News Releases
Capella University Announces New Educational Offerings
Online university enhances counseling programs, adds new MS in Leadership online degree program, and offers cost-saving option for BS to MS in IT
MINNEAPOLIS, July 29, 2009 - Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for adults, announced several new educational offerings today. Six MS in Human Services counseling specializations will become separate degree programs, enhancing Capella's strong offerings in the field of counseling. Capella also announced a new online master's degree program in Leadership, and a Combined BS/MS in Information Technology option that allows qualified students enrolled in bachelor's-level IT specializations to reduce the time and cost of earning an MS in IT in the corresponding specialization.
Counseling specializations become degree programs
"We have converted all six of our MS in Human Services counseling specializations to separate degree programs in order to enhance their recognition among regulatory agencies, employers, and the public," said Anna Hultquist, associate dean of Capella's School of Human Services. "That means, for example, that our MS in Human Services, Mental Health Counseling specialization has become an MS in Mental Health Counseling. In the process of converting the specializations to programs, we established program outcomes for each counseling degree and created a new capstone course designed to assess the students' proficiency in achieving these outcomes. The number of credits to graduate remains the same, and with the exception of the capstone course, the content of all courses remain the same."
Capella's new counseling programs are:
- MS in Mental Health Counseling (CACREP-accredited)
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (CACREP-accredited)
- MS in School Counseling
- MS in Addiction Counseling
- MS in Counseling Studies
- PhD in Counseling Studies
Combined BS/MS in Information Technology Option Saves Students Time & Money
Qualified students enrolled in one of Capella's Bachelor of Science in Information Technology specializations will now have the option to reduce the time and cost of earning an MS in IT in the same specialization. Capella is one of few online universities offering a Combined BS/MS in Information Technology option.
BS in IT students with at least 100 credits and a 3.0 GPA can apply for the BS/MS in Information Technology option, which will allow them to take 12 credits of master's-level courses as part of their bachelor's program, and apply those same credits to an MS in IT in the corresponding specialization. This will shorten the completion time for the two degrees by 12 credits (one to two quarters) and reduce their combined cost by approximately $6500.
BS in Information Technology specializations that are eligible for the Combined BS/MS in Information Technology option include General Information Technology, Health Informatics, Information Assurance & Security, Network Technology, Project Management, and Software Architecture.
New MS in Leadership
Capella also announced a new Master of Science in Leadership. The new program was developed to help address the looming shortage of corporate leadership talent due to impending baby boomer retirements. In addition to completing online course work emphasizing the latest in leadership theory and practice, students enrolled in Capella's MS in Leadership receive the added benefit of one-to-one sessions with an executive coach at strategic points in the program. Capella has also revised its Leadership certificate program to incorporate some of the new courses developed for its MS in Leadership.
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for its new educational offerings. For more information, please call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552) or e-mail info@capella.edu.
Review of this specialization is pending in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, MN, ND, SC, VA, and WA.
Review of the new counseling degree programs is pending in AZ, FL, and ND.
State regulations vary regarding course requirements for professional licensure. For assistance with state-mandated course requirements for licensure, contact the designated school representative.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states.
Prior to enrollment in the MS in School Counseling, Washington state learners are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 360-725-6320 or profed@k12.wa.us to determine teacher certification or endorsement requirements, and contact their school district regarding qualifications for salary advancement.
Graduates of the MS in Mental Health Counseling and MS in Marriage and Family Therapy programs are not eligible for licensure in South Carolina. Learners residing in South Carolina should check with the state licensing agency for specific requirements for professional licensure.
About Capella University
Capella University (NASDAQ: CPLA – News)(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 122 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 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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