New programs and specializations added to FlexPath direct-assessment program Capella has added additional programs and specializations to its innovative FlexPath learning model, allowing students to choose between FlexPath and Capella’s standard online learning format. FlexPath uses a competency-based, direct-assessment learning model rather than a traditional credit-hour standard.

“FlexPath is an important innovation for students who are self-directed, highly motivated, and comfortable learning independently. It allows students to work at their own pace, which offers the potential to reduce the cost and time to complete a program,” said Scott Kinney, president of Capella University. “The original focus of our FlexPath offerings was our bachelor’s- and master’s-level business degrees. We are expanding FlexPath to help us understand the needs of learners in different academic areas, such as IT and psychology. These incremental additions will allow us to build our FlexPath offerings in a thoughtful, purposeful manner.”

The new FlexPath offerings include:

, General Information Technology specialization, and , General Information Systems and Technology Management specialization and **, General Psychology specializations Master of Business Administration (MBA), and specializations Post-bachelor’s certificates in , , , and Four new data-focused offerings and three new business certificates To meet the growing demand for data professionals, Capella has launched three new minors and one certificate focused on data analytics:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Eligible students in the three bachelor’s programs can enroll in a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree option that allows them to complete both degrees in less time and at a lower cost.

In addition to the new Business Intelligence certificate, Capella has launched post-bachelor’s certificates in and . All three certificates provide students an opportunity to earn a marketable credential in as little as eight months, or potentially sooner if they opt for the FlexPath learning model. Students can also apply their certificate credits to a Capella program.

BSN-to-DNP offers accelerated pathway to DNP To help address the nationwide shortage of doctoral-prepared nurses, Capella has added a . For nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) whose ultimate goal is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), the new BSN-to-DNP pathway provides the most direct path to ***, without the time and expense of earning an MSN along the way.

New public safety options offer career differentiation Capella now offers a new and a Public Safety Leadership concentration. The online university has also updated its Homeland Security concentration.

The Homeland Security certificate is a four-course program that can be completed in as little as six months, providing students a respected credential and critical knowledge without the time or cost of a master’s degree program. For those whose ultimate goal is a master’s degree, Capella’s Homeland Security certificate courses can be applied to a Capella MS or .

Capella’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Leadership concentrations are available as an option with many of Capella’s graduate programs in Public Safety and Public Administration, allowing students to differentiate themselves in the competitive employment market.

Common Core emphases are added to MS in Education, K-12 Studies in Education Capella has added four content emphases to its specialization. The emphases—Standards-Based Math, Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts—incorporate the national developed by education leaders across the country.

“We consider the Common Core State Standards among the most relevant issues in K-12 education today and we felt it was important to augment our K-12 Studies in Education master’s program to prepare educators to teach this content,” said Feranda Williamson, EdD, dean of Capella’s School of Education.

Enrollment now open For more information, please call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552) or email .

A snapshot of Capella and what makes it unique is available through the university's . The learning and career outcomes of Capella's students and alumni can be found at .

For expense, completion and outcome information, visit:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) **In accordance with U.S. Department of Education (ED) direct assessment approval requirements, a notification has been submitted to the ED so that the IT and Psychology FlexPath programs may be eligible for federal financial aid. These programs are currently not approved for federal financial aid. Capella University will keep applicants and learners interested in FlexPath fully informed of any decisions made by the ED.

Review of the Business Intelligence, Business Management, and Entrepreneurship certificates is pending in AL, FL, KS, and KY.

For the Management Consulting certificate: Capella University cannot guarantee certification, other professional credential, or salary advancement. It is the learner's responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for certification, including consulting experience. For more information see Chartered Institute of Management Consultant’s website ( ).

Maryland and North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in the DNP. The DNP is not designed to prepare graduates for entry-level or advanced practice licensure as a nurse.

For bachelor’s programs: Arkansas residents must complete Arkansas general education requirements.

For the MS in Education K-12 Studies in Education:

Maryland residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization. This specialization does not satisfy licensure requirements for P–12 public school teachers or administrators. State regulations vary regarding salary benefits. It is the learner’s responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their state. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. For more information on licensure, please see the Licensure section on the school’s website. This specialization does not provide advanced teacher licensure nor does it necessarily qualify candidates for advancements in pay in North Carolina. Candidates should contact their local school administrative offices and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction ( ) regarding specific advanced licensure and pay requirements in their program areas. About Capella University Capella University ( ) is a regionally accredited online university* that offers online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers. Over 70 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. Capella currently offers 42 graduate and undergraduate degree programs, 141 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 25 certificate programs, including six new direct assessment delivery programs**. Approximately 35,000 learners were enrolled as of Dec. 31, 2013, from all 50 states and 61 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company (NASDAQ: CPLA), headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

Visit the Capella page at . Follow Capella on at .

* Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), . Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), .

** In accordance with U.S. Department of Education (ED) direct assessment approval requirements, a notification has been submitted to the ED so that the IT and Psychology FlexPath programs may be eligible for federal financial aid. These programs are currently not approved for federal financial aid. Capella University will keep applicants and learners interested in FlexPath fully informed of any decisions made by the ED.

*** The BSN, MSN and DNP degree programs at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791 .

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140424005757/en/

CONTACT: Capella University

Michael Walsh, 612-977-5661

michael.walsh@capella.edu

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA MINNESOTA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: WOMEN EDUCATION UNIVERSITY CONTINUING OTHER EDUCATION TRAINING CONSUMER MEN

SOURCE: Capella University

PUB: 04/24/2014 07:37 AM/DISC: 04/24/2014 07:37 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140424005757/en