News Releases
Capella University Launches Online Doctor of Social Work and MS in Career Counseling
Online university also announces new Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
MINNEAPOLIS, February 17, 2010 - Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* online university that has built its reputation by providing quality graduate education for working adults, announced two new educational offerings, a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) and a Master of Science in Career Counseling. The online degree programs will be part of Capella's new Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Online DSW helps meet critical need for doctoral-trained social workers
"Societal changes, including an aging population and an increase in home-based care, have increased the demand for all levels of social work professionals," said Jody Neuman-Aamlie, PhD, LP, interim dean of the new school. "That has resulted in a critical need for doctoral-trained social workers with the advanced knowledge to serve as faculty, administrators, and leaders within the field."
Capella's program is one of very few online DSW degrees. "The need for an online DSW program is particularly acute because there are a limited number of doctoral social work programs offered in the U.S.," said Dr. Neuman-Aamlie. "In fact, 17 states have no doctoral programs in social work. Our online program, designed around national social work education guidelines, provides social work practitioners and educators an opportunity to earn a doctoral degree online without relocating or putting their careers on hold. Our DSW also has a strong focus on the growing use of technology in the practice of social work, and our online platform is ideal for exploring that area of knowledge."
Online master's is designed around leading counseling education standards
The country's uncertain job market has expanded opportunities for career counselors, and Capella's new MS in Career Counseling is designed to deliver the knowledge, skills, and best practices needed to help individuals develop employment, career, and life plans. Designed around leading counseling education standards, Capella's degree program is one of very few online master's programs in career counseling. It leverages Capella's strong expertise in counseling education, which now includes a dozen counseling degrees and certificates, including three CACREP-accredited master's programs in counseling: Mental Health Counseling; Marriage and Family Therapy; and School Counseling.
"Our MS in Career Counseling program includes online course work, residencies, and clinical experiences, allowing students to gain both practical and theoretical knowledge of the field," said Dr. Neuman-Aamlie. "It also provides our students the opportunity to learn how to conduct career counseling in both face-to-face and online settings."
New school brings together all social and behavioral science degree programs
Capella University also announced the creation of a new school, the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The name honors Capella's co-founder and first president, Dr. Harold Abel. The university's existing School of Human Services and Harold Abel School of Psychology will move to the new school as the Department of Counseling and the Department of Psychology, respectively. The new school also features a Department of Social Work. "Although the professions of psychology, counseling, and social work will remain distinct, the new school will provide students and faculty with a more diverse academic community while improving administrative efficiencies," said Dr. Neuman-Aamlie.
Enrollment now open
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for these new offerings. For more information, please call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552) or e-mail info@capella.edu.
Review of these degree programs is pending in AZ, FL, KS, KY, ND, and SC.
About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults. More than 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, information technology, education, human services, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 129 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. Nearly 34,000 learners were enrolled as of Dec. 31, 2009, from all 50 states and 52 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, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.
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