News Releases
Capella University Announces New DPA, MPA, and BPA Online Degrees
Online university is one of few to offer all three public administration degrees online
MINNEAPOLIS, June 3, 2009 - Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults, has announced three new online degrees, a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA), a Master of Public Administration (MPA), and a Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA). The programs feature Capella's multidisciplinary approach to public service leadership, which brings together faculty and students from public administration, public safety, and health care, professionals who often must work together to address public sector challenges. Capella is the only online university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in all three disciplines.
"Capella's innovative approach to public service education provides the depth and breadth of knowledge needed by today's public administrators, while also offering the means to create significant networks across public service disciplines," said Christopher Cassirer, ScD, MPH, president of Capella University and dean of the new School of Public Service Leadership. "These connections not only will strengthen their collaborative skills during their educational program, but will provide them with a powerful, interdisciplinary learning experience they can access throughout their career."
Meeting a critical need for new public service leaders
"We are introducing these new public administration programs during a critical time," continued Dr. Cassirer. "Many of the current public administrators are nearing retirement. At the federal level alone, it's estimated that more than half the supervisors will be eligible to retire in the next several years. This is happening at the same time that President Obama has put out a national call for Americans to serve their communities and for government agencies to work together with nonprofit organizations and the private sector and learn from each other's successes. We believe the multidisciplinary approach of our public administration programs will help answer that call, by providing up-and-coming public service leaders with the skills they need to address today's complex public sector challenges."
Programs feature advanced learning technologies, national public service experts
"The programs take full advantage of our online learning environment," said Suzanne Holmes, DPA, faculty chair of Capella's Public Administration and Public Health programs. "Our advanced learning technologies provide students with opportunities to test real-world scenarios, collaborate on case studies, and have in-depth discussions with colleagues across all public service disciplines, and from jurisdictions throughout the United States and the world. And because we are online, we have no geographic limitations when recruiting faculty. As a result, we have been able to attract exceptional scholar-practitioners who have tackled challenging public service problems in a variety of government agencies across the country."
Both the DPA and the MPA courses are taught in a prescribed sequence, helping students build on their newly developed knowledge, skills, and networks. All three programs feature convenient electronic textbooks, which lower program costs and provide immediate access to course materials.
MPA students eligible for tuition savings
As an indication of Capella's commitment to public service education, the university has announced more than $100,000 in tuition savings for students enrolled in selected online master's programs in its School of Public Service Leadership. MPA students who start their program between July 13 and October 5, 2009, are eligible for tuition savings during the first four quarters of their program.
Enrollment now open
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for its DPA, MPA, and BPA programs. For more information, please call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552) or e-mail info@capella.edu.
Review of the DPA, MPA, and BPA programs are pending in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, MN, ND, SC, VA, WA, and WI.
About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully 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, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public administration, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 123 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. More than 28,000 learners were enrolled as of March 31, 2009, from all 50 states and 55 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, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.
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