Bachelor's/Master's Options
Capella University offers two bachelor’s/master’s options that allow learners to complete master’s-level coursework while they are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
Accelerated Master’s Pathway Options
Accelerated master’s pathway (AMP) options are designated undergraduate offerings that incorporate specific master’s-level courses into a learner’s undergraduate core or specialization requirements.
Learners may apply and be admitted to AMP-designated undergraduate programs upon initial entry to Capella University, or they may elect to later change into an AMP option through the change of program process. To qualify for an accelerated master’s pathway option, learners must submit transcripts from all previous higher education institutions, have received a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all previous college coursework, and have no fewer than 24 total eligible transfer credits. Learners who apply to change into an AMP option after initial admission to the university must have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA at Capella and at least 24 completed college credits.
Once enrolled in a GuidedPath accelerated master’s pathway option, learners must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.8 and receive no more than one grade of “C” in any master’s-level course to remain enrolled in the AMP option. Learners falling below this threshold will be automatically changed into the associated non-AMP GuidedPath undergraduate offering.
Once enrolled in a FlexPath accelerated master’s pathway option, learners are expected to earn a minimum "proficient" evaluation on all master's-level competencies and all competencies in their program. Learners who receive "basic" evaluations in more than one course will be automatically changed into the associated non-AMP FlexPath undergraduate offering.
Once learners have successfully completed the requirements for their bachelor’s degree program and their degree has been awarded, they may apply to the master’s degree program that corresponds to their chosen accelerated master’s pathway option. Learners are encouraged to enroll in their master’s degree program within one year of graduating from their bachelor’s degree program to ensure all master’s-level courses are relevant and applicable to the graduate program’s degree requirements.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Option
Combined bachelor’s/master’s options are designated bachelor’s offerings with a set of master’s-level courses that are applied to the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and may also be applied in a subsequent master’s degree program. In combined option offerings, the master’s-level courses are often applied toward learners’ undergraduate elective requirements.
To qualify for a GuidedPath combined option, learners must enroll in an eligible bachelor’s degree program and earn a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade point average (GPA) while completing the first 100 quarter credits of bachelor’s-level coursework, which includes a minimum of 18 quarter credits earned at Capella University (first course and at least 12 quarter credits of core and/ or specialization or minor courses). After completing 100 quarter credits of bachelor’s-level coursework, learners may request to be enrolled in an eligible combined option during which they complete 12–15 quarter credits of master’s-level coursework. Learners must receive no more than one grade of "C" in any master's-level course and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.8 to remain enrolled in the combined option.
Once learners have successfully completed the requirements for their bachelor’s degree program and their degree has been awarded, they may apply for the master’s degree program that corresponds to their chosen combined option. Learners are encouraged to enroll in their master’s degree program within one year of graduating from their bachelor’s degree program to ensure all master’s-level courses are relevant and applicable to the graduate program’s degree requirements. The 12–15 quarter credits of master’s-level coursework completed as part of the requirements for their bachelor’s degree program will be applied toward those for their master’s degree program.
To qualify for a FlexPath combined option, learners must enroll in an eligible bachelor’s degree program and earn a minimum evaluation of “Proficient” on all competencies while completing the first 50 program points of bachelor’s-level coursework, which includes a minimum of 9 program points earned at Capella University (first course and 6 program points of core and/or specialization courses). After completing 50 program points of bachelor’s-level coursework, learners may request to be enrolled in an eligible combined option during which they complete 6–7.5 program points of master’s-level coursework. Learners are expected to earn a minimum "proficient" evaluation on all master's level competencies and all competencies in their program. Learners who receive "basic" evaluations in more than one course will be automatically changed into the associated non-combined option undergraduate offering.
Once learners have successfully completed the requirements for their bachelor’s degree program and their degree has been awarded, they may apply for the master’s degree program that corresponds to their chosen combined option. Learners are not guaranteed admission into a corresponding master’s degree program and must complete a separate application for admission to the program. Learners are encouraged to enroll in their master’s degree program within one year of graduating from their bachelor’s degree program to ensure all master’s-level courses are relevant and applicable to the graduate program’s degree requirements, and must start their master’s degree program in accordance with the University’s Academic Calendar. The 6–7.5 program points of master’s-level coursework completed as part of the requirements for their bachelor’s degree program will be applied toward those for their master’s degree program.
Honors Pathway
The honors pathway is an option available to high-performing GuidedPath learners in undergraduate degree programs.
The honors pathway is incorporated into the learner's undergraduate degree program and consists of 15 quarter credits of interdisciplinary honors general education courses aligned to the following three general education distribution areas: communication, humanities, and social science. In addition to completing these courses, learners connect outside of the courseroom in Capella Connect and have access to other benefits available only to honors learners.
To qualify for the honors pathway, learners must have completed a minimum of 39 quarter credits, including at least 15 quarter credits of Capella University credit with a minimum 3.5 cumulative Capella grade point average (GPA). Applicants must also meet the minimum requirements for their degree program.
Once enrolled in the honors pathway, learners must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 to remain in the honors pathway and receive the honors pathway designation with their conferred degree. Learners who fall below this threshold will have two quarters of active registration to improve their GPA to 3.5 or the learner will be removed from the honors pathway.
Learners enrolled in the honors pathway must earn a grade of “B" or better in the honors courses (PHI-H2005, SOC-H3005, and COM-H4005). Learners who do not attain at least a “B" after one allowable retake will be removed from the honors pathway. Learners who do not re-take the course within two quarters of active registration will be removed from the pathway. Learners who have been removed from the honors pathway may not return to or graduate from the honors pathway.
Upon degree conferral, the honors pathway is noted on the transcript and diploma for those who have successfully completed the requirements for their bachelor's degree and the honors pathway.
Certificate Programs
Undergraduate Certificate Programs
Undergraduate certificate programs provide learners with the opportunity to pursue new knowledge and skills through completion of a concentrated undergraduate-level programs of study.
Graduate Certificate Programs
Graduate certificate programs provide learners with the opportunity to pursue new knowledge and skills through completion of a concentrated graduate-level programs of study.
Learning Delivery Models
Capella University offers two delivery models for completing degree and certificate programs: the original GuidedPath, which is structured in credit hours and in which learners earn grades; and the innovative FlexPath, which is a self-paced, non-credit bearing, direct assessment delivery model for earning the same degree or certificate. Both models are delivered online, and, in both, learning is measured through the demonstration of competencies.
GuidedPath
GuidedPath allows learners to earn a Capella degree or certificate by demonstrating competencies through structured weekly assignments and interactions with faculty and peers in the online courseroom. Faculty offer substantive feedback on and assign grades to learners’ coursework. Courses are offered in a traditional quarter-based academic calendar. The degree or certificate is awarded upon completion of the learner’s program requirements. All Capella programs and certificates are offered in the GuidedPath delivery model, unless otherwise noted.
FlexPath
FlexPath allows learners to earn a Capella degree or certificate through the demonstration of competencies on assessments completed at one’s own pace. Learners prepare for assessments through self-designed study, which may include work experience and resources recommended by faculty and tutors. Faculty provide substantive feedback on and evaluate learners’ assessments in terms of the level of competency demonstration, rather than assigning grades. FlexPath has a flat-rate tuition for a subscription period of 12 weeks, during which learners may be registered for two courses concurrently; learners may complete courses at their own pace. The degree or certificate is awarded upon completion of the program requirements. FlexPath is available for select offerings.
Multiple Specializations
Multiple specializations are designed to provide learners with knowledge in more than one course of study within an eligible degree program. They lead to the award of a single degree with two or more specializations. Learners enrolled in an eligible degree program may request to be enrolled in additional eligible specializations at any point during their program. The degree and its specializations are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the program requirements for each specialization.
Professional Licensure and Certification
Capella University offers academic programs leading to advanced degrees in a number of fields for which professional practice requires licensure or certification by state, local, or professional boards. However, because licensing or certification standards vary, Capella University makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that successful completion of the degree or certificate program will permit the learner to obtain licensure or certification. Learners who enroll in a Capella University degree program in a field for which professional practice requires any type of licensure or certification are solely responsible for determining and complying with state, local, or professional licensure and certification requirements. These learners are also responsible for taking the steps necessary to satisfy those requirements. As part of the admission process, Capella University requires all learners in these programs to sign the Licensure Disclosure & Responsibilities Acknowledgment in which they agree that it is their responsibility to understand and comply with licensing and certification laws and regulations. Additional information on professional licensure and certification can be found on Campus.
Concentrations
Concentrations are designed to provide learners with deeper knowledge in a specific subject area. They include a specific set of courses in a narrowly defined field of study that is taken either to fulfill a degree program requirement or add to a degree program requirement. Learners enrolled in an eligible degree program that does not include a concentration as part of its requirements may request to be enrolled in eligible concentrations at any point during their program. The degree and concentration are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the program and concentration requirements.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within credit minimums will be required to accrue such additional credits as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.