Top 5 reasons working adults choose Capella’s FlexPath for their degree

By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Kelly Brooks, Registrar & Director, Office of the Provost, and Dr. John Fry, Manager, Learning Pathways

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Earning a degree as a working adult can be an exciting next step in your career and in your personal growth. Your life up to this point has helped you gain skills and experience, and now’s the time to go further with what you’ve learned. The key is finding an online university that gives you control over your pace, respects what you already know and supports you every step of the way.

That’s where FlexPath at Capella University comes in. This self-paced, competency-based learning format is designed to give you the freedom to learn on your schedule so you can balance your studies with your busy life. FlexPath lets you move quickly through familiar material and focus more time on new skills while you progress toward your degree.

Along the way, you’ll have access to comprehensive support ranging from enrollment specialists and academic coaches to faculty members and career coaches to help you stay on track and reach your goals.

Here are the top five reasons why FlexPath may be the right choice for you.

1. Flexibility that fits your life

FlexPath is designed to work around your schedule – not the other way around. You can set your own deadlines, determine your pace and even pause your studies when needed. Without fixed term dates, you can plan your learning around your job, family or other priorities.

Capella offers a FlexPath Trial Course, so you can explore the learning format before enrolling at no additional cost and with no commitment then decide whether it fits your learning style.

2. Build on what you already know

If you’ve gained experience in your field, FlexPath allows you to move more quickly through information you already know and dedicate additional time to new or more challenging topics. The format helps you apply the skills you’ve already developed to advance in your education.

3. Set your own pace

With FlexPath, you don’t have to wait for a new term to begin a new course. Once you finish a course, you can move on to the next one right away. You also set the pace, whether that’s completing a course in three or 12 weeks. And you can adjust as needed.

4. With FlexPath, your pace determines your price

With FlexPath, you pay one flat-rate tuition fee for each 12-week billing session* no matter how many courses you take, instead of paying per credit. You can take up to two courses at a time and complete as many as you can in the same billing session to help reduce costs.

With FlexPath, you can finish the bachelor’s degree you started in 19 months and under $19,000, or earn your master’s degree in 15 months and under $18,000.**

*Books, supplies and other fees may apply.

** Based on the  fastest 25 percent of students. Your program length and cost will vary by your degree program, transfer credits, the per-session cost, and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.

5. Real-world learning, not traditional tests

All coursework is evaluated through competency-based assessments, which means your progress is measured by what you can demonstrate, not by how long you sit in class or how well you perform on timed exams. Each assessment is broken down into competencies that are evaluated at one of four performance levels: distinguished, proficient, basic or non-performance. To demonstrate these competencies, you’ll apply your knowledge to realistic, career-relevant scenarios through projects, case studies, research papers or presentations. This approach is designed to help you build skills you can apply right away in your workplace.

FlexPath assessments are also designed to be practical and adaptable. As Capella continues to enhance the FlexPath experience, students may see increasing opportunities to personalize their assignments, tailoring projects to reflect their professional goals, industry or real-world situations.

Throughout your program, you’ll have guidance and feedback from faculty and dedicated support staff, including academic coaches. You can also tap into Capella’s wide range of student resources, including the online library and Career Development Center, so even though FlexPath offers self-paced, online learning, you’re never on your own.

Ready to take your next step?

FlexPath helps put you in control of your education, enabling you to learn on your schedule, build on your experience and move toward your goals at your own pace.

Find out if FlexPath is right for you – take our Path Finder Quiz.