Quality Matters Recognizes Capella University, an Accredited Online University, for Its Commitment to Course Quality

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quality Matters, a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer-review process that certifies the quality of online courses, has recognized Capella University’s (www.capella.edu) commitment to a long-term, systematic approach to course quality assurance by designing courses to Quality Matters standards. The Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council (QMAAC) has approved Capella’s Implementation Plan, which includes training faculty in Quality Matters standards, and submitting courses for peer review by trained faculty from across institutions.

Capella University is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing high quality online degree programs for working adults. As of Dec. 31, 2010, more than 39,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), with 31 percent enrolled in Capella’s doctoral degree programs, and 47 percent enrolled in Capella’s master’s degree programs.

“Capella University is formalizing our commitment to implementing the Quality Matters standards for the design of our courses, and we are systematically building and evaluating our courses based on these collaboratively developed, research-supported standards. The Quality Matters standards assure that our courses provide learners with the tools and information they need to succeed,” said Nick White, course quality assurance manager for Capella.

Quality Matters has developed a widely respected set of standards for the design of effective online courses and a rigorous, faculty peer review process for applying these standards to existing courses. Through this process, reviewers provide instructors and instructional design teams with insights and recommendations that increase learner engagement, retention and satisfaction, and, ultimately, learner achievement.

The Quality Matters team is working closely with Capella and many other institutions, public and private, traditional and non-traditional, to continually improve the effectiveness of online instruction through this standards-based, faculty-driven process.

"Quality Matters has been working with Capella University since 2007, and we have been quite impressed with the thoroughness with which Capella is engaging with course quality assurance. Capella's Quality Matters Institutional Implementation Plan reflects the larger and long term commitment to nurturing and maintaining a culture of quality to support learning and learner success that Capella has demonstrated," said Ron Legon, executive director of Quality Matters.

Capella was recognized by Quality Matters for making a similar commitment for the online university’s public safety programs in 2008.

About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's, specialist, or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 136 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 39,000 learners were enrolled as of Dec. 31, 2010, from all 50 states and 59 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

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* 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.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.

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