Capella University Reviews
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Capella University: Worked well for me
School recommended by
Michael Hyland
on
December 30, 2009
33/34 people found this review helpful
As a graduate of a prestigious brick and mortar university, I can say that Capella University has done extremely well by me. I have consistently found the support staff extremely helpful and friendly in all my workings with them. As a student using my MGIB benefits, the staff was extremely helpful in making sure all the paperwork was in order for the VA, which has been smooth thus far after a year into the program.
As a Master’s student within Capella University’s Clinical Psychology program, I can say that I have been very pleased with the program. I find the program extremely challenging, yet I am getting the confidence that it will prepare me well for a future within my specialty. For example, In addition to very challenging classes, students have to attend three colloquia’s, and accomplish over 600 hours of practicum.
As for the Psychology instructors, I have found them to be incredibly accomplished and diverse. (i.e. My current instructor is a licensed Clinical Psychologist for 30+ years of private practice, has a ton of published work, and has served as a mentor to students). For any course you take, there are usually a half dozen to a dozen instructors listed to teach it. If you take the time to read up on their bio’s and their published work, you will see how accomplished many of these instructors are.
When selecting this university, it is important to keep in mind what this university’s focus is. It is focused towards working adults who do not have the time or luxury to attend a traditional university campus. As a former active duty military guy and a current federal law enforcement officer, I can tell you that I would fully recommend this university to anyone. With a more than full time job and family life, I can say that Capella University worked perfectly for me in my life, without sacrificing any of the quality of the program.
If I had to offer up a single complaint, it would be that the PsyD program is not currently accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). They lost their accreditation when they moved their degrees from the PhD to the PsyD program. I am confident in the quality of the program at Capella and in time they rectified.
Learn More about Capella UniversityEnviable
School recommended by
Marcus Welch
on
September 06, 2009
29/31 people found this review helpful
Scholarship, rigor, accountability and quality are all appropriate in a review of Capella University. Certainly, an exuberant, unfettered personality like my own would be attracted to a university which affords flexibility and variation. The most glaring attraction for me would be the high level of scholarship expected by this institution and its faculty. CAPELLA IS NO JOKE. It's challenging. It's demanding. It's life-changing. It's faculty is both competent and caring. Whoever is responsible for the development of this university over time did it with intentionality and thoughtfulness. It is a true learner's candy store. I'm sure if Capella University were a movie, Siskel & Ebert would give it 2 thumbs up with an encore presentation.
The tools are there - it's what you make of them
School recommended by
Me
on
August 14, 2009
33/33 people found this review helpful
I am about a year from finishing my MS in General Psychology. I am not getting this degree to become licensed. I have had only positive experiences with this school. From the financial aid process, to the instructors, to the format, I really enjoy this school. It is not easy by any means, as there are weekly writing assignments plus several papers due each quarter. It has not been my experience that the professors grade leniently. My GPA is lower than what it was at a large brick and mortar school when I earned my BA. Do not listen to people who want to be negative about Capella or any other online universities. Just do your research and make your decision based on what is right for you and your family.
Very Impressed So Far!
School recommended by
Marylana
on
June 30, 2009
20/23 people found this review helpful
So far I have been really impressed with Capella. I'm taking my first class only, but find that they are very well organized. I don't feel so much that I am doing this all online, and am getting to 'know' the other people in my class through their posts. I am very busy, and appreciate the calls from Capella to remind me about appointments and paperwork due, for example. I do like the online format, as it enables me to study or check in at times that are convenient for me. When I was pursuing my undergrad, I would get Bs instead of As because of my attendance. I don't have to worry about that now!
Love it!
School recommended by
Mellisa
on
June 30, 2009
19/21 people found this review helpful
I love Capella University. I originally got accepted into the Social Work program at UW Tacoma, but my work hours wouldn't fit there schedule. I then was looking into City University, but the advisors there weren't so friendly, they think that you can only be a school counselor if you have been a teacher first. I then heard from a friend about capella. The staff are very helpful and friendly. The school cousneling program is new there and they are working on it getting CACREP accredited. There mental health cosuineling and marital and family counseling programs are CACREP accredited. The courses are tough, but I have probably learned more online then I did on my undergraduate work. They have a learner support team available 24/7 and financial aid staff available a majority of the time. I love this school and the program I am in. My program is 72 credits and includes two colloqias and practicum hours.
Capella PhD learner
School recommended by
Alice
on
April 02, 2009
25/26 people found this review helpful
As a busy administrator, mother and wife, I earned my BS and MS through an on line program at a brick and mortor school. I recieved a wonderful education. When I decided to return for a PhD, I searched for months to find a school that 'fit'. I found it at Capella. Capella provides PhD learners the opportunity to network with peers and faculty for three weeks during the doctoral classes, preparing students for the rigor of the comprehensives and emersing them in the culture of doctoral scholars. Once in the dissertation phase, the advisors are fully committed to support learners while completing the scholarly document. I made the choice to join a University that not only provides an excellent educational experience, but also provides every tool for success. Students who embark in on-line learning must remember that this educational environment requires self direction and self motivation. What do you recieve for your efforts? You reap what you put into it. I have recieved a relevant and applicable education and a sense of self pride that only is achievable through hard work and dedication.
Capella University Quality
School recommended by
Paul
on
January 22, 2009
48/55 people found this review helpful
I have found Capella to be a first class academic institution. I received my Masters in Science in Psychology from Capella after obtaining a BS from the University of Phoenix. Capella has proven, in my view, better in academics and student services and assistance than I ever received from UOP.
After getting my MS I began employment making the equivalent of 75K a year. I say the equivalent because I am only working part time. I could work for my employer full-time if I wanted to, but chose not to because I am now doing my PhD work at Capella and do not want to work full-time. I was also awarded a $5000.00 academic competitive scholarship from Capella as a Doctoral student.
In my view, those who complain like Greg are simply offering half baked stories about problems as an excuse for not being able to cut it as an independent learner who must take FULL responsibility for your education. The fact is, Capella is a great school with a great reputation (see: http://www.consumercompare.org/online_education/index.php?kw=1+gedx1+online%20university%20reviews&gclid=CMXEiq_ZopgCFQ6jagod40i4mQ)
As a student with a solid history of asynchronous learning experience I could not be happier with the decision to enroll at Capella. It is a fully accredited university with exceptional academic rigor and first-rate attentive staff dedicated to student needs.
Capella University Rip
School not recommended by
Greg
on
July 08, 2008
41/75 people found this review helpful
Capella University exists for one purpose – to make a lot of money. The instructors are substandard (one of mine bought degrees from a diploma mill and is still “teaching†at Capella years later). About 85 percent of Capella's "instructors" are part-time employees who are often completely absent from the classrooms - even if they do show up, all they do is follow canned scripts written by someone else. Forgot about real teaching and learning at Capella - classes are connect-the-dot experiences and real discussions are not permitted.
The United States Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General just found (March 2008) that Capella violated several Federal laws by failing to return Title IV funds, their Financial Aid Director was caught accepting kickbacks last year, many newspapers and other media sources found that Capella University was paying kickbacks to the University of California for referring students. Capella University also has a history of refusing to turn over student records required under other Federal laws – a judge just gave Capella ten days to turn over records a student has been trying to obtain for more than four years and Capella has again failed to provide those records as required under the timeline set by the judge.
If you want to buy an expensive but useless piece of paper, Capella is for you. If you want a real education, go somewhere else.
B.S. in Public Safety
School recommended by
Seema
on
June 24, 2008
16/17 people found this review helpful
I liked that they prepped me really well for where I was going to have to go to use the degree- lots of looking ahead. Not just learning for sake of learning (although that is good too), but they want you to be able to have knowlege that is valued in what you do. Didn't like how narrow the focus could be with some instructors- I realize that if they come from a facet of the occupation (ie legal aid) that they have a certain slant, but the students really need to stay open.
On the other hand, that is all part of the university environment- you need to be around opinionated people and it is not their responsiblity to be COMPLETELY unbiased. It didn't provide practical help in my career, but it definitely made sure that I had the education to be competitive. A lot of this is due to me finding outside interests that complimented it, but that was because of suggestions from or help from the instructors- volunteeering with Victim's Assistance in my community, for example. Also, instructors pointed out alot of the more minor aspects of my possibly applying to police force that I could choose to specialize in- and I really hadn't even thought that far ahead. Appreciated the foresight.
MBA General
School not recommended by
Theresa S
on
May 20, 2008
22/34 people found this review helpful
I graduated with my MBA August 2007. To be honest if I had start over again I would have not chosen Capella. I attended University of Phoenix on ground campus and although I did not care for UOP as much, I chose Capella based on emotions. I felt that the program is way expensive and even after I graduated I sought assistance from Career Center with my resume.
Capella does not have a strong Alum Association and I felt that once you graduate it would be nice that Alum has some sought of support. I enjoy most of the my learners and even nice to meet many of them face to face at graduation. The program is very good but I felt that if there a strong Alum association and further assistance with Alum this would be a great school to attend.
But if you are starting out as entry level in your career I would have rather attended local college in Atlanta. Now that I am pursuing additional courses in Accounting paid for by tuition assistance and not out of my pocket, I will not choose Capella.
Would I attend another online school probably so but I would attend a school that has traditional program at Brick and Mortar program with option of flexible schedule and cheaper.
Masters of Science in Oranization & Management
School recommended by
anonymous
on
March 07, 2008
16/17 people found this review helpful
I enjoyed the experience, good professors, and very flexible. People were involved and enthusiastic. The coursework ranged from simple to difficult, depending on the class. The WebCT software was adequate at best, this could have been better.
MBA (Accounting)
School recommended by
anonymous
on
March 07, 2008
37/41 people found this review helpful
I recently graduated from Capella University and got my MBA degree online. The time it takes to complete the MBA is pretty flexible, but I went without any breaks and graduated in 19 months. Overall I feel like the coursework and tests are only somewhat challenging, but quite time consuming. I say this because despite the "blackboard" which is the online posting community, you really do feel like you are somewhat on your own while attending.
I don't mean that my teachers weren't helpful, but without forced interaction with other students, "school" is quite different. Also, because I didn't have study groups like I would in traditional schooling, I tended to over study. Lets be honest though, the reason I chose this type of format was because I wanted to do school on my own schedule, finish ASAP and also because it was much less expensive than my alternatives.
There are some shortcomings in the online setting, but overall I feel like it was a predictable and polished experience. Also, if I was going to get another degree, I would most likely do it in the same fashion.
Masters in Human Services
School recommended by
Randi C.
on
February 25, 2008
38/43 people found this review helpful
As the military wife of a deployed soldier and mother of four, online education has provided me an opportunity for education that I would not otherwise have. I obtained my undergraduate degree the traditional way sitting in classrooms being lectured. But what my own life experience has taught me is that the struggle to juggle work, a family and school makes less traditional educational approaches the key to having the best of both worlds.
I walked into this alternative ill-prepared misguidedly believing that distance learning would be an easy way to earn the education I seek. There's nothing easy about online learning. To be successful you must have great time-management skills and the ability to direct yourself through the process. If I need about twenty hours per week to complete my course requirements, then it is my responsibility to budget that time just as I schedule time for everything else.
