Capella University

Pros: Great education, good interface, flexible schedule, responsive faculty and staff
Cons: Can be expensive

After being laid off, I started looking into continuing my education with graduate school. Attending a brick and mortar school seemed like too much work. Me, lazy? I'd actually missed the deadline for fall semester at any of these schools. In addition to ...

Pros: Regionally Accredited, Responsive Staff, Good Educational Program/Material that was applicable to my professional IT position
Cons: Occasional Lack of Participation - resolved with support calls. Courses pricy - over 250$/quarter credit.

The first and foremost reason I chose an online school was availability. Of my time. I am the father of three, and a husband to boot... with a full-time PLUS professional position. I have worked in IT for 10 years, and hold Cisco CCIE and ISC(2) CISSP ...

Pros: The program is easily accessible, making a university degree an option for all.
Cons: Hidden costs; Many of the teachers seem unqualified or uninterested in their work.

About my preliminary expectations: I admit that I applied to this school only because NYU’s distance learning program, to which I had originally been accepted, was abruptly terminated, so my expectations of any program to which I applied were high. I ...

Pros: None.
Cons: Dishonest. Bigotry. Discrimination. Harassment. Retaliation. A waste of money.

Capella University actively engages in discrimination against students and retaliates against those who speak out against them. In addition, Capella University hires incompetent charlatans to teach their courses and strives to censor all valid ...

Pros: Outstanding opportunity for self-motivated adults to learn, anywhere in the world with Internet access.
Cons: Requires discipline, maturity, and time commitment that many people simply cannot invest.

I have experienced a great deal of progress in the development of the institution known as Capella University, through my experiences as a learner (student) at Capella. Since July of 2006, when I enrolled in their MBA program, through today (late April ...

Pros: None
Cons: Dishonest, not trustworthy, and definitely not genunine. Cost too much.

Summary Capella has five schools: SchoolSchool of Education School of Human Services Harold Abel School of Psychology School of Business and Technology School of Undergraduate Studies 4 Degree programs and one certificate program: ...

Pros: The blended scholar/practioner model. You determine the relevancy of materials to your plans
Cons: You have to be disciplined. It's a little pricey. You have to read alot.

As someone going to capella for 3 years now, in the PHD program, I am extremely happy with my experience. I like it because it is set up for people to take ownership of their education -- not be force fed it "taught" it from a lecture podium. I am ...

Pros: Accredited & Online  
Cons: Skeptical Public / Capella Businesss Office

I experienced problems similar to those voiced by other reviewers. The school’s administrators seem to be working hard to iron out problems. I completed an Information Technology Masters at Capella. My wife was studying at St. ...

Pros: Can't think of one right now...
Cons: Your are alone in your educational endeavor.

I honestly have never seen such incompetence and unethical behavior in my entire academic career. The classes are easy and students post a page a week and then do a short paper at the end. There are no resources, no powerpoints from the instructors, ...

Pros: Great education. Great instructor involvement. Able to complete your education at your own pace.
Cons: Pricey.

I just recently graduated with a BS in Information Technology from Capella University and was very pleased with my experience there. The vast majority of the instructors were very responsive and the materials covered were relevant to my work life. ...

Pros: Well-Structured, Quality Peer-to-Peer Interaction, Credible Education
Cons: Pricey, Maybe a little too structured, A bit impersonal...

Overall, I've been relatively happy with my experience at Capella University. I'm in my second year of PhD classes, and I like the format. I did my homework before applying for and pursuing a degree from Capella... Despite the nay-sayers, I've found ...

Pros: Most faculty are deeply committed to students, most courses are well-organized and substantive
Cons: Need higher admission standards (some weak thinkers/writers in class). And yes, it's expensive.

I am finishing a PhD through Capella after 3 long years of coursework, comps, and dissertation. In all that time, I had one course that I would characterize as inferior, in content and in instruction. My previous degrees were all earned at traditional ...

Pros: - Terrific faculty and Staff
- Military friendly
Cons: - A bit expensive, but worth it!

If you want to learn how to research - you will have a difficult time finding an online PhD that has a better program than Capella.Why? Well - Dr. John Whitlock. That's why. He is a brilliant scholar who approves of all dissertations from the ...

Pros: Easy Application/Financial Aid Anyone Accepted
Cons: Self-Taught Coursework Inaccessible Support Staff and Faculty Misleading guidelines and regulations

For those who read my review before my retraction, I'm afraid that the critics were more accurate than my hopeful opinion. I had believed that academic freedom and the ability to be a student on one's own terms was what Capella offered for better or ...

Pros: Develop self motivation skills
Cons: Some professors dont respond to emails. Lack presentation skills.

I believe Capella is one of the most challenging universities I have ever attended. At times I feel like pulling out my hair while doing my assignments or just quit the university. However, I try motivating myself to get assignments in even though ...

Pros: Poor standards, easy to get degrees ....as long as your money hold out!
Cons: Shoddy, trashed by those who value university educations-short term job fix for the unaware.

The constant negative controversy surrounding Capella and other institutions of this type is deserved. They are not really "non traditional" excellent institutions as much as they are advertising savvy businesses. They seek out and use four types of ...

Pros: Good advertising campaign
Cons: Capella APA Application voluntarily withdrawn-Doctoral-PsyD Don't expect to resolve complaints

I made the mistake of attending Capella University. In my opinion, this institution doesn’t deserve accreditation. At the time of this opinion, there were four lawsuits filed against Capella Education Corporation. (Google search)

Here are a few specific examples of why I took the time to write this opinion and warn others about Capella.

1. In my opinion Capella is losing ground. It has lost or withdrew its APA application for accreditation.

2. My experience with instructors and format were disappointing. When the format we used to interface with the university changed, it resulted in confusion. I dropped my class and protested. Capella refused to refund fees and turned it over to collections. Capella’s collection agency dropped the case, so Capella (and/or its agents) gave it to other agencies to continue the harassment. Other students also report unethical collection practices.

3. Poor quality of instruction. My PhD classes were taught by people that didn't seem to have the expertise necessary to teach the class. While there are some good instructors, I was disappointed in the education I received.


Recommendations - steer clear of Capella and heavily advertised online programs. Go with in-state online programs offered from reputable institutions.

Pros: Slick system in place.
Cons: Money making institution. They will tell you ANYTHING to get your money.

I started with much enthusiasm at Capella. I did considerable research about on-line degrees. My wife, who has a PhD from Columbia cautioned against my undertaking the PhD program, but I pursued it anyway. I found it to be a disaster in the set up. I found the administrative organization and the focus on money obscuring the educational experience. Furthermore, the evaluation of my Master's degree credits was unbelievable in that less than half of my credits were transferred, and I graduated from Boston University. At work, the school was not recognized. I would strong urge people to avoid this school. Perhaps there are some on-line schools that are focused on education.

Pros: On-line
Cons: Not professional or consumer orientated.

I looked into Capella as an option for going on to graduate school. Right from the start I received bad service.This does not bode well for the school or their programs. I asked to speak with a student who was already in the program and I never heard back from them again. At first I was angry and then I felt that it was actually a good thing because I'm now going to go to another school for my graduate degree. Beware of this school and listen to the previous reviewer.There are other much better schools with on line programs out there.
Also,never listen to students that are already in the program. They are too biased and already vested into Capella and do not give objective opinions.

Pros: So many helpful resources: writing center, academic advisor, librarians, career counselor, great reputation
Cons: is kind of expensive (but most universities are)

I am impressed with Capella, great support and great reputation.  Faculty are great and I like the system they use WebCT. Very flexible to learn online but very demanding work load to go with it! 

Pros: Quality education; growing reputation; convenience
Cons: online learning is not for everyone

I earned a Ph.D. in Education from Capella after four years of rigorous work. Since graduating, I accepted a position as Assistant Professor at a university. I also create online courses for a large education corporation and work in my own consulting business. I earn well over $100,000 a year. Prior to starting the program, my income was around $55,000. Like all education, a degree from Capella is what you make of it.

I have discovered that many of the negative posts about Capella come from a single individual who apparently has little else to do than try to hurt the reputation of a very fine institution. You can tell from the style of the writing and the reuse of certain terms that they are generated by the same individual.

Pros: Quality education, support from educators and classmates and flexibility.
Cons: Price, but you get what you pay for.

If you are looking to buy your degree, which I image some individuals who reviewed Capella on this site are looking for, Capella is not for you. Earning a degree is more rewarding and profitable in the end. I am a Federal Government accountant and having taken several courses at Capella I can say with all honesty that you will earn your grades.

Taking on-line classes, although more convenience, are not easier and not for everyone. Keep this in mind as you read reviews.

Please, for your own sake, look past the disgruntled reviews and take a course. Make up your own mind.