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Capella University accreditations

Capella University is an accredited online university

Accreditation confirms the rigor and quality of higher education institutions and the programs they offer. Many of our programs are also accredited by industry-recognized professional accreditors, so you can be confident that a Capella education is relevant, recognized and respected.

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Why is university accreditation important?

Accreditation provides evidence to learners and the public that an institution meets standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services and fiscal stability.

Accreditation is a factor weighed by many employers, professional associations and other accredited institutions of higher education.

Accreditation can help facilitate the transfer of credits from one accredited institution to another.

Capella University’s accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Professional accreditations

In addition to institutional accreditation, Capella University credentials include specialized and program-specific accreditations that recognize the quality of our degree programs.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Capella University’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2028.

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE)

The MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), 112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; 703.838.9808, [email protected].

Council on Social Work Education's Commission of Accreditation (CSWE)

Capella University’s Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. For more information about social work accreditation, visit: https://www.cswe.org/accreditation.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Capella University’s Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through 2024. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. (CAEP, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077)

Additional information regarding offerings in the CAEP-accredited EPP at Capella may be found here.

Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET

Capella’s BS in IT program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. (The FlexPath option is not included in this specialized accreditation.) 

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management

The following program specializations are accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (PMI-GAC). (The FlexPath option for the project management specializations is not accredited by PMI-GAC.)

  • BS in Information Technology – Project Management
  • BS in Business – Project Management
  • MS in Information Technology – Project Management
  • MBA – Project Management

The GAC Accredited Program seal is a mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

The following business programs at Capella University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs:

  • Bachelor of Science in Business with specializations in: Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Management and Leadership, Marketing, and Project Management.
  • Master of Business Administration with specializations in: General Business Administration, Accounting, Business Intelligence, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Operations and Supply Chain Management, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, Marketing, Project Management, and Self-Designed.
  • Master of Science in Human Resource Management with specializations in: General Human Resource Management and Health Care.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management with specializations in: General Business Management, Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, Leadership, Management Education, Marketing, Project Management, and Strategy and Innovation.
  • Doctor of Business Administration with specializations in: Accounting, Business Intelligence, Finance, Global Operations and Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, Leadership, Marketing, Project Management, and Strategy and Innovation.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Business with specialization in Accounting.

All specializations that have not been in existence for two years and do not have graduates are not currently eligible for accreditation. This includes the Doctor of Business Administration program specializations in General Management and Organizational Leadership and Development; and the Master of Science in Human Resource Management program specialization in Health Care.

Awards and recognitions

For over 20 years, we’ve made it our goal to provide working professionals with a flexible way to earn a degree. In addition to our accreditations, Capella University has received numerous awards and recognitions.