Capella University Comments

I did my homework before enrolling in the PhD program at Capella. I knew that Tier 1 and Tier 2 schools generally would not accept by Capella degree unless I published some major work, and became known as a profit center for them. I did/do expect to teach at a 2-year public school in Florida. One already made me an offer, but I had just bought a business, and declined. My degree is worth exactly what I expected, nothing more, nothing less.

Side note about all the negative comments--its easy to be disgruntled about any degree program at any level. Take criticisms with a grain of salt.

True: Capella has very low enrollment requirements-yes, I think this is a profit center--many people pay a bunch of money, and then can't cut it and drop out.

False: Capella is easy and/or money will keep you in-its HARD!!!

Seton Hall's Financial Aid Office sucks.  They are so disorganized and unprofessional.  I would never recommend anyone to this institution.  They are overly expensive and they don't take care of their students once they are accepted to the institution.  FRAUDS!

I am currently working on my PhD dissertation in Counseling at Capella University.  I have never worked so hard in my life. I obtained my BA and MA at traditional universities that graduate monkeys so long as they attend class and hand in mediocre papers.  At Capella, you are forced to prove that you have mastered the material in order to complete assignments.  Capella courses require that you obtain, read, analyze, and report on multitudes of peer reviewed research.  Only those who work very hard with dedication, motivation, ambition, and intelligence will complete the PhD at this university.

Well, there is a lot of information out there.  You have to pick and choose.  Some will work for some, but others it will not.  You get what you get out of an education.  I echo people who don't trust this "frank cleary" guy, but also think some schools are good. Just be ware of scammers and people sending you links to get into places without application fees.  That's how frank cleary tricked me.

I think when people refer to themselves as "learners" and not "students" is humorous.  Learners is a term coined by the for-profits to make the customers feel like they are not simply buying a degree.

I am a current student at Capella.  I absolutely love the class set up and have learned a great deal from my classes.  Unfortunately, the financial aid department is horrific.  They have people answering the phones who do just that.  They have no understanding of financial aid.  The department takes their time, gives horrible customer service, lies, lies and lies.  I am beginning to think that Capella outsources their financial aid processing, hence that is why the office has no understanding of financial aid.  
Even though I love the rest of the school, due to the treatment and lies that I have experienced with the financial aid office, I will be switching schools.  

I am a PhD learner with Capella in my second term and will say it is definitely a challenge and intrinsically rewarding. Furthermore, I can tell you that you get out of the program what you put into it. The online environment is much more rigid and intense than any traditional university. This is the epitome of the educational experience; the upper tiers of Bloom's Taxonomy at work. 

Capella does not care about its students. When I received my degree certificate it is very poor quality. This school is a joke!

The school is not a joke.  Capella does care about their students.  Just because your degree was of poor quality you think the school is a joke.  Did you learn anything from your classes?  That's what is important. You know all colleges and universities have issues.  I love Capella and I have learned so much and I am proud.  Get over yourself!!! Maybe you should have went to a boring brick and mortar.  Sit in a traditional classroom and be bored out of your mind. Stop complaining.

Hello, I'm reading the comments and most seem to be okay, but is there someone that can comment on their experiences with financial aid, I have read some horror stories, that I couldn't believe. I'm going for my Bachelors degree in BUS. ADMIN. is there someone that can comment on this, and if you like it so far? I'm really not sure if I want to sign-up, I'm trying to qualify for the California Grants and I will loose this if I go to an out-of-state school. All comments are welcomed. Thanks

I am currently a learner at Capella and it is going down hill. The current professor I have gives generic feedback and will not elaborate. This is common especially among the female professors. I have an inference and an outright accusation of not using my citations right but in using the program that Capella provides, I check out fine. I do not plaigarize. I am beginning to wonder where they get some of the crackpot professors and even the financial aid office has gone down hill. No one can agree on the same thing in financial aid for answers. They sent back my scholarship money. I asked why? They said, it is too much and we are not allowed to accept it. So, I contact the place that gave me the scholarship money and they said, "this is the first school that has not allowed the student to use the scholarship money and sent it back and then said it was too much and then turned around and billed the student." It is getting pretty nasty at Capella. People are rude and tech support is nasty if they get caught with a problem such as broken links. They are so willing to toss all the issues on us and I am willing to take the blame for what I am guilty of but I refuse to be their scapegoat. Think hard before you sign on with Capella. 

You can't just a generic APA program for your cites and references and rely solely on that.  You have to actually pick up the APA 6th edition manual, comb through it and reference it properly.  I use Bookends software for APA for assistance - mainly, to make things easier, but I always double-check my cites and references - this is scholarly practice. 

I'm sorry but I have never had any problems with professors or the financial aid office.  Maybe it is you that is the problem. Honestly, I love Capella and proud to be an alumni. Capella is fine.  All universities or colleges have issues. Nothing is perfect. Sorry for all of your problems. No one said on line education is easy. 

Thus far Capella has been good to me. The work is not easy and if a student does not keep up with assignments ....well look in the mirror to find fault. Advisor's are always available and the library is huge to resource materials. I hold an associates, bachelors, masters as well as doctoral degrees from Brick and Mortar institutions, this is my first on line experience. The level of learning is no different then watching a professor teach by power point. The only true difference is convenience. No more gas to the school parking lot to watch a power point presentation, I can do it at home with a cup of joe

Worst school I have ever attended. There are some good for profits and this isn't one of them. If you have a problem you are stuck in cyberspace and you become the issue. RUN!

You are ridiculous.  Just because something did not do your way you bash the university. I have had the best experience with Capella.  There is nor perfect school out there.  They all have issues.  Remember nothing is perfect but GOD!!

When I first started Capella I was elated b/c I could work full-time and go to school full-time.  I am in my final year, the only thing holding me back is completing my practicum and internship.  I have been in Capella since July of 2008 and I have over $40k in financial aid debt (at 7% interest, thanks Sallie Mae). I knew Capella was the most expensive but b/c it is online I figured it was a sacrifice I had to make.  However, now that I am finishing up with my classes I feel abandoned by Capella b/c NO ONE seems to want to help me find my internship or even offer suggestions about practicum sites in my area.  I understand the tedious process of finding an internship but b/c Capella is online and not regional I have had MAJOR trouble finding one and when I did Capella needed a contract with my site.  The contract is currently being revised and will take 2 weeks to finish but my application deadline is 2.21.2011!!!  When I talk to the fieldwork office they give me generic answers that do me no good.  My advisor simply told me that she had no idea about field placement and referred me back to the field placement office but nothing...Now that I have invested over 2 years of my life and have racked up over $40k in debt I am struggling to find an internship site and Capella is NO, I mean NO help!!  I guess that makes sense since they already have my money.  I don't know what to do b/c I cannot go to another university to complete my degree.  Before this experience I loved Capella but now I really question their integrity.  I CAUTION ALL APPLICANTS TO REALLY THINK HARD ABOUT THEIR DECISION TO ENROLL IN CAPELLA B/C IT SEEMS THAT ONCE THEY GET YOUR MONEY AND SUCKER YOU IN TO A PROGRAM THEY BOUNCE AND LEAVE YOU TO FEND FOR YOURSELF!!!!

Can I be of assistance.  Capella is a great school. I have to do my internship and my counselor helped me.  Remember, the school is an on line school.  You are responsible for finding your own internship.  I had to do my own leg work to set everything up.  I think they are saying we are adults and we have to be responsible to work and do for ourselves.  Since the office is in one remote place they do not have the access to have relationships with different businesses, schools etc. to set up internships.  Remember this school is nationwide so it was my responsibility to find a professional in my field of work to help me complete my practicum.  I think that is fair.  We are not little kids out of high school entering college that need them to hold our hands.  Give me a break!!! You are fine. My financial aid is about the same but that was the best investment I have made.  I am proud of it.You need to stick with Capella because you are almost done.  Why quit when you are so close.  The current job I work at is horrible management id horrific they should not be in their position.  So there are issues every where.  Contact people you know in the field and see if you can intern there.  You should have been working in an environment where you could do the internship to make it easy on you.  See I am an Early education Major and I work in a child care facility.  I will be doing my practicum at my job site.  I had to locate a site director to come in and observe me during my ten weeks. My director did not qualify because she does not have an education degree. My proposed site director is a principal of an elementary school.  But I know tons of people in the field which helped me.  You need to get out there and search.  Make calls, please do not give up.

Walden University are not as fair as they pretend to be. I was a 3.55 student. One professor, rather than working with me to pass a class about diseasese gave me an "f" and the Head of the department of Health sciences deneid my appeal for a review of all my work and a change of my grade from an "F' to a "C' So I went from a 3.55 GPA student to flunking a class and the head of the department denying my appeal. WHAT KIND OF SCAM SCHOOL IS WALDEN UNIVERSITY, THEY GOT MY STUDENT LOAN MONEY FOR THE COURSE AND I GOT NOTHING BUT AN "F:?

Are you trying to "buy" your grades? You get what you earn, and it shouldn't matter where your funds come from. I applaud Walden for standing their ground. Walden is for profit, and to keep "customers" aka students happy, they could have just caved into your whining. Instead, they took an academic stance and said NO to you. I'd like to see more for profit colleges follow their lead. Then maybe they would be taken seriously as actual academic institutions instead of diploma mils... So... yes, they took your money and you earned an 'F'. Just like any university would if you failed the class. These kind of comments tick me off. Whether or not it's online or has a campus, you can't buy your degree.

It's interesting to spend a little time reading how far online/distance learning has come since the comments began being posted in 2006.  Quite a few comments in between were from a single individual who also was successfully sued by Capella, and subsequently forced to cease and desist...simply because Capella was kind enough to provide him with an opportunity and he was not able to "hack it".  I have just graduated with a Capella PhD in O&M, IT Management.  The economy is rough, jobs are scarce, and I'm putting my wife through her educational process at the moment so it hasn't paid off yet...but it's only been 3.5 months since commencement.  I can say this...Capella was extremely difficult.  School never came easy for me personally, but I can certainly say I've earned my education.  Nothing anyone can say on a tiny little corner of the internet on a message board can take that experience away.  I'd say the most important thing is this: if you attempt to earn a PhD to impress your friends and show off, then you'd likely be just as disappointed in a Capella degree as you would any other.  However, if you intend to use what you learn at Capella to help others and to assist in other's understanding...then you've come to the right place.  It's not just the degree, it's what you do with it that really counts.

I completely agree. I graduated from Capella in August 2009 with my Master's in Post Secondary and Adult Education.  I absolutely loved my learning experience from Capella! I got a job teaching full time one year after graduating! I'm working on my Doctorate now, but not through Capella.  They are not offering what I want right now.  Attending another online school previously mentioned and I cannot say that I have had any problems at this point. I concur that it is the person the majority of the time and not the institution.

I want to say this to all the B.S that is going on in this board, Capella or UoP are not good schools, I tried brick and mortar even online and to me it they both have there ups and downs,times are changing and so many schools are offering online classes, why? its about money, enrollment is down and they have to increase it to fill their pockets, lets face it people the old days of brick and mortar will slowly loosing its pep, Colleges like any other company downsize and put all of its stock in to online and pocket more money, when I look at Bill Gates or the young man who created facebook, they 're both wealthy, who both drop out of college and I'm not saying drop out of school, what I am telling you is stop listening to all of the stupid negative comments posted here, do your own research and the only way you are going to find out is its up to you. Let me ask you this, if this negative person jump off a bridge will you follow them, also there are some people who are the manager of the Human Resource Department and might look down on a online degree but remember this, someone looking over there shoulders trying to replace them, because its out with the old and in with the new, so again get real online school is here and growing, Ceo's, Presidents of major companys are either teaching online or attending and that when your networking skills come in, I will take classes online again and to all  haters on this board get real before you get left.

This is absurd. The reality is that traditional schools are a thing of the past. All major universities are moving in this direction. I received my first PhD from a brick and mortar (Kent State) and it was, quite frankly, a joke. My own faculty adviser and dissertation chair asked the candidates to grade themselves. Whatever we said is the grade he gave us. So let's not hang on to your old fantasies of classroom supremacy. The fact is that you were used by the university to teach their garbage undergraduate courses and gopher for the department head's research staff. I will complete my dissertation at Capella summer 2011 and it was twice as challenging as that of Kent State's. I am guessing the same goes for many of your schools as well. One suggestion for you, hang on tight to your bull, your prestige is collapsing all around you

Allegheny College of MD?  The two year Community College?  Community colleges do not even require a doctorate to teach or lead.  And any school that lets you be on tenure before you even have a doctorate is as much of a joke as Capella.  Your arguments are really low.  Capella is laughed at because you did nothing to get in, zero admissions requirements!  Also, you just have to keep paying to stay in.  No incentive to let you out really, and the faculty at Capella is not known for anything.  Why on earth would you want a doctorate where you know your advisor is worthless no matter who you get?

I am shocked by these ridiculous blanket statements of how "worthless" the Capella Ph.D. program is!  The Vice President at Allegheny College of Maryland is a Capella Ph.D. (in education) graduate.  I am a tenure-track professor/librarian at a state university in Pennsylvania, and I am currently finishing my doctoral dissertation in education for my Ph.D. program at Capella.  I should have my degree within a couple months.  One of the positions of dean at our university was offered to a Capella doctoral grad. a few years ago.  He declined, because he was provided an even better offer elsewhere!  

I think there may be a certain stigma for any non-trad program among tenure-track, traditional "professor" positions in higher ed., but that hardly makes a degree worthless.  Furthermore, that stigma doesn't apply everywhere or in every field.  I laugh at the individual who made a comment about taking the degree to a "world-renowned" university.  Good grief.  You're lucky to get into a world-renowned university with a degree from anywhere!  I'm happy working at a state university in a tenure-track position, thanks very much.

I agree with you.  I am almost done with my degree in March 2012.  I have had a wonderful experience and learned so much from my program. It's what you do with the knowledge you have gained.  Forget about the money and all of that other stuff right?  I am so tired of hearing these crazy people talk about Capella.  Some of the professors graduated from good brick and mortar colleges. I did not want to go to a traditional school sitting in a classroom for hours.  I am in my 40+ and I am past that stage. These people just complain about stupid stuff it is ridiculous!!!!

I am tired of reading how great students are at capella. I did not pursue my education because of what i think students can achieve online. Learning comes through the environment in which class is delivered and the prefer method in which one learns. One can learn and master skills online but is it enough? studies have not been done concluding that online schooling is as effective as actually experiencing a classroom environment and online coursees. some schools offer both; classes online and the classroom experience which gives individuals flexibility while getting exposure to other than online 'social interaction'. 
Unfortunately, i have met individuals who are 'smart' and who pursued their education online yet what i have noticed is that they have a difficult time working in teams and seeing or accepting diversity in perspectives from colleagues; self centered syndrome.  As we know most organizations embrace the 'teamwork' concept and the ability to work together/collaborative  and these individuals who are new (teamwork)  usually have an issue adjusting to such environments.  Again, they are many variables that have not been measured to differentiate such differences between both.  a student from capella is not going to bash the institution or the  quality of education being received especially when paying $2000 per class(due to the $$$ and personal investment) one would compared this analogy to that of buying a $200 shirt, as it may actually be crappy/cheap but  not to the buyer; denial..

nothing against students at capella. education online is a new way to get ahead and for many the only way to pursue an education and everyone deserve such, yet it  will never replace traditional classrooms!

I do not like your post because it is not true.  I am a very good team player.  i am 40+ and I have been in the world long enough to know how to be a team player.  I prefer an on line school it is great for me since I am a mother, wife and work full time. I am a great team player at work, school and home. I prefer flexibility in my life.  Everyone is different.  I am a proud Capella student.  I have a 4.0 and I am smart.  I am very confident in my work. Get a life!!! Traditional school now have on-line classes!   

I can't speak for Capella, but I didn't learn anything at University of Phoenix or Western International University. I have a coworker who is getting an information systems degree from UoP and I know more about computers than he does. All he does is write papers on irrelevant topics. Local, for-profit career schools often use out of date textbooks and old computer platforms and software applications because, instead of reinvesting the money into the school, they just put it in their pockets. 

But I agree, financial aid departments are a horror to deal with even at traditional schools. Central Texas College (a community college that specializes in distance education and serving the military worldwide) is, so far, the easiest school I have dealt with. 

Traditional schools WERE losing students until they caught on about serving non-traditional students. Community colleges across the country are becoming overcrowded on campus and in their distance learning programs. The only thing is that most of them don't have rolling enrollment, but I have found some that do.

Just a note.  I am a professor at a State Univeristy that is very well known and has a wonderful reputation.  Many of the issues with online education are also issues with traditional universities.  Financial Aid is a nightmare everywhere.  Also had to laugh at the comment on just a piece of paper.  Because in reality that is all it is a piece of paper.  People get jobs based on that they have that paper, experience, references and who you know. A hiring manager will hire someone with good references and experience long before someone with just a degree. 

Traditional institutions no longer teach what is necessary for the current technology based organizations.  They teach theory.  Many times the only way to get hands on experience is to go to a more non traditional school.  I know I have students that would learn more real world technology from Capella and other institutions like them than they are learning here. 

Large University systems cannot keep up.  They never have been able to.  The big non profit colleges and universities need to wake up.  It is no longer a privilage to go to them, but a privilage for them to have us as customers.  Enrollment at the Universities are declining, and they wonder why.  We have choices and are taking them.  I am getting a second PhD from Capella just for that reason.  I could go free where I work but choose to go somewhere that I will actually learn something I can use.

Obviously, this is just the South, so just imagine how many non-profit schools across the country offer online courses and/or programs.

Even more traditional schools with online courses and/or programs.

Texas
Alvin Community College
Amberton University
Central Texas College
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas TeleCollege
Grayson County College
Lamar University
Midwestern State University
Northwest Vista College
Odessa College
Palo Alto College
Panola College
Prairie View A&M University
Sam Houston State University
St. Philip's College
Stephen F. Austin State University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University, College Station
Texas A&M University, Commerce
Texas A&M University, Kingsville
Texas Wesleyan University
University of Houston, Clear Lake
University of Houston, Victoria
University of North Texas
University of Texas, Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
University of Texas, Dallas
University of Texas, El Paso
University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston
University of Texas, Permian Basin
University of Texas, San Antonio
Wayland Baptist University
West Texas A & M University
Western Texas College

Virginia
Blue Ridge Community College, Virginia
Central Virginia Community College
Dabney Lancaster Community College
Danville Community College
Eastern Shore Community College
Germanna Community College
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
John Tyler Community College
Longwood University
Lord Fairfax Community College
Mountain Empire Community College
New River Community College (Virginia)
Northern Virginia Community College
Old Dominion University
Patrick Henry Community College
Paul D. Camp Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Rappahannock Community College
Southside Virginia Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College
Thomas Nelson Community College
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Highlands Community College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Virginia Western Community College
Wytheville Community College

West Virginia
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (West Virginia)
Bluefield State College (West Virginia)
Bridgemont Community & Technical College (previously Community & Technical College at WVU Tech)
Concord University
Eastern WV Community and Technical College
Fairmont State University
Marshall University
Mountwest Community & Technical College
West Liberty University
West Virginia Northern Community College
West Virginia University
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
West Virginia University Institute of Technology

More traditional schools with online courses and/or programs.

Louisiana
Baton Rouge Community College
Bossier Parish Community College
CALL
Delgado Community College
Grambling State University
Louisiana State University and A & M College
Louisiana State University, Alexandria
Louisiana State University, Eunice
Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
Louisiana State University, Shreveport
Louisiana Tech University
McNeese State University
Nicholls State University
Northwestern State University
Nunez Community College
River Parishes Community College
South Louisiana Community College
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southern University and A&M College
Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at Shreveport
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of New Orleans

Maryland
Anne Arundel Community College
Capitol College
College of Southern Maryland
Morgan State University
Towson University
University of Baltimore
University of Maryland Baltimore
University of Maryland Baltimore County

Mississippi
Alcorn State University, Natchez Campus
Coahoma Community College
Mississippi State University
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi Valley State University
University of Southern Mississippi

North Carolina
Alamance Community College
Central Carolina Community College
Cleveland Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College, NC
Durham Technical Community College
East Carolina University
Elizabeth City State University
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Haywood Community College
North Carolina State University
Pitt Community College
Randolph Community College
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
University of North Carolina, Pembroke
Western Carolina University

Oklahoma
Cameron University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
Rogers State University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Central Oklahoma

South Carolina
Clemson University
Limestone College
Medical University of South Carolina
Piedmont Technical College
University of South Carolina, Aiken
University of South Carolina, Columbia
University of South Carolina, Upstate
York Technical College

Tennessee
Austin Peay State University
East Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Pellissippi State Community College
Tennessee Regents Online Degree Programs
Tennessee State University
Tennessee Technological University
The University of Memphis
University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Tennessee, Martin
University of Tennessee, Space Institute

All of these tradition schools offer online degree courses and/or programs.

Alabama
Amridge University
Auburn University
Calhoun Community College
Enterprise State Community College
Jacksonville State University (Alabama)
Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Troy University
Troy University, Montgomery Campus
United States Sports Academy
University of Alabama
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of Alabama, Huntsville
University of North Alabama

Arkansas
Arkansas State University, Beebe
Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
Arkansas State University, Mountain Home
Arkansas State University, Newport
Arkansas Tech University
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
East Arkansas Community College
Henderson State University
North Arkansas College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Ozarka College
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Pulaski Technical College
Southeast Arkansas College
Southern Arkansas University
Southern Arkansas University Tech
University of Arkansas, Community College Hope
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of Arkansas, Fort Smith
University of Arkansas, Little Rock
University of Arkansas, Monticello
University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff
University of Central Arkansas

Delaware
Delaware Technical & Community College
University of Delaware

Florida
Brevard Community College
Broward College
Daytona State College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State University
Gulf Coast Community College
Indian River State College
Northwest Florida State College
Nova Southeastern University
Palm Beach Community College
Pensacola Junior College
Saint Leo University
Santa Fe College
St. Johns River Community College
St. Petersburg College
Tallahassee Community College
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of South Florida
University of West Florida

Georgia
Albany State University
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Brenau University
Columbus State University
Darton College
Georgia College & State University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia State University
Georgia Virtual Technical College
Gwinnett Technical College
Kennesaw State University
Middle Georgia College
North Georgia College & State University
Southern Polytechnic State University
Southwest Georgia Technical College
University of Georgia
University of West Georgia
Valdosta State University

Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Midway College
Morehead State University
Murray State University, Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University

HA HA, just add the ww w to the link.

forbes.com/2010/08/01/higher-education-student-debt-opinions-best-colleges-10-harkin.html

I was "helped" over the phone by a Frank Cleary from Houston.  He messed up my application, failed to fax it correctly.  Don't trust the Houston office if you speak to this creep.

It's interesting to see all the negativity towards online learning. I am pursuing my Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. The state licensure board prefers that students attend a C.A.C.R.E.P.-accredited program, but there are none in my state (go figure.) So the only option is online learning (Capella or Walden.) I don't understand how these programs can be so bad if they are regionally and nationally accredited? I attended a brick-and-mortar school for my Bachelor's, but am looking forward to the flexibility of online learning.

I received my Ph.D. from Walden back in 1994 when there were only a handful of non-traditional programs.  I was a full-time working adult at the time and did not have many options. There were many people back then who criticized me for choosing the school I attended and claimed the degree would never amount to anything.  However, I am currently a University administrator making a comfortable six figure salary and, more importantly, enjoy every moment of my work.   It was not given to me.  I had to earn it and put in the time and effort--just like anything else.  I am not that familiar with Capella, but regardless of the school you choose to attend--it is what you make of it.  Gone are the days where simply attending an institution because of its name will get you anywhere.  Its all about the effort, passion, and commitment.  That is the difference between those who succeed and those who do not.  You can take that to the bank or continue to insist that you will get somewhere solely based on the school you attended.

Don't waste your money. It's a 
sales pitch... and nothing else 
in a declining economy. 

You would be better off taking
classes part-time at a local
university towards a REAL MBA.

Been there,done that. Seriously. 

Capella is a business. (for profit)

WAKE UP PEOPLE. The only place
an MBA from Capella would stand up
is in a small U.S. town where 
everyone else has a high school
education.

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

P.S. It would also help if your
uncle owns the company.

I went to Capella University for 2 quarters...it was a positive experience but I did not feel challenged at all. It was easy As, tough the instructors are real life professional, it seemed that they didn't care much about grading. I was in their PhD Organization Management and was really disappointed with how easy it was. I transferred to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and now i'm being challenged everyday and I love it!

If you post a comment with a statistic you need to provide the source.  Maybe at your school they did not teach that?

I had a really bad experience there. After attending community college, private, public, for-profit and online schools the caliber of their program was the worst I have ever experienced. This was pervasive throughout the program in terms of the faculty, curriculum,internal communications, administration, policy and procedures, reputation and lack of consistency. There is no real due process and some of their issues have to do with the online setting but many of them are just systemic to the university. Go ground if at all possible so that when you need to knock on a door someone has to address your concerns. The biggest issue here is that if you don't have a problem people can get through fairly easily with an expensive degree that is much harder to market especially as it doesn't stack up against other places in this economic environment. If you don't like what they are doing don't tell them about your issue as your life will become hell in a rapid hurry. They are known for throwing their students, faculty (adjunct or otherwise and their administration under the bus when they have made a mistake. They will do about anything to protect their liability and you want to attend a university that is ethical and interested in your success and positive experience. Not all for profit schools are this way but if you have some face to face contact you will by virtue of interpersonal psychology will become a real person and harder to trash and abuse. I wish with all my heart I had never attended there. I have not had a bad experience before or since attending there. If you don't like it much get out and go where you have a good feeling. Hopefully they have improved some aspects of their learning formats but my guess is they have just gotten better at their canned publicity.

You get what you put in wraps it up.
I have seen negative students from both worlds.
The for-profits issue is something I will have to overcome though.
I am attending a Capella PH.d program right now.

This school has the worst reputation.  Seriously, how can you be proud to get a degree from this school?

Where did you see any UoP being ranked #2?  They do not even get ranked.  They are worthless just like all the other for-profits.

columbiasouthern.edu/aboutcsu/faculty/
usclancaster.sc.edu/faculty/index.html
riosalado.edu/community/faculty_staff/Pages/faculty.aspx
utexas.edu/ce/pdc/instructors/mac_mcguire/
uncp.edu/catalog/html/faculty.htm
catalog.mansfield.edu/content.php?catoid=12&navoid=250
spirit.gmu.edu/archives/fall03/transitions.html

I did a google search to find out where some graduates of Capella phd programs work in colleges and universities.  I found the following:
hssu.edu/deptdocs/36/ABSBA_Faculty_and_Staff_2.23.09.pdf.
viterbo.edu/catalog.aspx?id=1292
mcgregor.edu/faculty/vcook/
apu.edu/education/faculty/scochrane/
albertus.edu/masters-degrees/business-administration/mba-faculty.html
aurora.edu/academics/programs-majors/undergraduate/social-work/donette-considine.html
avila.edu/gradpsych/faculty.asp
dsu.edu/msis/msis-faculty.aspx

I think this validates that a strong published history and hard work are the keys to success.

I graduated from a traditional B&M with an undergraduate in computer information systems.  I attended undergrad on a full paid presidential scholarship.  I also have a master of science in information systems from Keller (DeVry  in Phoenix AZ)(I went to DeVry for convenience and I wanted a degree fast, but I only had 1 online class.  I don't have a problem with the degree, but people's perception makes me wish I went to Arizona State instead). I also have 8 years of IT experience. Last year I accepted a full-time job at a community college teaching computer classes. 

I teach online and traditional classes.  It is my opionion that the online students have to put more into their learning because the delay time in me responding to questions and I am not as accessible to them as I am to the class students.  But those who do well in the online environment would do equally well in the tradional class.  Also I am able to share more with the class students as far as my experiences, short cuts and real word applications.  Online students receive basically what is in the book unless they make an appointment to meet with me or attend a traditional class (which rarely happens). 

In order to advance, I need a doctorate degree.  Although I have no background in education, I applied and was accepted into a traditional doctoral program in educational leadership policy and law at Alabama State University. The program is geared for working adults with 9 hours per semester at nights and weekends (it is a 1 hour commute for me). I enjoy the program and the concepts can be applied to business.  It is not hard, but it is a lot of work and time consuming.

I recently found Dakota State University offers an online doctorate of science in information systems and I am seriously considering this program and simultaneously complete the doctorate in education while continuing to work full time.  The faculty vitaes are posted on the site and several are graduates of Capella. I am hoping to get a position at Troy University once I complete the doctorate at DSU.

I hope this helps someone and comments are welcome.

I am presently teaching at secondary level.  I would like to move on to a community college and/or online teaching.  I have just recently enrolled at an online college for the "Instructional Design for Online Learners" program at Capella. I am concerned as to whether or not this Master's Degree program will be accepted in order to teach at a Community College and/or online teaching.  I saw a site that didn't list Capella in the top ten for Distant Learning.  U of Phoenix was ranked in the top 2.  What is the difference?

Anyone graduate?

I'm amazed at some of the comments. I'm President/CEO of my family's business that has been in operation for 30 years. A traditional or online degree doesn't matter in my opinion but I cannot speak for others. I would think, as an employer, that an online degree proves self-discipline, i.e. you are in control of your education, wherease in a traditional setting attendance is mandatory. My father started our company because he couldn't find a job; he had a degree from one of the top schools. When I look to hire an employee, I look at all qualities not the school he/she attended. If "Hiring Manager" would pass someone's resume because of a school, he/she would be in the job search. Contrary to popular opinion, most employers are looking for someone with real life skills in addition to education.

I tried Capella for its 'flexibility' and was not happy to find myself roped into teams which insisted on restrictive hours for web meetings. This defeated the purpose I selected online school. I withdrew after 1.5 years and now I'm 10K deeper in debt. I would have been better off had I chosen night school at the local community college.

I have a PhD from Capella and was more than satisfied with the quality of education and support the University provided. I both consult to Government agency senior executives and teach at George Mason University and have never had my degree's respectability called into question. It's really the individual, not the institution from where the degree is conferred, that distinguishes the slugs from the stars. While an online education is not for everyone, I encourage working executives to consider its benefits and highly recommend Capella's program.

Satisfied PhD student, it is good to know you are 'completed satisfied' with your doctorate level education.

My experience was not as great. Yes, the papers where many pages long, but divided up with team mates so not any one of us did a full 20+ pages. Often teams would get into fights or scheduling conflicts which completely defeated the purposes of my joining in the first place. Maybe I just had bad luck, but after 1 year and $13,000 more debt I decided I would be better to save that money every year and get some technical certifications.

My sister is in PhD fellowship program at traditional university. It was after careful review of her experience and many others that, for the money, I began to feel short changed.

To all, please consider carefully where you wish to spend that kind of money! Give Capella a chance but know you will have to fight more to defend yourself in academia and corporate America. 

That is a fact.

Hiring Manager, I am not sure how you got the position, but I surely wouldn't want you staffing my company. 

First of all, Capella University is well respected by many so-called "top-tier" and Ivy League universities.  BTW, top-tier has more to do with the monies received for research than quality of education; just as Ivy League has more to do with the quality of the sports program than of education. Second, the programs are rigorous. 

At Capella, as with other traditional and online universities, you are responsible for your time management, reading the assignments, and actively participating in discussion forums through posting substantive scholarly responses to the prompts--meaning you must be able to synthesize content and extend or connect the content into other applicable areas--without the aid of a live instructor.  Also, the culmination of a course is generally a 15-20 page scholarly research paper, excluding title page, reference sheet, abstract, and table of content. In other words, you have 15-20 pages of subject-related, substantive, research content.

When Capella contacted me, I was not pressured into anything and my Enrollment rep made the process very easy.  Since then, I have "met" some wonderful students and professors. My Advisor consults with me quarterly.  We discuss my progress and plans for the upcoming quarter.  The folks in Financial Aid are always very helpful.  I am completed satisfied with my experience and have recommended Capella to others considering an online degree.  

One more thing, many of the mentors, Capella alumni, hold high-level positions in education, corporate and government settings. This, as well, speaks volumes of Capella's reputation.

First off I agree with Mr Satisfied PHD student as to his comments regarding the hiring manager. I have real world experience in IT Security Projects etc and most people you do NOT see in a given day for a myriad of reasons. 
In most cases you never do see who you are working with in a given day with people outside of your group and sure it is great to have a meeting but not always possible so I would not have him as my hiring manager either. Logically an online degree brings more challenges to being able to effectively communicate with their on-line class. Sorry I do not buy this bunk.. Mr Phd great discussion and I am looking at Capella IA Bachelors degree program..

I will not hire anyone with an online degree. A solid program at a real university will simulate problem solving skills in a group which is necessary for our company. An online degree may claim to do such a thing but it is still a singular experience with limited communication with others.

I am looking for some real feedback on Capella’s IT info assurance PhD program.  Has anyone received this particular degree or know of someone who has?  I am active duty military and the traditional classroom option is not available for me.

When I started reading on this site it was with hopes to pursue an online MA degree in clinical psych, for no other reason than because I work as a HS teacher full time, I am a mother of small children and live an hour or more from any potential program.  Reading the blogs has been disheartening at best, it is not that I believe the crap that online education is sub par, or care that it is for profit, they all are for one reason or another. The issue for me is, should I complete the program, I would run into the prejudice and ignorance of people in the field and that that would hinder my job placement.  That emotion being expressed I have two questions:

  1.  Are there Universities that have even a partial online MA Clinical Psych program?
  2.  Can I work with the credits of say Capella/Walden or another I researched Argosy (that also was bashed on this site on another page and it is apa approved for its doctorate program-go figure) and then transfer to another program in a B/M school for completion?

Please only serious and helpful answers, my time is valuable. He he (or hee haw), attention fools or any aliases of the same need not respond, I've had my fill of high school brand blogs... 

PS. I tried to read the entire thread, but I have to admit I got lost somewhere in the middle, so forgive me if this has been answered already..

You'd be amazed at how challenging the MBA program really is.  Definitely worth the money and effort if you cannot attend school in-person.  Since technology is moving at such a fast pace, it will become normal for most professionals to have both experience and education because with online schools you can attend college full time while working full time.  I have my BS from NCA&T and work full time.  The MBA program is great and my company fully supports my coursework.  I've been able to apply what I've learned to a few development projects.  I've also visited the headquarters downtown of Capella and met with some of the staff.  It is an excellent school and program.

Hello everyone. I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's.
I am from Sierra and bad know English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "And anti allergic properties, explaining the benefit claimed.Nti allergic effects of lycopus lucidus on mast cell mediated allergy model."

With best wishes ;), Freeman.

I read all of the comments, and it is unbelievable the amount of narrow-mined and mean-spirited people on this site. I have never seen so many simplistic arguments from supposed top tier college graduates. Unbelievable!

I agree with those who suggest people choose a particular delivery system based on their lifestyle needs--not because they are lazy, looking for a shortcut or could not cut it at a traditional school. For instance, I have been researching Capella's PHD program for a few years. Due to the stigma associated with Capella, I have hesitated but not ruled it out.

Currently, I am in a graduated program at USC that is ranked 8 in the country. The University is ranked 27. I chose the school because of its reputation and networking possibilities. Most important, I wanted to be mentored by  well-known professors. I wanted to fast track my career and felt the "brand" would be the answer. I was wrong. 

I am in my late thirties, now, and sitting in class with students in their early twenties who have limited life and work experiences has been a negative. I often wonder who some of the students get accepted. Many lack analytical and writing skills. The teachers have not been approachable outside of class. Some days, I am at school for 12 years, and I drive 100 miles round trip. I have a wife and a 3-year-old. Most disappointing the program has not been stimulating. Finally, my wife is in the military and we move often, so I have additional pressure to finish the degree before we relocate. 

While in undergrad, I graduated with academic distinction, magna cum laude, and made the Dean's list a couple of times. I completed my master with a 3.8. g.p.a. and received other academic awards. I have attended Rutgers, Arizona State and the University of Rhode Island. 

I could attend and complete any the top school but only if it fits my lifestyle. It is not fair to accuse someone of being lazy; because, he or she might choose an online program such as Capella.

I have to clarify something that was stated many posts ago but is too egregious to ignore. Troy University is not a "for-profit" school nor is it an online school. Troy is a state school (part of the Alabama College System) and is more than 100 years old. There are satellite campuses throughout the county and Asia. In addition, it does offer some online degrees, similar to many other traditional schools. Further, Troy is consistently listed in the Princeton Review as a best buy based on the school's quality curriculum and faculty. Our alumnus work for NASA, have high-ranking military careers and are successful in the business world. One our most visible alums is Demarcus Ware, defensive end for the Dallas Cowboy.

The fact that Troy University was so blatantly misrepresented on this site, I have to believe the person who posted the information did not do the research. Therefore, if you are not already, you should be critical of the few who are spewing such vile about schools they apparently know nothing about.

I am a proud Trojan, M.S.,'03.

Jack,
As I said, I work for a Fortune 50 global enterprise. The company has taken the position that *any* additional education is beneficial to employees and by extention, the company. Thus, our plan is very generous and has only 3 basic rules:
1. The institution must be accredited by some body recognized by CHEA.
2. The course(s) must grant either university credits or CEUs.
3. The employee (student) must get at least a C (or pass) grade.

Meet those 3 basic rules and they pay for 100% of tuition including reg fees, books, software, application fees yada yada yada.

Considering the program is administered at the Corporate level with hundreds of auditors overseeing payment of the tuition vouchers (invoices) I doubt the executive VP in charge of the program is in the pocket of any of the schools.

No idea why Capella and UOP are preferred schools. I think it has to do more with the schools' granting of tuition discounts and/or facilitating easier mass billing for students/employees...I really don't care. 

But I can easily guess why USC is also a preferred school: We have about 30,000 employees working in the SoCal area a stone's throw from USC. Not to mention a couple of our facilities there have direct video feeds to the USC tele-learning center so that the employees don't have to battle traffic to campus.

Anyway, if they're paying the bills, I really *don't care* what sort of agreement they have with the schools...there's nothing out of my pocket.

A gal in the group next door recently completed her online degree. Six weeks later she got a promotion and additional merit increase. And now that she has a degree (not even in her specific field) she's eligible for a first level management spot which she will easily get because she has the knowledge and skills but up until now, didn't have a diploma.

I agree. Do your own research and you will find that attending Walden, Capella Etc... is fine for undergrad. But, their Graduate programs leave a great deal to be desired. 

No Graduate program worth its salt has a 100% acceptance rate...On the Undergrad level..SURE but not on the graduate level.

Jack

Arguing with people virtually is such a waste of time.  No IP and no name needed, so the banter is easy to spew.  Of course, much of it is verbal diarrhea from the likes of "Oh Really" and the multiple personalities.  

I should give the name of my employer so I can have Internet stalkers.  More importantly, I should have my employers name associated with the supposed "educated" on this board.  I openly admit that where my degree is from, but when others do they all seem to be from Harvard, MIT, Yale, University of Chicago, They Ohio State University, etc.  It is amazing how so many of "The Elite" have time for name-calling and petty arguments on a free web board.  I think the pettiness of the agreements on this board speaks volumes for the supposed "Elite".  

The reality is, most of the bashing on this board is from one or two individuals using many, many names.  If you come to a board like this looking for help, you came to the wrong place.  Find alumni and do research.  Interview, ask questions, but don't take the word of the supposed "Elite" that all seem to come from the nation’s top 25 schools.  Do you really believe they post here?  Remember, someone has to finish at the bottom of the class and the chances are that if those schools are represented on this board, the alumni you are talking to are from the bottom of their class.

Then why don't you name your school?  Why all the coy games?  If you have attainted a tenured position at a state school, you should be very proud and could serve as an example to all for-profit graduates.  Reason that you don't is simple.  You lack the position; therefor, you can't back it up.

Matt,

What kind of moronic company do you work for???

If I were in that organization I would look long and hard at the person that manages your company's education/tuition assistance program (Usually HR). Some of these "preferred universities will pay "recruiting fees" to outside sources if they recruit a student to the school. Sounds like some HR rep or manager in your company has a good sources of "secondary income" from Capella, Walden, Etc...

Jack

I Teach,

How many of these DII and DIII offer PhD programs with a 100% accepance rate??? How many DII and DIII schools even offer a PhD? 

Here is your answer...

NONE and Very Few. 

100% acceptance at the undergrad level is indeed a common practice among some colleges. Some will even accept you without a HS diploma or a GED as long as you are an adult over the age of 25. However, I defy you to show me a reputable school that has 100% acceptance at the PhD Level other than the for-profits.

Just out of curiousity, What State University do you teach at?

Jack

That is funny.  I am no fan of Capella but that little whiner La Marca deserved what he got.  Like anyone is supposed to accomodate someone with short-term memory loss.  That clown posted so many complainer sites on the WWW that he had a whole network of them.  I am concerned about the order for him to turn over the sites though.  As a matter of the First Amendment he should not have to take them down.

This is too funny. 

January 15, 2009
Capella U. Settles Lawsuit Against Former Student
Capella University announced today that it has settled a countersuit against a former student who sued the online university in June 2005, alleging an antidisability bias.

The countersuit, which was filed in 2005, claims that the the student, Jeff La Marca, defamed the university and interfered with its business relationships. Mr. La Marca posted online comments and images critical of the university and its lawyers during the course of the original litigation, the university said.

Mr. La Marca — whose original suit claimed that Capella had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by using technology that did not accommodate his learning disabilities — has issued an apology and will hand over his Web sites to Capella for removal, the university said.

Mr. La Marca’s original suit was thrown out in November by a federal judge, who ruled that the student was not considered disabled under the Americans With Disabilities Act and that the institution had provided reasonable accommodation. As part of the settlement, Mr. La Marca has also withdrawn his appeal of that decision, the university said. —David Shieh

Link to apology: www.capella.edu/vc/inc/pdf/la_marcas_apology.pdf

Hello,

I would like to ask some current students who take the courses online how do you get the books and materiel's (e.g. are they sent to you via postage overnight?) Also, if there is a delay in receiving the books (e.g. 7-10 days) then when does your start date begin since there is a delay in receiving the materiel's. How does the college handle this or how does it work?

All comments are welcomed!

Thanks

I work for a Fortune 50 company and we have a great tuition plan. It turns out that Capella, UOP and Walden and a few others are on our "preferred" school alliance list. This means that the schools have an agreement with the company to either waive the application fee, fast track employee credentials for review and/or give tuition discounts. I have 8 years of direct supervisory experience in my area however I missed out on a job opening and promotion at my site because they picked a guy (I know him) who got a MBA online from Capella but has no supervisory experience.

One of our tech consultants said he has to get a PhD in "something, anything" if he wants to move up to program manager with his tech consulting company. Turns out that plenty of the top people in his company have doctorates in "Organizational Principles" and other oddball things. Only 2 or 3 have PhDs in actual technical fields.

where you get your education from but the strength of the school's name can open doors and then there is the resume wow factor a top brand name school can provide. 

I think in the case of Capella, UOP, Walden, Post etc.... the schools have caused themselves tremendous damage with their for profit business practices.  Some of these schools admissions standards are not even at par with some of the 4th tier business MBA programs.  At Capella you can get admitted to their MBA with no GMAT, GRE and a minimal GPA of 2.50 and if your GPA is lower they will still conditionally admit you with financial aid. 

Capella will hurt your resume, there are plenty of online colleges that are highly reputable, with real admission standards for selectivity and if your trying to get around an entrance exam like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT then your just not ready for graduate school.

Thanks alot Capella will hurt...I'm researching those programs now. I need to find an alternate plan of action before my head explodes

A Phd from Capella is nothing to be proud of.  You look stupid for wasting all that money, buying a degree that nobody accepts anyways!  So, you are seen as a moron who spends money to look good, and just makes it worse!

And on top of that, why would he send his daughters to an Ivy IF Capella was so good to him?  Why not send them to Capella too!

A simple run down of the timeline makes this story silly.  If the man made 0-5 he is going to stick around for his pension.  That already puts him in his forties with no large income source.  A USN Commander with an MBA from TUI isn't going to be offered an exec salary coming straight out of the Navy.  He would have to work for at least 10 years in something to get a six-figure income and then he would have to put away large portions of his income for several years to have a net worth over a million dollars.  If he is buying a 4,000sqft home, buying two new Mercedes, and sending his daughter to some Ivy League type school... this guy is broke even if everything you say is true.  If he is working on a PhD in education he was probably a school teacher at some point and we know he isn't getting rich off that.  Your friend does not have enough time in life to accumulate so much unless this person is very old.  The income just isn't there.  Check your lies before you post BS.

Check Your Lies, no one said he became a millionaire in the Navy.  It was just a step in the right direction in his life.  Sorry for the mis-understanding.  Hurts for you to have a B and M degree and have to defend it in this chat room, doesn't it?

A Navy Commander becoming a millionare?   How did he skip into a PhD in Ed with no undergrad or grad degree in the field?  The only place this person recieves envy is your mind.  Check your lies before you post BS.

I have a friend that really impresses me.  He came from nothing.  He grew up in a single-parent household in a terrible part of the country.  Long story short, he got his MBA from TUI University (back when it was called Touro Univeristy International).  He's a few classes shy of his Ph.D. in education with the same school.  He's happily married, his daughter attends an elite private school, he lives in a beautiful 4,000 sq ft home in a prestigious part of town.  He has two new Benz's in his garage, and he earns well over six figures.  He's a millionaire.  And you know what, he credits his education from TUI U and his drive with his success.  He's an example of to me that all this talk about where you go to school is just that, "talk".  So, Capella students, live your dreams, and don't let anyone out there discourage you.  You can't put someone's heart on a piece of paper.  My friend is so admired and envied by many.  Did I mention his TUI MBA help catapult him to the rank of a Navy Commander when he was in the Navy?  A well-accomplshed man with a TUI University (Capella equivalent) degree.  Who would have thought?

I crack up when I hear and read people accuse Capella and others of its ilk of being a for-profit university (like that is something bad).  What college isn't?  I am not a student nor a graduate of Capella, but an informed citizen.  Harvard has a 36 billion dollar endowment.  You don't think that's profit?  When colleges say they are a not-for-profit institute is funny to me.  That's like saying there are "weapons of mass destruction in Iraq" again.  Every college and business is out to make a profit.  If they were not out to make a profit, the tuition would be free and not $100K for four years.  Come on.  Give me a break.  College presidents are making CEO money (in the millions---Harvard) and professors are making executive pay at major universities.  You can't do this without "making a profit".  Please.

Check out Seton Hall World Wide... they have what you need in the areas of counseling.  It is the best online program in the nation for that specific area.

If you intend on pursuing a PHD to work in academia in or any field for that matter an MS from a for profit institution will hurt you're admissions outlook.  The only way a Capella MS will help you is if you intend to teach at Capella or an institution of equal standing.  Not saying it "certainly" will keep you from getting admitted (anything is possible)but you need to look at the big picture of who is applying for a PHD program at a school like Vanderbilt.  Most students applying for admission to a PHD program will likely have BS and MS degrees from very highly regarded institutions with work experience to compound their admission's portfolio.  

My opinion stay away from Capella or the like but I would certainly agree that you should find a good online program.  There are plenty of well known Universities with online programs, do your research you will find many better schools then Capella.

Example of Some Universities with Online progrmas

Northeastern University

Boston University

Seton Hall University

NYU

University of Nebraska

UMASS

Texas Tech

Virginia Tech

Thanks alot Answers, I'm just going to bite the bullet and contact Vanderbilt. When my son gets a little older I a traditional PhD track wouldnt be out of the question for me. I was actually thinking about going back to U of M and getting another BS in psychology, getting some research experience under my belt, retaking the GRE and THEN applying for the PH.D since a MS isnt neccessary one way or the other. Once I looked at the mean salary a LPC makes I used a bit of common sense and asked myself, " Why would I spend $40K for an online MS and only gross $45K a year when I'm done?" It just didnt seem logical when I did the math...the only issue is attending U of M full time next year to get that other BS and working. Quite honestly I have no idea what I'm doing with the rest of my life. I feel like an under acheiver. Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it.

Confused:

Personally I don't think you will be able to get in the PhD program with a MS from Capella unless you have high GRE scores.  Even then, I don't think the MS will help you at all, if not hurt you.

The easiest thing to do is go to Vanderbilt and ask them.  Either call or email faculty in the program and ask how you can get in.  Flat out ask if the Capella MS will help or hurt you and what your GRE scores should be like.  Typically its your statement of purpose that gets you in a Phd program.  Either way, a traditional program will still make you have to attend classes at specific time and do research.

So here is my own opinion.  The MS from Capella in terms of preparing you for a PhD on a personal level cannot hurt.  It will let you know if you really want to be in that field.  From a professional and academic standpoint, Vanderbilt is a lot harder school and I would likely keep the MS off my application to there.

I have been admitted into Capella's Mental Health Counseling program. I received my undergrad from the University of Memphis, which is a Comm degree that I regret getting. None the less, Capella caught my attention because this particular program is CACREP accredited. I have a 2 yr old son with a full time job working for the state of TN Dept. of Human Services and traditional learning is not an option for me. The accreditation was the selling point for me with Capella, but reading all this is making me second guess my decision. I am scheduled to start next quarter but I havent registered for any classes yet. And to be quite honest, I applied for the Counseling program at U of M but the schedule wouldnt have worked for my lifestyle and I would have been going part tine for a zillion years. Plus, quite frankly my GRE scores sucked the first time around.I ultimately want to persue a PhD at Vanderbilt in Community Research and Action but I'm wondering if the Capella stigma is going to nullify my chances of admittance in the future. I'd love some constructive input....help please :(

There are plenty of better online MBA's then Capella.  Some are accredited by AACSB and some are not but non the less there are plenty of much better online MBA programs then what schools like Capella or UOP have to offer.  I've been looking at these schools

Florida Atlatnic

Florida State

West Florida University 

University of North Florida


all are AACSB accredited and have great reputations throughout the country as great MBA programs.

Nice.

Your argument is baseless.  If you are trying to say that Capella is difficult because you need to be an independent learner most of the time then you might as well take independent study distance learning courses through a local state college.  The difficulty will be just as challenging and possibly even more difficult. You can't diminish the fact that where you go to school makes a difference. The institution where you graduate from will open doors.  Based on the return on investment you expect to receive. I would have to say that Capella will offer minimal return on your investment for the future. 

EG.  MBA from the University of Nebraska, all online, AACSB offers several concentrations, total cost of degree $12-15,000., Need a mimimal GMAT score of 550.

MBA from the University of Massachusets AACSB, offers many concentrations, need GMAT, cost is $10,000-15,000.

Capella is hard work and you have to be dedicated to make it online at a school thats online and understand what you are doing and think hard.  its a lot easier in a classroom where a teacher explains everything to you and hand feeds it.  Try learning Calculus or Physcis on your own and earning an engineering degree.  Not as easy as you think!

Accreditation is crucial to MBA programs for that very reason.  First, you don't need GRE's for an MBA, you need GMATs.  Second, accreditation is important by AACSB because it sets apart a quality school since there are so many MBA programs out there now.  The only way I can justify any degree from a For-profit online school is simply if you need the credentials to get a promotion within the organization and they are paying for it.  I know people who went to Capella and UoP and won't even list it in resumes.  Funny enough, I teach at UoP and won't list it.  But it helps pay off my student loans.

I'm a Capella student and I like the program because it gives me what I need and want.  A degree I can afford and finish.  

I was declined by many AACSB and ACBSP accredited MBA's so I did what I thought was best and looked for a school that didn't require the GRE, Capella was the best choice.  

I'm not trying to pump Capella and compare it to Penn State because the Capella program isn't comparable to the top ranked programs but it gives me what I want and need.

For the Capella students who are unrealistic and think Capella is a top notch school need to realize that its just the opposite.  Capella is a basic adult learers college and nothing more.  Last week my daughter asked me if she could visit Capella I said sure, just log on.

Have you seen Capella's YouTube videos like the one where one of their PhD's worked 12 hour days, including nights and weekends, and spent a lot of time running in marathons? A real school would never allow that.

There are some degrees you can learn online but a PHD just isn't one of them.  PHD's are degrees that are heavily focused on research and most PHD candidates are very actively involved with their universities.  An online PHD just isn't worth the time or money except if you want to become a faculty member of an online college, if that suites your desires.  Very good and reputable PHD programs should have the following.  I will also say that anyone who is "serious" about earning a PHD will be paid a stipend as an adjunct faculty member and the degree should be paid for by the university they are attending.  Any of the for profit schools offering a PHD program should never be considered.  If you want an advanced degree, fine get at a masters but please don't waste your precious time buying an online PHD.  Most in the Academic field will not take you seriously upon earning the degree, publishers and editors will not take you seriously and any major university you're applying to for a job will likely laugh at the resume.

My wife's business associate earned her PHD in chemistry a year ago and the amount of research involved was incredible, you simply can't get this or accomplish this with an online degree. However,

Earning a masters degree such as a masters degree or an MBA online isn't such a bad thing depending on what you want to get out the degree.  For the person perusing a career change, only a "full time" B & M MBA program will benefit you.  If you simply just want to be an MBA or master of something like Finance then an online degree from an accredited university is right up your alley.  Remember a degree doesn't make you successful it only opens doors, for a very short period of time.

Understand many employers see Capella and other schools as the easy way out.  We see you as taking the easy and quick way instead of putting your time in and doing it right.  Phds online should not exist.  You cannot spend 40+ hours a week perfecting research or teaching if you are doing it online.  You can do a part time Phd or a DISTANCE Phd and get much better at either.  Distance assumes you are adjuncting while doing the program.  In either case, don't compare Capella to AACSB.  They serve different purposes.

Personally, why spend so much at Capella if you can get a better degree locally, or other schools online like Penn State?  Why you ask?  Well, Penn State would make you do real work instead of just letting you buy a degree.  Plain and simple.

This post isn’t meant to knock down non AACSB accredited programs.

Not trying to jab a cheap shot at Capella University but to even consider Capella in the same category as even the smallest of AACSB accredited business programs is foolish.  As few as 25% of all business schools in the nation are accredited by AACSB because those businesses schools have met the requirements to achieve initial business accreditation and some schools that have been around for a long time with highly matured accounting schools have their accounting schools follow a separate distinct AACSB accreditation.  Maintaining AACSB accreditation is not an easy task for most universities which is why most will prefer to only appoint PHD’s from other AACSB programs.  AACSB is becoming extremely important in the business community especially with many of the degree’s now being offered online.

AACSB is important for many reasons and every business school candidate should closely analyze what they want to get out of their education because AACSB may not be very important. I know many MBA graduates that chose to go to non AACSB schools both with and without personal regrets.  For example Philadelphia University is a regionally accredited University but offers a very unique MBA that has a concentration in taxation and Philadelphia University is a very highly respected school in the Middle Atlantic Region.  We also have a regionally accredited school called Pierce that offers and online MBA that has a very poor reputation.  Again it all depends on what you want personally. If you want Capella go for it but please don’t sit back and compare Capella’s for profit business school to all the other not for profit regionally and AACSB accredited business schools.

I know for a fact that many if not most well established regionally accredited universities are activley seeking AACSB or ACBSP accredidation.

That is exactly what people who hate Capella are folks.  You continue to let us all know that what you proclaim is a fact.  Funny, I teach at a B&M college that has existed for over 120 years with a Capella PhD and I am doing just fine.  If anything, what some of these "traditional" PhD's have learned is how to be close minded.  I also wonder about the military today then.  So many Capella graduates in the ranks of Major and above, yet we are admired around the world.

Rip away my B&M foes, I don't actually care, I have a job.

I'm a student trying to become a CPA, earn an MBA and an MS in Taxation all online......but from AACSB accredited colleges.  One of my goals is to become a faculty member of an AACSB or Non AACSB accredited University to teach financial planning, of course I would never expect to become anything more then a part time adjunct which is perfectly fine with me.  Having a lot of contacts in the field I know for a fact that most AACSB accredited colleges only have tenured professors from other AACSB programs, probably in the 95 percentile.  5% that are PHD holders from non AACSB accredited universities that teach in business school more then likely hold a PHD in a non business profession like say statistics or communications.  

I guess I'll gust get to the point instead of rambling on and on.

Get your degree(s) from an AACSB accredited university it will pay off in the long run.  Anyone who is leaning towards an online regionally accredited programs like the for profits Capella, Walden, University of Phoenix or even some non profits like Troy University, FIT or Ellis College are simply doing so for one single reason............. the admissions process is not selective.