Capella University's accreditation is reaffirmed by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The online university's accreditation was reaffirmed through the AQIP process without any stipulations
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 12, 2008
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has reaffirmed Capella University's accreditation without any stipulations on its affiliation status. Capella (www. capella. edu) is an accredited* online university (http://www. capella. edu/online_university. aspx) based in Minneapolis.
The HLC is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits, and thereby grants membership in the commission and in the NCA, to degree-granting educational institutions in the north central region of the United States. The HLC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Capella's accreditation was reaffirmed through the HLC's Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), which infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities by providing an alternative process through which an already-accredited institution can maintain its accreditation. Instead of the traditional 10-year review cycle, AQIP participants adhere to an ongoing annual review regimen. By participating in AQIP, Capella is required to analyze its operational processes and measure outcomes within each of nine different quality categories, and to set ambitious performance goals, such as converting all its courses to an outcomes/competency-based model.
In 2000, Capella became the first online university to become a charter participant of AQIP, and committed to a program of continuous quality improvement (CQI) similar to initiatives practiced in other industries. The university first received accreditation in 1997.
"This is a significant accomplishment and Capella University is proud to be one of the first institutions to have joined and successfully completed the entire accreditation cycle with the AQIP program. The program's focus on continuous quality improvement has been a natural fit for Capella," said Dr. Michael Offerman, vice chairman of external university initiatives and former Capella University president.
Capella's next scheduled accreditation reaffirmation process will be during the 2014-2015 academic year.
About Capella University:
Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited*, fully online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety, and bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 104 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate program. The online university currently serves more than 22,000 students from all 50 states and 45 countries. It is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www. capella. edu (http://www. capella. edu) or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).
*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), http://www. ncahlc. org (http://www. ncahlc. org).
Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www. capella. edu.
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