Capella - M.S. Studies in Human Behavior

Hello— hi— howdy—*whichever you'd prefer!

After tromping around the internet, I feel like I've found the gold mine in this forum and I hope to get some specific opinions with this post. I've read through pages of others' experience and feel like I've learned more here than in the stack of AP articles on the subject of distance learning that's sitting on my desk. Thank you in advance for any insights.

A brief background. No offense taken if skipped over.
I'm 25 and a graduate of a traditional, B&M state school with a bachelors in (cheer for me in 3..2..1..) general studies. I went to school for environmental literature, transitioned to geology, then most of the way through my junior year discovered that I really enjoyed social psychology and communications more and ended up taking a gen. studies degree and running after three years to an internship that immediately lead into the job I have now. I work for a (very large) non-profit, specifically as the director of their Equestrian Education department. A pretty sweet gig for my age and I love what I do. I live in the sticks and work a gadzillion hours a week, so returning to get the masters' degree I always "knew" I'd get in the traditional sense is not an option.

The idea of higher education was completely on the backburner until an e-mail was circulated in my organization promoting a grant program and tuition discount on M.S. and M.Ed. degrees at Capella. I hadn't heard anything about the school, did some quick research and determined that it is at least accredited and there were a few published graduates and faculty that seemed promising enough. Talked to our HR person and talked to the Capella recruiter today and feel relatively optimistic. I just don't want to be lead blindly into something because "it's a good deal."

Their M.S. of Studies in Human Behavior degree is somewhat interdisciplinary but fits the direction I see myself either taking the program I currently run, or would aid in securing me a job at a larger facility. Specifically, we currently cater to only a small percentage of people with developmental and behavioral disabilities, and I would like to push us more in that direction. The degree also delves into program development and implementation— a plus. I am not seeking any kind of licensure.

With a grant and employer discount, I'd be looking at spending ~$16,500 on the course over just under two years. From my research, that seems middle-of-the-road, though I often see suggestion that Capella is overpriced.

Is that a fair price? Worth expediting the process of starting this degree?

Does anyone have experience with this particular degree, or with a social sciences degree at Capella?

Am I better served finding a state school (I'm in TX and don't find comparable programs) with distance learning available?

There will be no immediate career benefit, other than personal satisfaction and goal accomplishment, to obtaining my M.S.— is there a point at which a person is too farsighted? Should I wait a few years?

Any other advice would be noted and appreciated. Thanks to everyone who has read.

— MA in TX