Our Accreditation
University Accreditation — A Critical Credential
Accreditation is an important credential to look for when choosing a university. If you have credits to transfer, you want to make sure both universities are accredited and allow transfer of credits. Accreditation is also important for your degree to be recognized by employers and professional associations. Accreditation is an assurance to students and the public that an institution meets or exceeds standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
Capella University's Accreditation
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, 1.866.561.9754, www.capella.edu.
In 2000, Capella University became the first online academic institution to become a charter participant of the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) of the NCA. AQIP participants commit to a program of continuous quality improvement (CQI) similar to initiatives practiced in other industries.
AQIP provides an alternative model of accreditation maintenance with The Higher Learning Commission. Instead of the traditional 10-year review cycle, AQIP participants adhere to an ongoing annual review regimen. By participating in AQIP, Capella is required to analyze its operational processes and measure outcomes within each of nine different quality criteria, and to set ambitious performance goals, such as converting all its courses to an outcomes/competency-based model. Learn more about Capella's AQIP Portfolio.
Capella achieves important AQIP milestone. Learn more.
What Types of Accreditation are Available?
Regional accreditation agencies accredit public and private, non-profit and for-profit, and undergraduate and graduate institutions in the United States. Capella University has this type of accreditation.
Specialized and professional accrediting organizations recognize specific programs or schools such as law and business schools, or programs in counseling, educational administration, and teacher education. Examples:
- The BSN and MSN degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*. Accreditation by CCNE serves as a statement of good educational practice in the field of nursing. CCNE is a nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
- The American Counseling Association's Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited Capella's Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy programs in the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
- The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has accredited Capella's Professional Education Unit, which is made up of 14 advanced academic offerings that prepare individuals to serve in a variety of roles within the P–12 education environment.
- Capella's BS in IT degree program is accredited by ABET, the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. ABET accreditation is an important indicator of Capella's dedication to educational quality and the goal of preparing our graduates for entry or advancement in the IT profession.
National accrediting bodies accredit a wide variety of institutions, most frequently single-purpose institutions (e.g., flight schools), private career institutions, and religiously-affiliated colleges and universities.
CCNE Accreditation Review
The Capella University Department of Nursing is hosting an on-site evaluation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on April 11, 12, and 13, 2012.
The Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents, such as learners, alumni, faculty, employers, and the practice community, to provide written comments concerning the programs' compliance with accreditation standards. The standards for accreditation can be reviewed at the following website location: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation/pdf/standards09.pdf.
Written and signed third-party comments will be accepted by CCNE until March 12, 2012. CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the site visit. At no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program.
Send written and signed comments by March 12, 2012, to:
Cristina Walcott
Administrative Assistant
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
*The BSN and MSN degree programs at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.
Public Notification and Call for Comment – Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
In accordance with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) procedures for providing public notification, the Capella University Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Program (Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy) applied for and is seeking initial accreditation status from COAMFTE. The Self-Study was submitted to COAMFTE November 1, 2011.
The Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents, such as learners, alumni, faculty, site supervisors, employers and the practice community, to provide comments to COAMFTE. Comments should be directed to:
AAMFT
COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY EDUCATION
(COAMFTE)
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (703) 838-9808
Fax: (703) 838-9805
Website: www.aamft.org
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Learning & Career Outcomes
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