An Education that Blends Theory and Practice to Fuel your Career
Capella University is an accredited*, fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults. Eighty-three percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 114 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. More than 26,800 learners were enrolled as of Dec. 31, 2008, from all 50 states and 45 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis.
Capella believes in providing students both superb academics and practical skills, so classes are taught by faculty members who are scholars and practitioners in their fields. Additionally, where applicable, curricula are constructed to meet the standards established by professional trade associations to ensure students gain the knowledge sought by employers.
Capella helps more than 75 percent of students with financial aid assistance. In addition, more than 100 corporations have formal alliances with Capella and support employee participation in our degree programs.
Military benefits at Capella University
Capella University is dedicated to assisting members of the armed forces, their families and veterans. Benefits include tuition discounts, credit for military training, a dedicated military support services team, a flexible military leave policy, affiliations with key military organizations, and credit for DAU courses.
Capella University accreditation
Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
PhD in Org and Mgmt - Management Education
Prepare yourself to educate our future business leaders, while meeting the growing demand for postsecondary business faculty. This Management Education PhD specialization provides opportunities for deep analysis and research in management theories and principles, along with skill development in advanced teaching techniques, including course design, learning theory, and classroom assessment. It is one of the few doctoral programs available that focuses specifically on preparing business and management experts to teach at the postsecondary level. As part of this specialization, you may apply for and receive a Post-Master’s Certificate in College Teaching from Capella, as well as your PhD. People who choose this specialization are often business professionals preparing to become postsecondary business educators or postsecondary business instructors seeking advancement.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Org and Mgmt - General Business
Delve deeply into the business areas that match your professional interests and goals with this flexible organization and management PhD program. Required courses offer advanced study in such areas as organizational theory and practice, marketing and business strategy and practice, research, and statistics, preparing you to contribute to the field through your doctoral research. Focus your study by choosing from a broad range of electives in such areas as finance, marketing, operations, human resource management, information technology management, and leadership. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing higher education faculty positions or business leadership or consulting positions in a broad range of military, government, business, and nonprofit fields.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Org and Mgmt - Human Resource Management
Explore and challenge the latest thinking of expert human resource theorists while conducting your own doctoral research to advance the field of human resources. This Human Resource Management PhD specialization is designed to prepare you to lead, consult, or teach in the field of human resources within a complex and global business environment. You will explore and create practical solutions to real-world problems, and prepare yourself to think beyond traditional business boundaries to become a strategic business partner in leading and managing your organization's human assets. Capella's curriculum is mapped to the competencies identified by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®) in "The Competency Model for the New HR." People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership, consulting, or faculty positions in the field of human resources and employee development.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Org and Mgmt - Information Technology Mgmt
Break new ground within the growing field of information technology management through your own doctoral research and advanced academic study into the interdependence of business and IT strategy. This PhD specialization offers a curriculum that balances study of advanced management theory and practice with key information technology planning and delivery strategies, offering the knowledge and leadership skills you need to pioneer innovative solutions to complex information technology issues within today's fast-moving business environment. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing chief information or technology officer, higher education faculty, or consulting positions in the field of information technology management.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Org and Mgmt - Leadership
Enhance your ability to manage and lead in today's fast-paced, global business environment with this online Leadership PhD specialization. The curriculum offers a strong foundation in key business functions, along with focused leadership courses that allow you to carve your niche as a leadership expert in such areas as global leadership, leadership development, entrepreneurial leadership, and upper-echelon leadership. You will also conduct and apply advanced doctoral research to develop real-world answers to the challenges facing complex, 21st century organizations. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing higher education faculty positions or leadership or consulting positions in a variety of military, government, business, and nonprofit settings.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Org and Mgmt - Project Management
This business-focused doctoral specialization is designed for project management professionals who are looking for a deeper understanding of how to manage projects throughout an enterprise and want to contribute to their field through doctoral research. In addition to advanced project management course work, the specialization provides a comprehensive overview of key business and organizational topics, including accounting and financial management, marketing strategy, and organizational theory. People who choose this specialization often wish to lead, consult, or teach in the field of project management from a cross-functional, strategic perspective.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in IT - General
Prepare yourself for leadership in the fast-growing field of information technology, while adding to the body of knowledge in the IT discipline through your own doctoral research. This online information technology PhD specialization provides busy IT professionals the opportunity to design a doctoral program to meet specific interests and career goals. Choose course work in a particular IT discipline, such as information security or network architecture and design, or focus on IT within a specific industry, while also developing advanced research and scholarly writing capabilities. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership, research, consulting, or higher education faculty positions in the field of information technology.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in IT - Information Security
Data and system security have become critical concerns in nearly every industry and government sector, creating a demand for high-level information security expertise. This Information Security PhD specialization provides opportunities for advanced skill development and doctoral research in such topics as information confidentiality, integrity, governance, compliance, and risk management. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing senior leadership, consulting, or faculty positions in information security within military, government, education, and private sectors.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in IT - Information Technology Education
Postsecondary teaching is one of the top two fastest-growing doctoral level occupations, and the need is particularly acute in popular, fast-growing fields of study, such as information technology. Position yourself to take advantage of these opportunities through the PhD in IT program that offers one of the few specializations in IT education. The specialization combines in-depth analysis, critical thinking, research, and scholarly writing with skill development in advanced teaching techniques and curriculum design. Specialization outcomes were reviewed by faculty participating in the Association for Computing Machinery's Special Interest Group for Information Technology Education (SIGITE). As part of this specialization, you may apply for and receive a Post-Master's Certificate in College Teaching from Capella, as well as your PhD. People who choose this specialization are often postsecondary IT instructors seeking advancement, or IT professionals who want to teach or consult.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in IT - Project Management
Project managers play an increasingly strategic role within their companies and are being recognized as "leadership track" employees. This IT-focused Project Management doctoral specialization offers the opportunity to develop the advanced IT, project management, and business knowledge of a leader. The specialization is also designed to help you develop solid research skills, culminating in a dissertation that advances the body of knowledge in this field. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership, consulting, or faculty positions in IT project management.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Curriculum and Instruction
Advance your knowledge of K–12 curriculum and instruction and conduct research to lead positive change and improve student achievement. This PhD in Education specialization offers advanced theory and practice in research methodology and application, curriculum mapping, instruction and assessment, and collaborative curriculum development. Throughout the program you will build a professional portfolio to demonstrate your doctoral competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization are often licensed K–12 teachers, curriculum specialists, or administrators interested in pursuing curriculum director, principal or superintendent positions, or higher education faculty positions in the field of curriculum design or evaluation.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - K-12 Studies in Education
Create an individualized doctoral program that fits your unique K–12 research interests. Complement such core course work as advanced research, educational philosophy, advanced learning theory, and K–12 history and politics with electives in such areas as adult learning, mathematics, science, educational leadership, and virtual school instruction and assessment strategies. Throughout the program you will build a professional portfolio that will enable you to demonstrate your doctoral competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization, which was built around nationally recognized teaching standards, are often licensed K–12 teachers and administrators interested in career advancement, consulting positions, or higher education faculty positions.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Instructional Design for Online Learning
Equip yourself to lead and manage instructional challenges in the growing field of online education. This PhD specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning focuses on the theory and leadership of instructional design, including creating and applying instructional design models, leading the implementation of instructional solutions, leading strategic instructional design initiatives, and conducting and applying instructional design research. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing dean, director or other high-level leadership positions in a variety online learning settings, including educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care, and government.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
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PhD in Ed - Leadership for Higher Education
Earn three valuable credentials through this Leadership for Higher Education specialization—a PhD and a Post-Master's Certificate in Enrollment Management from Capella, and a professional certificate in Enrollment Management from Noel-Levitz, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in higher education recruitment and retention. The curriculum is designed to help you develop key problem-solving and research skills, and prepare you to address the educational and business challenges of higher education institutions. People who choose this specialization are often faculty members or administrators interested in pursuing academic or business leadership positions in higher education settings.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Leadership in Educational Administration
Conduct your own doctoral research in the challenging, growing field of P–12 administration, and develop the skills to translate theory into effective, innovative leadership practices. This specialization is one of very few online programs that is state-approved, a requirement for principal or superintendent licensure in a number of states. It is also aligned with standards of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC). Throughout the program, you will develop a professional portfolio that demonstrates your doctoral competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization include those pursuing leadership positions such as principal, director, or superintendent at the district level, or higher education faculty positions.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Postsecondary and Adult Education
Enhance your qualifications in adult education and college teaching, one of the 10 fastest growing occupations in the country. You will earn two valuable credentials as part of this specialization—a PhD in Education with a specialization in Postsecondary and Adult Education and a Post-Master's Certificate in College Teaching. The curriculum focuses on theories of adult learning and distance education, critical analysis and research skills, best practices in postsecondary adult instruction, and application of theory and research to develop effective learning environments for individuals from a variety of backgrounds. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing postsecondary faculty positions or education leadership positions in a variety of adult learning settings, including higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the military.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Professional Studies in Education
This online PhD program in education is designed for experienced educators or administrators working in a variety of teaching or training situations. The flexible program provides optimal opportunity for you to build upon previous knowledge and experience, and choose course work and research topics most interesting or relevant to your current position or career aspirations. In addition to earning a PhD, you will have the option to earn a Post-Master's Certificate in Enrollment Management (along with a professional Enrollment Management certificate from Noel-Levitz) or a Post-Master’s Certificate in College Teaching as part of your program. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing postsecondary faculty or K–12 master teacher positions, or consulting or leadership positions in a variety of educational settings, including higher education, business, nonprofit organizations, the military, health care, or government.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Special Education Leadership
Strengthen your ability to oversee and advocate for the growing number of students who need special education services, and contribute to the field through your own doctoral research. This specialization provides a strong foundation in general P–12 educational administration, along with focused course work in special education administration, instructional strategies, law, and finance. People who choose this specialization include those pursuing special education leadership positions at the building, district, state, or national level; higher education faculty positions; or consulting positions in the field of special education.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed - Training and Performance Improvement
Gain increased credibility as a leader in training and performance improvement through this PhD specialization that also includes valuable certification in ROI MethodologyTM from the ROI InstituteTM. Based on the American Society for Training & Development's (ASTD) Human Performance Improvement model, the specialization is designed to deepen your understanding of strategic and tactical issues that are critical to the success of performance improvement interventions, and provide you opportunity to advance the field through your own doctoral research. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing chief learning officer, director-level, consulting, or higher education faculty positions in training, performance improvement, instructional design, or career counseling.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Ed – Nursing Education
Thank you for your interest in Capella University. Please be aware that the specialization you have selected is for current licensed registered nurses with a master’s degree in Nursing.
A shortage of nursing faculty is a key reason U.S. nursing schools must turn away tens of thousands of qualified applicants each year. Capella's doctoral Nursing Education specialization is designed to prepare master's-level nurses to meet this growing need and to advance the field of nursing through doctoral research. The National League for Nursing recognizes that this PhD specialization in Nursing Education aligns with the Core Competencies for Nurse Educators©, using competencies that are integral to the Certified Nurse Educator® (CNE) exam. The curriculum includes such topics as advanced nursing theory and concepts, curriculum design and evaluation, teaching strategies, and classroom assessment. People likely to be interested in this specialization include nursing faculty members who want to pursue advanced faculty or leadership positions and nurses currently working in health care delivery who want to share their knowledge of nursing.
EdS - Curriculum and Instruction
The continuing emphasis on educational quality and accountability has created a high demand for educators with specialized skills in curriculum and instruction. This EdS specialization is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the research-based knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to create and implement instructional improvement initiatives and increase student achievement. Designed around national teaching and licensure standards, this specialization is intended for educators and administrators who have completed a master’s degree and want to gain additional knowledge and increase their career options. People who choose this specialization are often licensed teachers or administrators interested in pursuing building or district leadership positions in the field of curriculum and instruction, or in continuing their studies at the doctoral level. (Equivalent course work taken as part of the EdS program may be applied to degree requirements for a Capella PhD degree.)
EdS - Leadership in Education Administration
Position yourself to advance in the field of K–12 administration. Capella offers one of the few state-approved specializations in Leadership in Educational Administration available within an online EdS program. Through a curriculum designed around the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards, you will explore such topics as effective management, collaboration with school stakeholders, and development of a shared vision of learning. Throughout the program, which includes a specialized internship and residential colloquia, you will develop a professional portfolio to demonstrate your EdS-level competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization are often licensed teachers or school administrators seeking principal and/or superintendent licensure or pursuing other building or district leadership positions. (Equivalent course work taken as part of the EdS program may be applied to degree requirements for a Capella PhD degree.)
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Psych - Educational Psychology
Deepen your knowledge of educational development and psychological research with this PhD in Educational Psychology specialization that can be tailored to meet your professional needs and research interests. Through your choice of electives, you can focus your study in such areas as instructional design science, teaching science, or developmental science, or choose a broader field of study. People who choose this specialization often plan to pursue careers as professors, educational psychologists, researchers, program administrators, or consultants.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Psych - General Psychology
This online psychology PhD specialization offers you the opportunity to create an individualized, academic-track program designed to meet your professional goals and research interests. Choose established areas of psychological study such as addiction, family, or health psychology, or design an interdisciplinary program that blends psychology with education, business, or human services courses. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing faculty or administrative training positions in higher education, business or the military, or careers in consulting, institutional research, or program evaluation or administration.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Psych - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Improve your career opportunities in the growing field of industrial/organizational psychology through this doctoral specialization designed to deepen your knowledge of workplace and organizational behavior, and demonstrate your own research-based contributions to the field. You will gain a strong foundation in adult, social, and group psychology, as well as advanced testing, statistical and research methodology. People who choose this specialization often pursue higher education faculty positions, leadership positions in training or human resources, or consulting or executive coaching positions.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in HS - Counseling Studies
Enhance your career opportunities while contributing to the field of counseling through doctoral research. This online PhD Counseling Studies specialization offers a broad overview of advanced research and study in counseling theory and techniques, including contemporary and emerging issues in the field, as well as specialized courses in such areas as human sexuality, grief and bereavement counseling, child and adolescent counseling, geriatric mental health issues, and compulsive and addictive behaviors. People who choose this specialization are often human service or counseling professionals pursuing leadership, consulting or faculty positions in public or private human services or educational settings.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in HS - General Human Services
The General Human Services PhD specialization is designed for professionals in a wide range of human services and health care fields who wish to advance their knowledge and careers, and contribute to the field through doctoral research. The core courses provide an overview of the human services field's most relevant content, including adult development, diversity, ethics, strategic planning, and the impact of today’s changing health care industry on human services. A wide range of elective courses provides you the flexibility to focus on a specific area of human services, such as counseling, family therapy, public safety, or social services. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing higher education faculty or human service leadership positions in social service, education, government, public safety, health care, and military organizations.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in HS - Health Care Administration
Strengthen your scholarly knowledge and practitioner skills to advance your career in the fast-growing field of health care administration. This online Health Care Administration specialization includes advanced research and course work in analysis, strategic planning, organizational change, ethics, law, and quality improvement, focused on the health care field. People who choose this specialization are often experienced health care professionals or managers who seek higher education faculty positions or high-level leadership or consulting positions in a variety of private and public health care settings.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in HS - Management of Nonprofit Agencies
Increased demand for services, heightened government oversight, and competition for scarce resources have made nonprofit management skills more critical than ever. This Management of Nonprofit Agencies PhD specialization allows you to explore your own nonprofit research interests while deepening your knowledge of contemporary business and social issues faced by nonprofit leaders. The specialization includes nonprofit-focused course work in workplace diversity, board management, advocacy, fundraising, ethics, program management, and resource management. People who choose this specialization often wish to pursue higher education faculty or leadership positions in nonprofit organizations or are considering starting their own nonprofit organization.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in HS - Social and Community Services
Prepare yourself for community leadership by deepening your knowledge of contemporary societal issues and contributing to field through your own doctoral research. The curriculum for this Social and Community Services specialization offers in-depth study of major community and social work issues and social science research, along with elective courses that allow you to focus on areas that reflect your professional interests and career goals. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing higher education faculty positions, or advanced research, consulting or leadership positions in public or private organizations focused on serving community needs.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Public Safety - Public Safety Leadership
Hone your expertise and advance your career in the growing field of public safety leadership. This PhD in Public Safety specialization combines doctoral research and a deep exploration of leadership and organizational theories, with courses that emphasize management skills, such as needs assessment, human resources, training, diversity, and labor relations. This doctoral specialization takes public safety leadership to the executive level for those who plan to lead, teach, or consult in the field of public safety, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, criminal justice, corrections and other public and private security and protective professions.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in Public Safety - Emergency Management
With natural and man-made disasters stretching the capacity of responding agencies throughout the nation and around the world, the need for leaders in the field of emergency management has never been greater. This Emergency Management PhD specialization is designed to create scholar-practitioners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to oversee emergency organizations, teach tomorrow's leaders, and consult on the effective management of complex emergency situations, including proactively eliminating or mitigating crises before they happen. Courses include case studies from Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents and the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and opportunities for your own doctoral research to advance the field of emergency management.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
PhD in HS – Counselor Education and Supervision
Counseling is one of the country’s fastest growing professions, creating an accompanying need for counseling educators and supervisors. This rigorous Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral degree program includes online course work, residencies, and field experiences designed to build your clinical, teaching, research, and supervisory skills. Capella’s degree program is one of few available online, and provides opportunities for you to potentially fulfill your internship experience working with counseling students enrolled in Capella’s CACREP-accredited master’s specializations. People likely to be interested in this specialization include master’s level counselors interested in pursuing supervisory, faculty, research, or advanced practitioner positions in academic and clinical settings.
The residential colloquia experience
As a doctoral learner, you will attend three six-day colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond.
Clinical training requirements: 100 practicum hours, 600 pre-doctoral internship hours, and accompanying course work.
Applicants to the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision must be graduates of a CACREP-accredited master's program or a master's program with equivalent curriculum (subject to Capella review).
EdD - Educational Leadership and Management
Develop the diverse IT and business skills you need to master this emerging, in-demand occupation that focuses on aligning enterprise-wide IT solutions with business strategies. In this Enterprise Software Architecture specialization, you will analyze IT problems in distributed enterprises and refine your ability to design, propose, implement, and manage solutions using technologies such as service-oriented architecture (SOA), distributed databases, and Web services. You will have access to Capella's Virtual Lab Environment, which allows you to develop and test technology projects in an environment that closely mirrors real-life settings. People who choose this specialization are often working IT professionals who want to pursue careers as systems architects, technical officers, or software engineers.
Review of this specialization is pending in AR, AZ, KY, OH, SC, and WA.
MS in Ed - Training and Performance Improvement
Increase your career potential by earning the only master's Training and Performance Improvement specialization that includes valuable certification in ROI MethodologyTM from the ROI InstituteTM. Based on the American Society for Training and Development's (ASTD) Human Performance Improvement Model, this online program is designed to teach you how to apply human performance technology to improve organizational productivity. Course topics include analyzing systems performance; selecting, designing and implementing performance improvement solutions; and evaluating return on investment data to support training and performance improvement efforts in the workplace. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing advanced training, instructional design, or consulting positions in business, health care, government, or the military.
MS in Psych - Sport Psychology
Learn to apply psychological principles with amateur and professional athletics to address such issues as performance enhancement, individual and team motivation, injury recovery, and stress management. People who choose this online Sport Psychology specialization are often seeking performance improvements or career advancements in school coaching or physical education positions, or in coaching or instructional positions in park and recreation departments, fitness clubs, sports camps, or wellness programs.
Residency requirements: None
BS in Technology - Software Architecture
Software architecture, one of the fastest growing job sectors in the country, focuses on integrating and maintaining complex software systems within an organization. This specialization offers courses in software development, design, and construction in multiple platforms, including Web and mobile. It also emphasizes project management and communication skills, providing a blend of business and technology skills increasingly valued in today's businesses. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing technical specialist positions in software, data, or applications architecture; software development; or database administration.
MS in Public Health - Social and Behavioral Sciences
Explore the behavioral, psychological, and social factors that influence the health of national and international communities and populations. This Social and Behavioral Sciences master’s specialization provides an overview of public health issues and administrative systems, as well as focused course work on such topics as social and behavioral theory, research, assessment and surveillance; health disparities; international public health; and public health information for diverse populations. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in public health or social welfare organizations that focus on research, community assessment, or program development and evaluation.
MS in HS - Social and Community Services
Strengthen your ability to advocate for and facilitate positive change in your community with this Social and Community Services master's specialization. The curriculum is designed to increase your understanding of such critical issues as cultural awareness, utilization of community resources, social change, and public policy. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing management or community outreach positions in public or private organizations focused on serving community needs.
BS in Public Safety - Security Management
Prepare yourself to assume a leadership role in the growing field of private security. Private security professionals are responsible for protecting the vast majority of the nation’s infrastructure, 85 percent of which is privately owned. They are also increasingly recognized as being integral to the central business functions of corporations that must protect their operations against fraud, information and property theft, workplace violence, terrorism, and other security concerns. Capella's Security Management curriculum includes courses covering such topics as leadership; information, operational, commercial, and retail security; executive protection; laws and legal procedures; and security management in a global business environment. A capstone project provides an opportunity to apply and demonstrate your security management skills. People who choose this specialization may include military, public safety, or private security personnel who wish to pursue management positions focused on private security risk management and asset protection.
The National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have designated Capella University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE).
MS in Psych - School Psychology
Prepare yourself to address the social, emotional, academic, behavioral, and cognitive well-being of children and adolescents within a school setting. This rigorous School Psychology specialization stresses respect for individual differences, collaborative problem solving, and empirically-based interventions. It includes online course work, part I of a year-in-residence, and field training experiences. Learners interested in applying for state licensure or national certification as a school psychologist will need to enroll in both this master's degree specialization and the Specialist Certificate in School Psychology. People who choose this specialization are typically pursuing careers as school psychologists, diagnosticians, crisis specialists, or program evaluators in public school districts, but may also seek employment in other educational settings.
Residency Requirements: Year-in-residence Part I (two residential colloquia and four weekends-in-residence). See year-in-residence details
Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure please see our licensure FAQ.
MS in HS - School Counseling
The demand for qualified school counselors is expected to grow as school enrollments increase, more states pass counseling mandates, and school counselors take on expanded roles. This School Counseling master’s specialization is built on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and includes course work, field training, and residencies. It is designed to prepare you to deliver and manage contemporary school counseling programs, and act as a school leader who can advocate for the personal, educational, and social needs of students. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing licensure as school counselors.
This specialization requires course work, field training including a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, and two six-day residencies.
Residency Requirements: Two six-day residencies (HS-R5910, HS-R5911). See residential colloquia details.
MS in Ed - Reading and Literacy
Capella is unique among online universities in offering a master's specialization in Reading and Literacy that is state-approved, which is a requirement for licensure in some states. Developed around the nationally recognized reading standards of the Interstate Reading Association, this specialization is designed to prepare K–12 classroom teachers to assess literacy, and to develop, implement, and adapt reading curriculum to accommodate diverse learning styles. People who choose this specialization are often licensed K–12 teachers who want to enhance student reading skills in their own classrooms or train others on best practices in reading instruction at a building or district level.
BS in Business - Retail Management
Increase your career opportunities in the dynamic, diverse retail industry. Many retailers prefer a business-focused college degree when hiring or promoting to fill professional, supervisory, or managerial positions. This undergraduate Retail Management specialization offers a strong foundation in general business disciplines, including management, marketing, human resources, organizational communications, and finance. The retail-focused course work includes retail management, store operations, merchandising, pricing, competitive analysis and planning, and legal and ethical considerations in managing a retail operation. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing lead, supervisory, or management positions at the retail store level, or specialist/analyst positions within a retail department or corporate headquarters.
MS in Public Safety - Public Safety Leadership
With the field of public safety becoming broader and more complex, there is increased demand for public safety leaders who are knowledgeable on a range of public safety, criminal justice, and emergency preparedness issues, and have the business and human resources skills to effectively manage a complex organization. The master's-level specialization is designed to prepare you to handle the many facets of public safety leadership through course work that includes human development and behavior, organizational leadership, accounting and finance, and training and performance improvement. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing career advancement or consulting careers in law enforcement, fire services, emergency response, and other public safety professions.
MS in IT - Project Management and Leadership
With today's smaller budgets and tighter deadlines, IT project managers who can deliver the desired results, on time and on budget, are a valuable business resource, especially those with the advanced skills needed to oversee multiple projects spanning a range of geographic locations. This online project management master's specialization is mapped to "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge" (PMBOK) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and includes Capella’s award-winning course in Project Management for Technology Professionals. Because Capella is a Registered Education Provider of the Project Management Institute (PMI), you can earn your master's in project management from Capella and professional development units (PDUs) from PMI at the same time. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management, director-level, or consulting positions overseeing and managing technology projects and teams.
MBA - Project Management
In today’s competitive business environment, in which technology skills are often outsourced, many businesses consider skills related to project management and business capabilities as critical to keep in-house. This project management MBA, based on the knowledge areas established by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is designed to sharpen your project management skills, including project planning, risk management, and project procurement. Through core business courses, you will also strengthen your overall business acumen to build the perspective you need to interact effectively with other managers to meet business goals. A capstone course allows you to apply your skills in planning, managing, and controlling the process to complete the project on time and on budget. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing project management, director-level, or consulting positions, especially those that are more business than IT-focused.
BS in Business - Project Management
With today's smaller budgets and tighter deadlines, project managers who can deliver the desired results on time and on budget are a valuable business resource. Develop the skills to effectively lead and manage complex information technology projects with this Project Management specialization built around the competencies in "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge"(PMBOK® Guide), a globally recognized standard for project management. Because Capella is a Registered Education Provider of the Project Management Institute (PMI), you can earn your bachelor's in project management and professional development units (PDUs) from PMI at the same time. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing project lead or coordinator positions with corporations, consulting firms, or government agencies.
MS in Ed - Professional Studies in Education
This Professional Studies in Education specialization is designed for educators working in a variety of educational, business, and community settings, as well as those wishing to move into the field of training or adult education. The flexible program provides a foundation in educational philosophy, assessment, and theory, and allows optimal opportunity to build upon previous knowledge and experience, and choose courses most interesting or relevant to current work situations or career aspirations. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing postsecondary faculty or K–12 master teacher positions, or education, training, or consulting positions in business, nonprofit organizations, the military, health care, or government.
MS in Ed - Postsecondary and Adult Education
Enrich your understanding of the unique needs of adult learners and increase your career opportunities in college teaching, one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. This online master's specialization is designed to provide you the tools you need to design, deliver and manage effective instruction programs for adults in a variety of settings, including online education, workforce development, continuing education, higher education, and military education. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing postsecondary faculty, corporate training, or adult education positions in the fields of higher education, business, and nonprofit or community education.
MS in Psych - Organizational Leader Development
Position yourself to fill the leadership shortage projected by many of today’s businesses. This specialization focuses on the psychological principles of effective leadership, including course work in group psychology, psychological principles of strategic planning, psychology of leadership, and performance enhancement and motivation. It is designed to enhance your understanding of essential leadership characteristics and prepare you to effectively guide individuals, teams, and organizations. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership or consulting positions within business, government, and other settings.
MS in Org and Mgmt - General Business
Design a master's specialization in Organization and Management that reflects your career interests and goals. Required courses provide an overview of important business functions and skills, including marketing, finance, data analysis, and strategic planning, emphasizing the critical thinking and analytical skills you need to manage real-world business situations. Elective course allow you to focus your study in such areas as leadership or human resources to develop deep subject matter expertise. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management positions in a variety of business, government, and military settings.
BS in Information Technology - Network Technology
Growing regulation of internal information controls and increased security concerns have helped made network technology expertise one of the highest demand skills across all industries. This online bachelor's specialization will help prepare you to pursue this hot career opportunity through network technology classes and hands-on learning in network administration, design, and security. The course work is designed to prepare you to take certification tests from Microsoft, Cisco, and other leading technology organizations, and provide the knowledge necessary to design, maintain, and troubleshoot Internet, intranet, and extranet connections, including local- and wide-area networks. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing technical specialist positions designing, implementing, and maintaining networks in both the public and private sector.
MS in IT - Network Architecture and Design
The growth in government regulation of internal information controls and increased security concerns have helped made network technology expertise one of the highest demand skills across all industries. Prepare yourself to assume higher-level positions in the field with this network architecture master’s specialization, built around the competencies contained in the industry-standard certifications of CISCO and Microsoft. Learn the skills you need to design, maintain, and troubleshoot network connections, build your knowledge in developing security and disaster recovery plans, and gain the technical leadership skills you need to design and implement high-quality networks that support business needs. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing senior management or team leader roles in the field of network management.
MS in Psych – Child and Adolescent Development
Take advantage of this unique online opportunity to advance your skills and position yourself for leadership in organizations and professions serving children and adolescents. Capella offers the only master’s specialization in Child and Adolescent Development available from an online, regionally accredited university. The curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge, theory, and best practices needed to promote and support the development of children and adolescents. Courses cover such topics as prenatal, child, and adolescent development; familial, societal, and cultural influences; psychological and educational measurement theory; and research methodology. People likely to be interested in this specialization include professionals working in social services, health care, government, and education who wish to pursue leadership positions in organizations that serve children and adolescents.
Residency requirements: None
Residency requirements: None
MS in Org Development - General Organizational Development
The effective use of organizational development skills has become recognized as one of the most effective HR tools for promoting successful change in organizations. This master’s specialization in General Organizational Development offers a multi-disciplinary, practitioner approach to organizations and systems, emphasizing a consultative, process-oriented methodology. Based on the competencies outlined by leading organizations in the organizational development field, the curriculum includes current theory and best practices in such areas as organizational systems and dynamics, process consultation, assessments and interventions, and talent management and motivation. People likely to be interested in this specialization include mid-level HR professionals and managers who wish to pursue organizational development specialist or management positions or broaden their portfolio of HR skills to include the growing discipline of organizational development.
MS in Human Resource Mgmt - Legal Studies
Capella’s MS in Human Resource Management, Legal Studies specialization, provides a unique opportunity to earn an advanced HR degree focused on employment and labor law. This area of knowledge has become desirable for certain HR professionals, such as employee benefits managers, who must interpret the growing number of workplace laws and regulations. Specialization topics include practice and theory of constitutional, tort, and labor and employment law; employee discrimination; fact investigation; and workplace legal communications and actions. You will learn to examine and apply select business and legal practices and theories in order to establish and maintain legal compliance while achieving business goals. People likely to be interested in the Legal Studies specialization include mid-level HR professionals and managers who want to gain a deeper understanding of this field in order to advance or be recognized as experts in employment law and legal practices in the workplace.
MS in Human Resource Mgmt - Human Capital Mgmt
Take advantage of one of the few opportunities nationwide to earn an advanced degree with a specialization in the emerging discipline of Human Capital Management. Capella’s curriculum includes an HR-focused overview of key business skills, along with advanced human capital management topics, including decision science, talentship, human capital management metrics, and knowledge systems. You will also examine new paradigms for engaging, managing, and measuring human asset productivity relative to achieving business goals. People likely to be interested in this specialization include mid-level HR professionals and managers who want to gain a deeper understanding of human capital management in order to advance or be recognized as experts in this field.
MS in Human Resource Mgmt -General
Today’s human resource managers are increasingly viewed as strategic business partners and are expected to contribute both specialized HR knowledge and a broad understanding of business needs and strategies. This General Human Resource Management master’s specialization is designed to help you deepen your human resources subject matter expertise and strengthen your ability to think beyond functional boundaries, positioning yourself to become an important partner in developing and implementing workplace strategies that deliver business results. People likely to be interested in the General Human Resource Management specialization include mid-level HR professionals and managers who wish to advance in their professions and become strategic leaders in their organizations.
MS in HR Mgmt - Industrial and Labor Relations
Capella University offers one of the few opportunities to earn a master’s degree specializing in Industrial and Labor Relations, a field in which graduate-level studies are often desired. Capella’s MS in Human Resource Management, with a specialization in Industrial and Labor Relations, offers a foundational understanding of the factors influencing the relationships between employees and organizations, including theories and best practices for today’s global workplace. Specialization topics include industrial labor relations from historical, legislative, and practice perspectives; unionism; labor law and workplace governance; the employer-employee relationship; labor management; and labor relations models and movements. People likely to be interested in the Industrial and Labor Relations specialization include mid-level HR professionals and managers who want to pursue careers as human resource managers, employee relations managers, employee relations specialists, contract negotiators, dispute mediators, or labor arbitrators.
MS in HS - Mental Health Counseling
Mental health counseling is a field that can bring immense personal satisfaction as well as excellent career opportunities. This CACREP-accredited master’s specialization in Mental Health Counseling is a rigorous program that includes online course work, residencies, and field experiences designed to prepare you for state licensure eligibility.** You will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to assess and treat mental and emotional disorders and promote optimum mental health. People who choose this specialization often pursue mental health counselor positions within institutional, community, and private practice settings.
MBA - Marketing
Prepare yourself to meet the diverse set of marketing challenges present in today's competitive business environment, from understanding the evolving needs of the consumer, to managing sales, to overseeing international marketing and distribution operations. This online marketing MBA is designed to enhance your skills in such marketing-focused areas as market research, consumer behavior, product development, and relationship management, while expanding your core business knowledge and skill areas to build the perspective you need to interact effectively with executive management as a strategic partner. You will have the opportunity to synthesize and apply what you have learned into a final marketing plan. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management and director-level positions in marketing, sales, advertising, corporate communications, events, or public relations departments or firms. This program can be completed in two years.
MS in HS - Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy
Position yourself for increased career opportunities and job satisfaction in the fast-growing counseling field. This CACREP-accredited master's specialization in Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy is a rigorous program that includes online course work, residencies, and field experiences designed to prepare you for state licensure eligibility.** You will learn to apply family systems theories and therapeutic techniques to address a wide range of relationship issues and to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders and problems within the family system.
MS in HS - Management of Nonprofit Agencies
As careers evolve, seasoned human services professionals often wish to move from direct service delivery into higher positions where they can guide an organization's strategy or establish new programs to address emerging needs. This Management of Nonprofit Agencies specialization offers practical course work focused on contemporary issues faced by nonprofit agencies, including financial management, nonprofit entrepreneurship, ethnic and cultural awareness, strategic planning, and human resources and volunteer management. People who choose this specialization often wish to advance to nonprofit management positions or are considering starting their own nonprofit organization.
BS in Business - Management and Leadership
In today's efficiency-driven business environment, the ability to lead people and manage resources continues to be increasingly important. The focus of this business specialization in Management and Leadership is on developing the skills and competencies necessary to successfully manage people and organizations within a for-profit, nonprofit or government organization. Your course work will provide an overview of key business areas to increase your ability to effectively partner with functions across your organization, while building such management and leadership-focused skills as team collaboration, operations management, strategic planning, and change management. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing team lead or supervisory positions in business, retail, government, or military organizations.
MS in Ed - Leadership in Educational Administration
Develop the skills and knowledge to successfully meet the rigors and enjoy the rewards of K–12 leadership, a field where retirements are resulting in a growing need for new practitioners. This online master’s Leadership in Educational Administration specialization meets nationally recognized leadership standards, including the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC). It is also one of very few online programs that is state-approved, which is a requirement for licensure in some states. You will have opportunities to apply theory to real-world situations and develop a professional professional portfolio that will enable you to demonstrate your master’s-level competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization are often licensed teachers or school administrators pursuing building leadership or district administrator positions.
MS in Ed - Leadership for Higher Education
Position yourself for career advancement with this Leadership for Higher Education specialization that integrates current theory, best practices, and opportunities for practical application. Working with experienced leaders in higher education, you will gain valuable insights on directing student services departments within community and technical colleges, universities, and other higher education organizations. You will have opportunities to develop your skills in such areas as change management, legal issues in higher education, funding and management of higher education institutions, and educational politics and history. People who choose this specialization are often student services professionals pursuing supervisory or director-level positions in higher education settings.
MS in Org and Mgmt - Leadership
Leaders who understand change management and the importance of ethical conduct position themselves to thrive in today’s complex and global business environment. This Leadership master’s specialization offers an in-depth study of leading theories and best practices that successful leaders employ to manage change and achieve organizational objectives. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership or management positions in military, government, business, and nonprofit settings.
MS in Psych - Leadership Coaching Psychology
Sharpen your skills and establish your credentials in the fast-growing field of executive coaching. This specialization offers a rare opportunity to develop coaching expertise within an MS in Psychology program. The curriculum, based on competencies outlined by the International Coaching Federation and the Society for Industrial Psychology, prepares you to apply psychological theory and practices to help organizational leaders meet their professional and personal potential. People who choose this specialization are often organizational, clinical, or counseling psychologists who want to develop a coaching practice, or human resources professionals with internal responsibility for executive coaching and leadership development.
MS in Ed - K-12 Studies in Education
Create an individualized doctoral program that fits your unique K–12 research interests. Complement such core course work as advanced research, educational philosophy, advanced learning theory, and K–12 history and politics with electives in such areas as adult learning, mathematics, science, educational leadership, and virtual school instruction and assessment strategies. Throughout the program you will build a professional portfolio that will enable you to demonstrate your doctoral competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization, which was built around nationally recognized teaching standards, are often licensed K–12 teachers and administrators interested in career advancement, consulting positions, or higher education faculty positions.
BS in Information Technology - Project Management
With today's smaller budgets and tighter deadlines, project managers who can deliver the desired results on time and on budget are a valuable business resource. Develop the skills to effectively lead and manage complex information technology projects with this project management specialization built around the competencies in "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge"(PMBOK® Guide), a globally recognized standard for project management. Because Capella is a Registered Education Provider of the Project Management Institute (PMI), you can earn your bachelor's in project management and professional development units (PDUs) from PMI at the same time. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing project lead or coordinator positions with corporations, consulting firms, or government agencies.
MS in Ed - Instructional Design for Online Learning
Prepare yourself to be a part of the growing field of online education. Study online instructional design in an online environment from a university that is considered one of the leaders in the field. Through a curriculum that balances instructional design, the psychology of learning, and technology, you will focus on the practice of online instructional design, including designing effective instruction, methods of online delivery, software tools, and project management. People who choose this specialization are often training or education professionals pursuing instructional design specialist or developer positions in a variety of online learning settings, including educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care, or government.
MBA - Information Technology Management
With the expanded use of information technology in all facets of business, including e-commerce, skilled professionals who possess both information technology and business expertise are in high demand. This information technology MBA is designed to help you develop the skills you need to leverage information technology to enhance business competitiveness, assess the impact of advances in technology on business, and interact effectively with executive management as a strategic business partner. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management and director-level positions in IT functions that require both information technology and business expertise.
MS in IT - General Information Technology
Design a master's degree in information technology that meets your professional interests and provides the business knowledge and IT skills needed to make significant, far-reaching contributions to your organization. Choose a broad range of IT electives or focus your study in such areas as information security, networking, project management, health informatics, or enterprise architecture. You will have access to Capella's Virtual Lab Environment, which allows you to develop and test technology projects in an environment that closely mirrors real-life settings. People who choose this specialization are often working IT professionals who want to advance to supervisory or management positions or people with bachelor’s degrees in related fields interested in pursuing senior-level or management careers in information technology.
BS in Information Technology - General
Five of the top 10 fastest growing jobs that require bachelor's degrees are in the field of information technology. Position yourself to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities with this General Information Ttechnology bachelor's degree designed to build both technical and business skills, a combination that is increasingly valued by today's employers. Through your choice of electives, you can design a broad program that touches on several IT disciplines or narrow your focus to deepen your knowledge in your niche area of information technology, including networking, Web development, project management, or information security. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing entry- or senior-level technical specialist positions in a variety of IT-related fields.
MS in IT - Information Assurance and Security
The need to protect enterprises against threats to information system availability, integrity, and confidentiality has made information security expertise a valuable skill within businesses, government agencies, and military organizations. This online master's in information security, designed around the domains of knowledge in the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) certification, combines technical and policy-focused course work designed to provide the skills you need to protect the security of information systems while supporting organizational goals. It also features a Virtual Lab Environment that allows you to test open vulnerabilities and simulate and protect against attacks on system design, and to create a professional project portfolio that demonstrates your master’s level competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing information security management or consulting positions in businesses, government, and the military.
BS in Information Technology - Information Assurance and Security
Information systems play an important role in the infrastructure that supports commerce, banking, telecommunications, health care, and national security, driving the need for qualified informational assurance and security specialists. New financial and health care regulations related to privacy and security, along with a growing move to more vulnerable wireless systems, have also increased the importance of these skills. This Information Assurance and Security bachelor’s specialization is designed to help you acquire and apply the latest tools, techniques, and methods of securing an enterprise, while building the business and communication skills you need to influence internal decision making and enhance organizational effectiveness.
The courses in this specialization reflect the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP®) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) body of knowledge frameworks developed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). People who choose this specialization are often pursuing technical specialist or analyst-level information security positions in businesses, government, and the military.
MS in Psych - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Businesses pursuing increased employee engagement, worker productivity and team building often seek candidates with skills in industrial/organizational psychology, a field that applies behavioral principles and research findings to organizational settings. Through this online industrial and organizational psychology specialization you will learn leading-edge assessment techniques, leadership and group development theories, conflict management strategies, and other techniques for increasing motivation and improving workplace performance. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing community college instructor positions or managerial or consulting positions in training, human resources, or executive coaching.
Residency requirements: None
MBA - Human Resource Management
Human resource managers are increasingly recognized as important contributors to overall business success. This MBA specialization in Human Resource Management is designed to strengthen your ability to perform this strategic role. The course work provides an overview of important business functions and key human resource areas, mapped to the competencies identified by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®). The emphasis is on immediate application of the knowledge, competencies, and skills necessary to integrate business and human resource strategies. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing human resource management positions in a business setting.
BS in Business - Human Resource Management
Over the last decade, the human resource function has moved beyond personnel management and development to become a strategic cornerstone in many organizations, increasing the need for professionals with specialized human resources skills, as well as a sound foundation of general business skills. This Human Resource Management bachelor's specialization, mapped to the competencies identified by the Society for Human Resource Management's "The Competency Model for the New HR," offers a strong background in human resource functions, including compensation and benefits management, recruiting and retention, employee development, and labor relations. It also provides an overview of key business areas to increase your ability to effectively partner with other functions and contribute to your company’s success. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing entry-level or senior specialist positions in recruitment, compensation, benefits, labor relations, and other human resources fields.
BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
Pursue a homeland security career and help protect your country's citizens, lands, and property. This specialization focuses on managing public security in conjunction with federal resources. The curriculum includes course work on such topics as domestic and international terrorism; multijurisdictional coordination; and diplomatic, technological, and intelligence approaches to national security. A capstone project provides an opportunity to apply and demonstrate your leadership skills in the growing field of homeland security. People who choose this specialization may wish to pursue career advancement or deeper expertise in federal, state, or local security/enforcement agencies, or to transition from the military into a civilian homeland security career.
The National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have designated Capella University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE).
MS in Public Health - Management and Policy
Strengthen your ability to influence public health policy and lead efforts to improve the health of communities and targeted populations. This Health Management and Policy master's specialization features a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the study of public health issues and concepts with public health-focused course work in such areas as management, organizational and financial theory and practice, strategic planning, economics, and communication. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in government, private, or community-based public or environmental health organizations.
BS in Technology - Health Informatics
More new jobs are being created in health care than any other field. At the same time, mandated electronic recordkeeping and tightened patient privacy regulations are making health informatics a sought-after skill. This specialization is designed to prepare you to use technology to improve health care quality and lower health care costs. Course work covers such topics as electronic information system management, information security, data integrity, and regulatory compliance. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing information technology specialist positions in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems.
MS in IT - Health Information Management
Electronic recordkeeping and patient privacy mandates have created an increased demand for IT professionals in health care settings. This Health Information Management master’s specialization offers health care-focused course work on information systems, databases, system security, data analysis, system support, and strategic management, along with overviews of important IT and business topics. The curriculum follows the model curriculum of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the approval criteria of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management (CAHIIM). It is designed to help you use information management and security to support efficient, accurate health care delivery and management. People who choose this specialization are often IT professionals pursuing health information management or consulting positions in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems.
MBA - Health Care Management
Increase your career potential in the fast-growing field of health care management, where a master's degree is the standard credential for most positions. This MBA health care management specialization is designed to strengthen the management and business skills you need to function effectively within the health care industry. The curriculum, designed using guidelines outlined by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, includes a thorough study of health care strategic and financial management, health care policy analysis, and legal and ethical considerations within the industry. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing mid-level management or executive positions in the health care industry or in organizations serving the health care industry.
MS in HS - Health Care Administration
In the fast-growing field of health care management, a master's degree is the standard credential for most positions. This online health care administration master’s program can make it more possible to earn this credential while continuing to work in the field. The specialization covers a wide range of health care management topics, including managed care, policy, law, finance, quality improvement and other course work designed to enhance your ability to successfully guide and strengthen the delivery of health services to consumers. People who choose this specialization are often health care professionals who wish to pursue management or director positions in a variety of health care settings.
MBA - Global Ops and Supply Management
Advance your knowledge of both global operations and supply chain management with this MBA specialization, one of the few online MBAs to address both areas of expertise. Effective supply chain management is increasingly recognized as a competitive differentiator among companies, and rapid globalization has created an even more urgent need for these in-demand skills. This Global Operations and Supply Chain Management MBA specialization is designed to provide you with a foundational understanding of company operations from a global perspective, with a focus on the leveraging effects of the supply chain on organizational performance. The curriculum covers such topics as global supply chain design and management, integrated logistics, global strategic sourcing, knowledge management systems, and financial management. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or consulting positions in operations, supply chain management, manufacturing, purchasing, or related fields. This program can be completed in two years.
MS in HS - Gerontology
The number of people ages 65 and older is expected to double in the next few decades, creating a demand for health and human service professionals with gerontology skills. Capella's online degree specialization in Gerontology offers a comprehensive examination of the impact of aging on individuals, families, and communities. The curriculum covers such topics as the biological, epidemiological, psychological, and social changes caused by the aging process; cultural and social attitudes toward the aging; care and services that promote productive aging; multigenerational relationships; and the impact of an aging demographic on public policy. Individuals with degree specializations in gerontology can attain careers in many fields. People who choose this specialization may wish to pursue careers in management, education, or research with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or health care facilities that work with an aging population.
MS in Psych - General Psychology
This online General Psychology specialization allows you to gain a broad introduction to the field of psychology, then use electives to focus your study in particular fields. Choose established areas of psychological study such as addiction, family, or health psychology, or design an interdisciplinary program that blends psychology with education, business, or human services courses. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing specialist or supervisory positions in mental health and other human service and health care organizations, or wish to explore a broad psychological curriculum in preparation for doctoral studies within a more focused area of interest.
Residency requirements: None
Note: Master's degree requirements in this program do not prepare graduates for licensure as a professional counselor or psychologist.
MS in HS - General Human Services
In the human services field, an advanced degree can be a significant career differentiator. This master's General Human Services specialization offers you the opportunity to build on your current knowledge, and advance your skills and career options through an individualized program. The core courses provide a strong foundation in the field, while a wide range of electives provides you with the flexibility to develop a distinctive program of study based on your personal areas of interests and professional goals. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing human service management positions in social service, education, government, public safety, health care, and military organizations.
MBA - Finance
Enhance your general business acumen while expanding your knowledge in such areas of finance as investment and portfolio management, international finance, bank management, risk management, or financial markets. This finance MBA specialization is designed to help you build the financial analysis and strategic perspective you need to interact effectively with executive management as a partner in making key business decisions. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing middle- to senior-level management positions in financial institutions or finance departments. This program can be completed in two years.
BS in Business - Finance
Regulatory reforms and economic expansion have driven growth in the financial sector, including financial analyst and personal financial advisor positions. This online finance specialization is designed to provide you the financial management, interpersonal, and professional skills you need to help companies or individuals achieve optimal returns while maintaining financial and reporting integrity. Your coursework will provide an overview of key business areas to increase your ability to effectively partner with other functions and contribute to your company’s success. Elective courses allow you to deepen your knowledge in such areas as international finance, risk management, entrepreneurial finance, and real estate. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing entry-level or senior professional positions in finance-related occupations or industries, including banking, insurance, investment, mortgage, and brokerage firms.
MS in Psych - Evaluation, Research, and Measurement
Gain a competitive edge in the field of psychology by developing your research, measurement, and evaluation skills. This specialization is designed to strengthen your ability to use quantitative and qualitative data to assist individuals and organizations with planning and decision making. The curriculum includes course work in inferential statistics, research methods, data analysis, survey construction, and program evaluation. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing research or upper-level positions in research, assessment, and analysis with higher education, credentialing, or accrediting agencies.
MS in IT - Enterprise Software Architecture
Strengthen your credentials in the fast-growing field of business analysis, which demands a combination of strong business and IT skills. Based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), the curriculum covers such topics as eliciting and analyzing business needs; determining, developing, and communicating IT project requirements; and implementing and monitoring IT solutions that meet business goals. Capella’s Business Analysis specialization provides a unique opportunity to develop these skills online. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing staff or consulting positions as business or computer system analysts.
Review of this specialization is pending in AR, AZ, KY, OH, SC, and WA.
MS in Ed - Enrollment Management
This unique enrollment management specialization is the only specialization program that leads to both a master's degree and a professional certificate in Enrollment Management from Noel-Levitz, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in higher education recruitment and retention. The curriculum focuses on effective enrollment management, student retention, marketing strategies, technology applications, and strategic enrollment planning. You will have an opportunity to immediately apply your new skills to real-world higher education demands by creating and implementing an enrollment management strategic plan. People who choose this specialization are often professional student services staff interested in advancing to higher education management or leadership positions in enrollment, financial aid, admissions, student affairs, and registrar departments.
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
Major disasters around the world have brought heightened appreciation for emergency professionals with the leadership skills to field manage complex, crisis situations, and coordinate the many agencies that often join forces to address emergency situations. This Emergency Management specialization is designed to deepen your understanding of the dynamics of all phases of natural and man-made disasters, including dealing with various human reactions, critical incident stress management, risk assessment, evaluation, and analysis, and managing critical incidents via the National Incident Management System (NIMS). People who choose this specialization often work in law enforcement, fire service, or other security or emergency management fields who want to expertly manage critical incidents.
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
Advance your career in the fast-growing field of emergency management. This undergraduate specialization provides an overview of public safety research, theory, and principles within an emergency management framework. The curriculum focuses on such topics as emergency planning and decision-making, homeland security, disaster response and recovery, and hazard identification and mitigation. A capstone project provides the opportunity to apply and demonstrate emergency management skills gained during the course of the program. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing career advancement or deeper expertise in emergency management, or are planning to transition from the military into a civilian public safety career.
MS in Psych - Educational Psychology
Gain an understanding of the psychological foundations of education, instructional strategies and designs, psychological research, and stages of development for different age groups. You will have opportunities to acquire a broad base of information on learning outcomes, testing, research methods, and data analysis. People who choose this Educational Psychology specialization often plan to pursue faculty positions at community colleges, or managerial or specialist positions in education, training, testing, or research.
Residency requirements: None
MS in Ed - Early Childhood Education
The quality standards of state-funded pre-kindergarten programs have increased substantially in recent years, with 28 states now requiring lead teachers to have specialized training. Capella's master's degree specialization in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare teachers to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. The curriculum includes course work in such topics as child psychology, classroom management, the early childhood learning environment, family engagement, and strategies for eliminating achievement gaps. Elective course work provides you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of learning theories or focus on special education or supervisory skills. People likely to be interested in this specialization include licensed teachers who have a passion for education at the early stages of development and want to pursue specialized preparation in that area, or who want to teach early childhood education in a higher education institution.
MS in Ed - Curriculum and Instruction
Within the fast-growing field of K–12 education, increase your expertise in curriculum and instruction to improve student achievement. This online master's in education specialization focuses on applying current theory, research, and technology to the design of curriculum and instructional models. You will also learn to use assessment, classroom management, and other techniques to strengthen instruction and reduce achievement gaps. Throughout the program you will build a professional portfolio to demonstrate your master's-level competencies to current and future employers. People who choose this specialization are often licensed K–12 teachers and other educational professionals interested in improving their classroom instruction or pursuing leadership positions in curriculum instruction and design within K–12 school districts or government agencies.
BS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
Criminal justice careers put you on the front line, protecting and serving your community. This specialization provides an overview of public safety research, theory and principles, with a focus on criminal justice processes and procedures. Course work includes such topics as corrections and judicial systems, criminal law and the legal process, police-community relations, white collar and organized crime investigations, and criminal procedure and evidence. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing entry-level officer positions or career advancement within law enforcement agencies, corrections departments, and federal regulatory or enforcement agencies.
MS in HS - Counseling Studies
An advanced degree in counseling can be the credential you need to land higher-level human services positions. This non-clinical online Counseling Studies is designed for professionals in the counseling, psychology, or sociology fields who wish to advance their careers, and for those wishing to enter the human services profession. It offers a broad base of course work designed to provide a strong foundation in counseling theory and techniques, with a particular focus on serving diverse populations. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing managerial or director-level positions in public or private human services settings, or in continuing into a doctoral program.
MS in Psych - Counseling Psychology
This master’s in counseling psychology specialization offers a rigorous foundation of courses Counseling Psychology, a generally interventional approach to psychology that focuses on assessing and building on clients’ strengths. You will delve into such topics as counseling theory, individual and group counseling interventions, testing and assessment, research methods, and counseling diagnosis. People who choose this specialization are often planning to pursue a doctoral degree in counseling psychology or in a counseling-related field, but may also pursue counseling, employee assistance, or research positions in social service, health care, business, or educational settings.
Residency Requirements: As part of this program you will attend residential colloquia in addition to your online courses. At specific milestones in your program, you will attend three colloquia, each five days in length. See residential colloquia details
Note: This specialization may be a good first step for those who wish to pursue a PsyD or PhD, which is generally required for licensure as a counseling psychologist.
MS in Psych - Clinical Psychology
Explore the foundational theories and practices of clinical psychology in assessing and treating dysfunctional behavior, including clinical interviewing and interventions, testing and assessment, research methods, psychopathology, and diagnosis. This clinical psychology master's specialization includes a rigorous combination of online course work, residency, and field training experiences. People who choose this specialization are often planning to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, but may also pursue counseling, research or administrative positions in social service, health care, business, or educational settings.
Residency Requirements: As part of this program you will attend residential colloquia in addition to your online courses. At specific milestones in your program, you will attend three colloquia, each five days in length. See residential colloquia details
Clinical Training Requirements: 600 practicum hours and accompanying course work.
Note: This specialization may be a good first step for those who wish to pursue a PsyD or PhD, which is generally required for licensure as a clinical psychologist.
MS in IT - Business Analysis
Strengthen your credentials in the fast-growing field of business analysis, which demands a combination of strong business and IT skills. Based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), the curriculum covers such topics as eliciting and analyzing business needs; determining, developing, and communicating IT project requirements; and implementing and monitoring IT solutions that meet business goals. Capella’s Business Analysis specialization provides a unique opportunity to develop these skills online. People who choose this specialization are often interested in pursuing staff or consulting positions as business or computer system analysts.
Review of this specialization is pending in AR, AZ, KY, OH, SC, and WA.
MBA - General
Build critical business skills and gain the credentials you need to advance your career with this general MBA program. You will engage in a thorough study of core business functions, paired with professional effectiveness course work that emphasizes best practices for leading and managing others in such skill areas as change management, team building, and employee development. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management, director-level, or consulting positions in a wide variety of corporate settings. This program can be completed in two years.
BS in Business - Business Administration
Develop the breadth of management, interpersonal, and professional skills required to advance in today's complex business world. Focus your electives in such areas as finance, accounting, marketing, human resources, or leadership to design a program that meets your professional goals and needs. Others may want to choose a variety of electives to develop knowledge of many different areas of business, some with an eye toward starting their own business, others with a desire to use their skills in a wide range of industries, including health care, financial services, retail, and manufacturing. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing entry-level business positions or seeking to advance their careers in a variety of business functions and settings.
MS in HS - Addiction Counceling
Position yourself for increased career opportunities and job satisfaction in the fast-growing field of addiction counseling. This rigorous program includes online course work, residencies, and clinical experiences designed to develop expertise in addiction counseling, treatment, and prevention. Capella’s curriculum emphasizes holistic treatment of addictions and co-occurring mental illnesses, which can improve the likelihood of successful recovery. Gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to offer integrated addiction recovery services in addiction treatment or general clinical settings. People likely to be interested in this specialization include those who wish to pursue addiction prevention and treatment positions, as well as professionals currently in the field who wish to advance to supervisory or leadership positions.
Residency Requirements: As part of your program you will attend residential colloquia in addition to your online courses. At specific milestones in your program, you will attend two colloquia, each five days in length. For more information on colloquia visit http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/colloquia_schedule.aspx
Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure go to our licensure page at http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/licensure.aspx
MBA - Accounting
New government regulations, greater scrutiny of corporate finances, and business growth have fueled the need for accounting professionals with deep knowledge of the important role accounting information plays in corporate decision-making. This MBA accounting specialization will expand your knowledge in areas such as budget planning and control, audit and evaluation of controls, and financial measurement, documentation, and reporting. This specialization is also designed to help you build the strategic perspective you need to interact effectively with executive management and strengthen your ability to succeed in middle and senior management positions. People who pursue this specialization are often pursuing supervisory or management positions in accounting, auditing, and other financial recording and reporting functions. This program can be completed in two years.
BS in Business - Accounting
New government regulations, greater scrutiny of corporate finances, and business growth have fueled the need for accounting professionals who possess up-to-date financial and business knowledge. This online accounting bachelor's specialization will help you develop the important technical, professional, ethical, and interpersonal skills you need to succeed in this fast-growing field. Your coursework will also provide an overview of key business areas to increase your ability to effectively partner with other functions and contribute to your company’s success. You may delve deeper into certain business areas by selecting elective courses based on your professional goals and needs. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing professional accounting, auditing, or other financial recording and reporting positions in a wide variety of business, nonprofit, government, or financial service settings.

