Step up and lead. Earn your degree at Capella University.
Capella is an accredited, online university with degrees in the fields of business, health care, higher education, human resources, information technology, mental health, K-12 education, public safety, public administration, social work, and public service leadership. More than 38,000 students in all 50 states and 52 countries are enrolled in Capella's challenging degree programs.
Military Benefits:
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.
Step up and lead. Earn your degree at Capella University.
Capella is an accredited, online university with degrees in the fields of business, health care, higher education, human resources, information technology, mental health, K-12 education, public safety, public administration, social work, and public service leadership. More than 38,000 students in all 50 states and 52 countries are enrolled in Capella's challenging degree programs.
Military Benefits:
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.
MHA - Health Policy
Strengthen your ability to develop sound health policies and advocate for effective change. The curriculum for Capella's online MHA is designed around the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model™ and features collaborative, practice-based learning that incorporates industry best practices and the knowledge and skill sets expected by leading health care organizations. The Health Policy specialization focuses on concepts, principles, and processes associated with effective health policy and advocacy, including global health systems, health care policy drivers, and policy and legislative communication. Convenient electronic textbooks lower costs and provide immediate access to course materials. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing senior-level positions focused on health policy and advocacy within health clinics, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other health care facilities.
Review of this program is pending in ND and TN
MHA - Health Care Operations
Increase your foundational knowledge of health administration while delving more deeply into the area of health care operations. The curriculum for Capella's online MHA is designed around the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model™ and features collaborative, practice-based learning that incorporates industry best practices and the knowledge and skill sets expected by leading health care organizations. The Health Care Operations specialization focuses on concepts, principles, and processes associated with effective health care operations, including human capital management, health care consumerism and marketing, and facilities and capital asset management. Convenient electronic textbooks lower costs and provide immediate access to course materials. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing senior-level positions focused on the operation of health clinics, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other health care facilities.
Review of this program is pending in ND and TN
MHA - General Health Administration
Enhance your career and strengthen your ability to successfully administer health care delivery in your organization. The curriculum for Capella's online MHA is designed around the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model™ and features collaborative, practice-based learning that incorporates industry best practices and the knowledge and skill sets expected by leading health care organizations. The General Health Administration specialization focuses on concepts, principles, and processes associated with general health administration, with a choice of topics that include human capital management, health care consumerism and marketing, facilities and capital asset management, comparative models of global health systems, health care policy drivers, and policy and legislative development processes. Convenient electronic textbooks lower costs and provide immediate access to course materials. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing supervisor, manager, or director positions in health care settings, such as health clinics, hospitals, and outpatient care centers.
Review of this program is pending in ND and TN
MSN - Nurse Educator Bridge
The MSN Nurse Educator Bridge specialization provides licensed registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing the opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing. The bridge curriculum incorporates the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice and the Essentials of Master‘s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. You will expand your knowledge of health care systems and policies, patient education, health promotion, and technology integration, with a focus on the design, delivery, assessment, and evaluation of nurse education programs. Courses are taught in a prescribed sequence that builds on your newly developed knowledge and skills. This specialization also offers convenient features such as electronic textbooks and auto-registration for your entire sequence of courses. People likely to be interested in this specialization include registered nurses pursuing advanced positions as nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders in higher education institutions, health care organizations, and the military.
MSN - Nurse Educator
Position yourself to meet the growing need for nurse educators with this MSN Nurse Educator specialization. The curriculum incorporates the Essentials of Master‘s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, with a focus on nursing education. Taught by faculty members with both academic and professional nursing experience, the courses are designed to provide advanced knowledge of nursing theory and practice, as well as the design, delivery, assessment, and evaluation of nurse education programs. Courses are taught in a prescribed sequence that builds on your newly developed knowledge and skills. This specialization also offers convenient features such as electronic textbooks and auto-registration for your entire sequence of courses. People likely to be interested in this specialization include registered nurses pursuing advanced positions as nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders in higher education institutions, health care organizations, and the military.
MS - 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 Methodology™ from the ROI Institute™. 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 - 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
MS - Special Education Teaching
Prepare yourself to help children with learning disabilities achieve academic and lifelong success with this state-approved Special Education Teaching specialization. The curriculum, developed around national special education standards, is designed to help you effectively teach children who have a variety of learning disabilities and come from diverse populations. You will study the latest strategies, practices, and techniques for teaching children with learning disabilities, and participate in field experiences that will allow you to apply your skills in real-life situations. People likely to be interested in this specialization include licensed teachers and special education teachers seeking a license in special education teaching with an endorsement in learning disabilities.
MS - 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.
Concentrations: As part of this specialization, you can use your electives to earn a concentration in Public Health or Homeland Security for no additional time or money.
MS - 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 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). Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure please visit http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/licensure.aspx.
MS - 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 state-approved, CACREP-accredited master's program in School Counseling 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 and clinical experience, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship.
Residency Requirements: Two six-day residential colloquia.
Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure, please visit http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/licensure.aspx.
MS - 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.
MS - 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.
Concentrations: As part of this specialization, you can use your electives to earn a concentration in Public Health or Homeland Security for no additional time or money.
MS - Project Management
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®). Because Capella is a Registered Education Provider of the Project Management Institute (PMI), you can earn your master's degree 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.
MS - Network Architecture
Develop the skills necessary to design, implement, and maintain diverse network environments that meet business needs. This Network Architecture master‘s specialization focuses on Internet, intranet, and extranet design, emerging network technologies, and the integration of divergent and disparate networks. The curriculum is based on the vendor-neutral concepts of network architecture, but also includes a Virtual Lab Environment that offers hands-on experience with vendor-specific network solutions. You will have the opportunity to acquire skills in designing, planning, and maintaining local and wide-area networks (LANs and WANs), and developing and implementing information security and disaster recovery plans. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing senior management or team leader roles in network management and administration, or network architecture and design.
MS - 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 program in Mental Health Counseling offers a rigorous curriculum 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.
This specialization requires course work and clinical experience, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship.
Residency Requirements: Two six-day residential colloquia.
Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure, please visit http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/licensure.aspx.
MS - Marriage and Family Therapy
Position yourself for increased career opportunities and job satisfaction in the fast-growing counseling field. This CACREP-accredited master's program in Marriage and Family Therapy is a rigorous combination of 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 assess and treat mental and emotional disorders and problems within the family system.
This program requires course work and clinical experience, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship.
Residency Requirements: Two six-day residential colloquia.
Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure, please visit http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/licensure.aspx.
MPH - Health Management and Policy
Strengthen your ability to influence public health policy and lead efforts to improve the health of communities and targeted populations. Designed around national public health curriculum standards, this Health Management and Policy specialization features a multidisciplinary approach that combines the study of public health issues and concepts with management sciences knowledge, organizational and financial theory and practice, public administration, and economics. A collaborative project involving local public health organizations is integrated into the curriculum, providing you the opportunity to gain practical knowledge of relevant organizations, programs, and policies. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in government, private, or community-based public health organizations.
MS - 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 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 - 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 degree 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 - Leadership
Position yourself to fill the impending need for strong corporate and organizational leaders as many of today's leaders plan for retirement. This online master's specialization in Leadership emphasizes current and emerging leadership theories, best practices, skills, and tools used to enable organizational innovation, creativity, and change in complex work environments. You will develop your ability to achieve enterprise-wide engagement through collaboration and cooperation; virtual environments and new media; talent development; sustainability; and ethics and social responsibility. At strategic points in your program, you will work with a leadership coach who will help you assess and develop your leadership skills, facilitate the transfer of your academic knowledge into workplace settings, and prepare yourself for leadership longevity. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership or management positions in business, military, government, and nonprofit settings.
MS - 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.
MS - K-12 Studies in Education
Delve into the research-based knowledge, skills, and attitudes of exceptional teachers in this K–12 education specialization designed around nationally recognized teaching standards. Complement such core courses as leadership, curriculum, assessment, and learning theory with electives chosen to meet your educational, personal, professional, or school-site needs. Throughout the program, you will build a 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 K–12 teachers and other educational professionals interested in improving student achievement in their own classroom, or coaching others on these skills in a building- or district-level position or as a community college instructor.
MS - Information Assurance and Security
The need to protect enterprises against threats to information system availability, integrity, and confidentiality has made information assurance and security expertise a valuable skill within businesses, government agencies, and military organizations. This online master's specialization in Information Assurance and Security is designed around the domains of knowledge in the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) certification. The curriculum addresses core information assurance and security topics, including enterprise security and security risk management, as well as such emerging areas as wireless security and computer forensics. It combines technical and policy-focused course work that will strengthen your ability to protect information system security while supporting organizational goals. You will also have access to Capella‘s Virtual Lab Environment, which allows you to test open vulnerabilities and simulate and protect against attacks on system design. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing information security management or consulting positions in business, health care, government, and the military.
MS - 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
MS - General Human Resource Management
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 - 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, decision 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 was developed to align with the 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.
MS - 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 - 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 - 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 - Enterprise Software Architecture
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.
MS - 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
MPA - General Public Administration
Gain the knowledge and expertise needed to move into or advance in the field of public administration. In Capella’s MPA General Public Administration specialization, you’ll learn from faculty who are leaders in the field and bring insights from their experiences in regional, national, and international public sector environments, including the U.N., the U.S. Army, and local and state government agencies. With curriculum designed around national standards, you’ll focus on building public value and learn to foster collaborative relationships with diverse populations. You’ll develop the skills needed to create innovative solutions to public protection, policy, and governance challenges across a variety of fields. You’ll work closely with a global network of experienced faculty and professional peers who enrich your learning throughout your program. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or leadership positions in government agencies, public service organizations, or public-private community networks.
MS - Addiction Counseling
Position yourself for increased career opportunities and job satisfaction in the fast-growing field of addiction counseling. This master's program in Addiction Counseling is designed to develop professionals trained in the areas of addiction counseling, treatment, and prevention. There is a particular emphasis on treating addictions and co-occurring mental health illnesses, which can improve the possibility that your clients will complete treatment and have better post-treatment outcomes. The curriculum covers both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to offer integrated services and treat co-occurring disorders in an addiction counseling or general clinical setting. This rigorous program includes online course work, residencies, and clinical experiences. People likely to be interested in this specialization include addiction prevention and treatment professionals who wish to pursue licensure or certification, or advance to supervisory or leadership positions in the field. This specialization requires course work and clinical experience, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. 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 six days in length. For more information on colloquia visit http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/coll oquia_schedule.aspx Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure go to our licensure page at http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/lice nsure.aspx
MS - Business Analysis
Strengthen your credentials in the fast-growing field of business analysis, which demands a combination of strong business and IT skills. 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.
MS - 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
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 - 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 six 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 - Counseling Psychology
This master‘s in counseling psychology specialization offers a rigorous foundation of courses in 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 six 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 - Criminal Justice
Advance your career and increase your effectiveness in the fields of corrections, criminal justice, or the judicial system by broadening your skill set and deepening your understanding of the complex issues surrounding criminal behavior. This online master‘s in Criminal Justice specialization covers such topics as human behavior, the corrections and judicial systems, social change and public policy, ethnic and cultural awareness, and contributing factors such as addiction. This specialization is designed for caseworkers, probation and parole officers, juvenile specialists, law enforcement agents, and others who want to advance their careers and play a stronger role in facilitating positive change in the criminal justice system. Concentrations: As part of this specialization, you can use your electives to earn a concentration in Public Health or Homeland Security for no additional time or money.
MS - 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.
MS - 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.
MPH - General Public Health
Deepen your knowledge of public health concepts, theories, and practices, and hone your ability to work collaboratively with other public and private sector professionals whose work often intersects with the field of public health. The curriculum, developed around national public health curriculum standards, uses a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes environmental public health concepts; psychological, behavioral, and social factors influencing population-based health disparities; principles of epidemiology and biostatistics; public health administration systems and processes; and economics. Choose elective courses from other MPH specializations that reflect your interests and professional needs. A collaborative project involving local public health organizations is integrated into the curriculum, providing you the opportunity to gain practical knowledge of relevant organizations, programs, and policies. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing supervisory or managerial positions in government, private, or community-based public health organizations.
Review of this specialization is pending in AL, GA, KY, MN, ND, SC, VA, and WA.
MPH - Social and Behavioral Sciences
Explore the behavioral, psychological, and social factors that influence the health of national and international communities and populations. Designed around national public health curriculum standards, this Social and Behavioral Sciences specialization provides an overview of public health issues and administrative systems, as well as focused course work on such topics as social and behavioral theories and research methodologies; program planning and evaluation; assessment and surveillance; health disparities; international public health; and public health information for diverse
populations. A collaborative project involving local public health organizations is integrated into the curriculum, providing you the opportunity to gain practical knowledge of relevant organizations, programs, and policies. 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 - General Career Counseling
Advance your knowledge of career counseling and career development, including both face-to-face counseling and the use of online tools to conduct career counseling at a distance. Designed around leading counseling standards, Capella's MS in Career Counseling is one of very few online master's programs in the field. The rigorous program includes online course work, residencies, and clinical experiences. The curriculum offers a theoretical and practical foundation in the field of career counseling, including administering and interpreting career assessments; developing life, career, and employment plans for clients; working with diverse populations; and planning and managing comprehensive career counseling and development programs. People who choose this specialization may be interested in providing or managing career counseling or development services in a corporate, government, or nonprofit setting; or becoming an independent career counselor.
Review of this specialization is pending in AL, AZ, FL, KS, KY, ND, SC, WA and WI.
MS - Homeland Security
Capella’s MS in Homeland Security prepares you to be a leader in this growing field by equipping you with vital skills in homeland security preparedness, mitigation, and management; cross-functional and media communications; infrastructure, cyber, and border security; and threat analysis and resolution. You will learn from faculty who are leaders in the field, with experience working directly for or with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Security Agency (NSA), and other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. To strengthen the collaboration skills important to managing crisis situations, you’ll participate in Capella’s cutting-edge simulation, Riverbend City, where you will step into various public service leadership roles. By the end of the program, you will have a professional portfolio that demonstrates your homeland security skills and proves your understanding of the concepts that qualify you to be a leader in the field. People who earn this degree often pursue leadership positions in homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, business continuity, information security, and other public and private sector security and crisis management roles.
Review of this program is pending in KS, KY, ND, SC, and TN.
MS - Multidisciplinary Human Services
Strengthen your ability to make a difference in your community. Capella’s online master’s degree specialization in Multidisciplinary Human Services advances the collaboration, advocacy, and communication skills you need to create community value. You’ll learn to integrate best practices and research to promote positive change and be an effective contributor to multidisciplinary initiatives. Designed around educational standards in the field, the specialization deepens your understanding of the human services field, while offering a wide choice of electives that allows you to personalize the program to fit your goals. You may also be able to leverage prior graduate course work through transfer credits. The program’s multidisciplinary approach prepares you for a broad range of advocacy, management, planning, and research positions focused on developing stronger communities.
MSN – Nursing Leadership and Administration
Build critical skills and knowledge to make a bigger impact on health care policies and practices, and to be a leader in high-performing health care organizations. The curriculum, which is modeled on the Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, includes advanced theories, research, and evidence-based practices of nurse executive leadership and administration. You’ll also explore, define, and develop traits that nurse executives need to manage health care quality and safety, manage the finance and operations of the health care organization, lead health care innovations, and respond to health care challenges and trends. Five field experiences, each connected to a specific course in your specialization, offer opportunities to put your courseroom learning into real-world action. Specialization faculty combine top credentials, leadership experience, and backgrounds in frontline nursing. Capella’s multidisciplinary approach to nursing means you’ll prepare to address leadership and administration issues by strategically collaborating with leaders across the public administration, public safety, and health care fields. People interested in this specialization include nurses pursuing nurse executive roles in a variety of health care delivery settings.
Review of this specialization is pending in KS, KY, ND, SC and WA.
North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization
MSN – Diabetes Nursing
Develop the advanced skills and knowledge needed to confront the growing impact of diabetes. Prepare to lead, consult, and educate in diabetes treatment and prevention. The curriculum focuses on theories and evidence-based therapeutics to care for the special needs of individuals and vulnerable populations with diabetes and related conditions. Five field experiences, each connected to a specific course in your specialization, offer opportunities to put your courseroom learning into real-world action. Capella’s Diabetes Nursing specialization incorporates the Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Specialization faculty combine top credentials, leadership experience, and backgrounds in frontline nursing. Capella’s multidisciplinary approach to nursing means you’ll prepare to address diabetes issues by strategically collaborating with leaders across the public administration, public safety, and health care fields. People likely to be interested in this specialization include nurses pursuing advanced roles as diabetes specialists and practitioner-scholars in a variety of research, clinical, and educational settings.
Review of this specialization is pending in KS, KY, ND, SC and WA.
North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization
MSN – Gerontology Nursing
Prepare to meet the growing need for nursing professionals with advanced gerontology skills. The curriculum, which is modeled on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master's Nursing Essentials and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies, focuses on advanced theories, research, and evidence-based practices of caring for the aging client in various settings. You’ll explore the physical, cognitive, emotional, and mental aspects of aging; examine alternative tools and strategies to assist in assessing, diagnosing, and delivering evidence-based care to aging clients; and expand your knowledge of health care laws and policies, health promotion and wellness, and the use of technology in gerontological care. Five field experiences, each connected to a specific course in your specialization, offer opportunities to put your courseroom learning into real-world action. Specialization faculty combine top credentials, leadership experience, and backgrounds in frontline nursing. Capella’s multidisciplinary approach to nursing means you’ll prepare to address gerontology issues by strategically collaborating with leaders across the public administration, public safety, and health care fields. People interested in this specialization include nurses pursuing roles as gerontology nurses, nurse managers, and nurse directors in nonprofit or for-profit health care organizations, long-term care facilities, community or government agencies, community colleges, or universities.
Review of this specialization is pending in KS, KY, ND, SC and WA.
North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization
MS - Adult Education
Prepare to play a vital role in higher education by understanding the unique needs of adult students.
MS - Higher Education Leadership and Administration
Position yourself for leadership at the postsecondary level with an online master’s Higher Education Leadership and Administration specialization that’s designed around recognized professional standards. By choosing an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership or Community College Leadership, you’ll focus your studies on building skills that align with your career goals. You’ll start working toward those goals right away by creating a professional development plan in your first course. Using both theory and practical application, you’ll strengthen your understanding of history; politics and public policy; law and governance; finance and development; and program administration. People who choose this specialization are often student and academic services professionals pursuing leadership positions at community colleges, universities, or other public or private postsecondary educational institutions.
This specialization is not designed to satisfy licensure requirements for P–12 public school teachers or administrators.
Review Pending: AL, KS, KY, ND, SC, WA and WI.
DNP - Nursing Practice
This DNP is designed for advanced practice nurses and nurse administrators who want to move into leadership positions. Learn more.
Reasons to consider a DNP:
- A DNP is the preferred credential for advanced practice nurses.
- A DNP focuses on practical contributions to the nursing field, which allows it to be completed in less time than a research-focused PhD.
Capella's DNP emphasizes administrative, organizational, and systems leadership competencies, unlike many DNPs that are more clinically-focused. Topics covered include:
- Leadership and ethics in health care.
- Health care management.
- Policy and advocacy.
- Health care information systems.
- Health promotion and disease prevention for global populations.
Capella's DNP also features:
- A curriculum that incorporates The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
- Field experiences that allow you to apply what you are learning and focus on your areas of interest. (Minimum of 1,000 field experience hours.)
- A final project that produces a practice- and evidence-based solution to a problem you encountered in the field.
- Convenient electronic textbooks for most courses, which lowers costs and provides immediate access to course materials.
- A five-day residential colloquium to work on your final project and participate in face-to-face collaborative experiences with peers and faculty.
The DNP degree program is not a clinical degree program and is not designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses for roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, or certified nurse anesthetists.
MS - 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.