Awards & Recognition - Capella University

A history of achievement in higher education

For the last 20 years, we’ve made it our goal to provide working professionals with a flexible way to earn a degree—and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. As education innovators, Capella is recognized by respected organizations for providing quality education. Because we believe what’s good for adult learners is good for us. It’s why we provide the most direct path to a degree that can help you move forward in your career.

Business and Technology

Recognitions and Designations

Capella University has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD).

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that the following programs align to SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.:

BS Business, Human Resource Management
Master of Business Administration, Human Resource Management
MS in Human Resource Management, General Human Resource Management
MS in Human Resource Management, Health Care

Certifications

Capella University is a Registered Educational Provider of IEEE Computer Society and has aligned the BS in IT and Software Development courses to the IEEE CS Software Engineer Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) and IEEE CS Software Development certifications.

Education

Certifications

ROI Institute™

Capella offers a master's degree specialization and PhD degree specialization that includes an opportunity to achieve ROI certification in the Phillips' ROI Methodology:

Doctor of Education, Performance Improvement Leadership specialization
MS in Education, Training and Performance Improvement specialization

Nursing & Health Sciences

Designations & Partnerships

American Nurses Association (ANA)

Capella University is a proud educational alliance partner with the American Nurses Association.

Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC)

Capella University is a founding strategic partner of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), which is committed to building healthier communities through the service of nurses on boards throughout the country.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Designations & Partnerships

Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination.

PSY/ABA: 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, and 4005 (for the BCABA)
PSY/ABA: 7708, 7709, 7710, 7711, 7712, 7713, 7724, and 7715 (for the BCBA)

Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. https://www.abainternational.org/.

State Approvals

Arizona Department of Education

The following programs and/or specializations leading to endorsement for licensure have been approved by the Arizona Department of Education:

PsyD in School Psychology
MS in School Counseling
MS/EdS School Psychology

Minnesota Board of School Administrators

The following programs leading to endorsement for licensure have been approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators:

Director of Special Education licensure eligible in PhD in Education, Special Education Leadership specialization
K-12 Principal and Superintendent licensure eligible in PhD and EdS in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration specialization

Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

The following programs have been approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for post-baccalaureate licensure endorsement:

Teachers of Reading: eligible in MS in Education, Reading and Literacy specialization
Teachers of Early Childhood Education: eligible in MS in Education, Early Childhood Education specialization

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Designations & Partnerships

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Capella has been recognized as a Yellow Ribbon company by the Minnesota Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program for outstanding support of service members, veterans, and their families.

Awards and Recognitions

CAEL Adult Learner Impact Award, 2022

Capella University is the winner of the 2022 CAEL Adult Learner Impact Award, given annually at the CAEL Conference to recognize an institution or other organization that provides outstanding programs and services for adult learners.

WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award, 2022

Capella University received Honorable Mention for the 2022 WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award for utilizing technology to make a positive impact on learning and equity in a creative and/or innovative way.

Yellowdig Golden Shovel Award, 2022

Capella University was the recipient of the “Golden Shovel” Award for “best use of data” from Yellowdig, the “ed tech” firm focused on peer-to-peer learning.

Excellence in Assessment Award, 2021 and 2016

Capella University has been named a recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Assessment award. This award recognizes exemplary colleges and universities that successfully integrate assessment practices across the institution, provide evidence of student learning outcomes to stakeholders, and utilize assessment results to guide institutional decision-making and improve student performance.

The EIA designation is directly linked to the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) Transparency Framework and provides a systematic and nationally recognized evaluation of colleges and universities to reveal best practices in institution-wide assessment.

Blackboard Catalyst Award for Teaching & Learning, 2018 & 2014

Capella’s FlexPath courseroom design was named a Blackboard Catalyst Award winner in the

Teaching & Learning category. This award recognizes those who have adopted flexible, distance and online delivery, including using mobile technologies to positively impact the educational experience. With this recognition, Capella has demonstrated innovative use of the Blackboard platforms, increasing flexibility, furthering learner and instructor effectiveness and efficiency.

Eduventures 2015 Innovation Award

Capella University won for its submission: On Demand Reporting for Student Learning Outcomes. The award highlights and commends creative individuals, projects, and future stewards of higher education who demonstrate originality and excellence in programming and outcomes.

WCET Outstanding Work WOW Award, 2014 for FlexPath

WCET is the leader in the practice, policy, and advocacy of technology-enhanced learning in higher education. WCET is a national, member-driven nonprofit, which brings together colleges and universities, higher education organizations and companies to collectively improve the quality and reach of e-learning programs. The WCET Outstanding Work award is presented annually to colleges, universities and organizations who are implementing exceptionally creative, technology-based solutions to contemporary challenges in higher education.

ISPI Chapters of Excellence Award, 2010 International Society of Performance Improvement

The International Society of Performance Improvement (ISPI) awarded Capella University's Virtual ISPI chapter with its Chapters of Excellence award in recognition of its efforts in chapter operations, programming, membership, and advancement of the field of human performance technology.

ISPI Chapter Communication and Education Award, 2010 International Society of Performance Improvement

ISPI awarded Capella's Virtual ISPI chapter with its Chapter Communication and Education award. It recognizes a resource the chapter developed to link alumni with students in a similar field of work to share project and site ideas to complete a core course requirement.

CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes, 2010 The Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Capella University is the first online university to receive the CHEA award, which was given based on award criteria: articulation and evidence of outcomes; success with regard to outcomes; information to the public about outcomes; and use of outcomes for educational improvement.

WCET Outstanding Work WOW Award, 2009 Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications

Capella University was honored with this award in a competition recognizing innovative uses of educational technologies in higher education.

Learning Impact Award, 2009 IMS Global Learning Consortium

Capella received the highest honor from the international IMS Global Learning Consortium for outstanding use of technology in support of learning.

Best Outcomes-based Learning Solution, 2009 IMS Global Learning Consortium

In addition to the learning impact award, IMS Global Learning Consortium also named Capella University's Learning and Career Outcomes Infrastructure as the 2009 Best Outcomes-based Learning Solution.

Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course Award, 2009, 2007

Capella was recognized for modeling best practices in learning, course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment and evaluation, meaningful technology use, and learner support.

Shirley Davis Award for Excellence in Synchronous Distance Learning, 2008 National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN)

NUTN recognized Capella for providing synchronous distance learning (via web conferencing) of a superior nature.

Best Compliance Training Program Award, 2006 Training Magazine

Training Magazine recognized Capella for implementation of a unique, effective training program at Capella.

Distance Education Innovation Award, 2006 National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN)

Capella was recognized for development of an innovative practice that contributes to the field of distance education.

Exemplary Course Award, 2006 WebCT

Capella won this award for modeling best practices in learning, course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment and evaluation, meaningful technology use, and learner support.

Recognized for excellence