Capella University, formed in 1993, was the inspiration of Stephen Shank, the former CEO of the Tonka Corporation. The university was formerly known as The Graduate School of America. Its headquarters is in Minneapolis, MN.
Capella is an entirely online school that offers BS, MS, PhD and PsyD degrees in the following fields: business administration, information technology, education, human services and psychology. Business administration degrees inc
lude:
- BSBA
- MBA - (seven subspecialties)
- MS - Information Technology
- MS - Organization and Management
- PhD - Information Technology
- PhD - Organization and Management
The costs associated with the various programs are sometimes difficult to compute. A BSBA, for example, requires 180 "credits" at $300 each, for a total of $54,000. The cost of an MBA program, on the other hand, is $4,176 per quarter. If a typical student requires 6 quarters to complete the required 30 courses, the cost will be $25,056. A prospective student can go to the school's website for more information.
Students in the various PhD programs must, in addition to coursework, complete three one-week sessions (called "colloquia") that are held at various locations throughout the United States. Each weekly session costs an estimated $1,350. Approximately 44 per cent of Capella's students are enrolled in doctoral programs.
Capella's business administration programs lack accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); thus, graduate credits taken at Capella will not transfer to an AACSB-approved school. That may prove to be a disadvantage to military personnel who relocate frequently or who change programs.
Additionally, Capella has been the object of intense criticism on subjects ranging from undisclosed costs, relations with students, competence of the faculty and other subjects.
Interestingly, some colleges that also lack AACSB approval are not reluctant to hire persons who received Capella online doctorates. Strayer University, for example, hired two Capella grads to be campus deans at satellite campuses.
In sum, this university has few positives but an abundance of negatives. Prospective students should look elsewhere.
Comment Preview