Capella

Anyone taken the Capella MBA program? If so, what are your experiences with the university? Would you recommend the program?

Also, does anyone have objections to this university? If so, what are they?

Thanks!!

 

Capella MBA

Hi Dachorn,

I'm a relatively new Capella MBA learner. I've taken 2 classes and am totally thrilled. I had no idea what it would 'feel like' to be in an online learning environment. So far, I find it more personal than in a live (in person) classroom setting. People complete their own online profile and they are accessible for the class to read. They are both personal and professional and it gives everyone a snapshot into your experience, goals, preferences, hobbies, etc. This is much more personal than a traditional setting where you don't know Jack from Joe.

I also have been impressed with how much I take from the classroom and apply it at work and home. I feel so lucky to try or test coaching techniques and leadership behaviors (for example) on the job - - real time.

I think Capella really understands the needs and wants of working adults and tailor learner expectations to make learning possible while working. I appreciate that!

So far, I have no reservations. I will say though, that if you need hand holding to get work done, distance ed might not be right for you.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply. I noticed they use something called "coaching". How does that work?

 

Love Capella, love the people, and everything about the school.....but, a word of Caution - Capella is trying to become a paperless entity - so KEEP A COPY OF EVERY EMAIL YOU SEND AND RECEIVE........it will pay sooner or later.

 

coaching

Dachorn,

Capella has this thing called professional coaching. It focuses on the human side of leadership and managment....what I call the soft skills that leaders need. Coaching is integrated throughout your MBA experience in a couple ways - 1) the first class you take is dedicated to the topic and it helps you learn a methodology of coaching and also apply it and 2) you are paired up with a teacher / mentor and they coach you and provide you with professional advice throughout the program.

This is actually the stuff I like the most and I believe that Capella's program is the only one who's effectively integrated it into the entire program. I found no other distance ed program with this focus.

Pretty slick!

 

Capella seems to have a good program going. From what I can tell, their reputation is much better than, say, UoP. However, I asked a prospective employer today if she would have a problem highering a candidate with an accredited online degree. Her reply was that she would make no distintion between a brick and mortar degree and an online degree as long as both were accredited.

Another question, how many hours per week are you spending on each class?

 

That is not what Vault.com found in a survey of HR managers in 2000. Participants in the survey said they would consider the online degree to be of lesser value. Of course, that is predicated on their knowing how the degree was earned. At Phoenix, one can earn one online or in the classroom. Capella does not offer that level of vagueness.

 

That is interesting. I seem to get different reponses from people when I ask them the question about online vs b/m degrees. It is just for that reason that I am hesitant about going online for a degree. I've looked at several programs, Capella included, and many of them appear to be just fine; however, it is the perception that concerns me at this time.

 

Read the survey results: CLICK HERE.

 

The Vault article contrasts "accredited institutions" such as Duke and Stanford with "Internet only" institutions such as Jones International. To be clear, we should note that Jones International University has the same level of institutional accreditation (i.e. regional accreditation) as Duke and Stanford.

This confusion is consistent with dachorn's concern about perception.

 

You are correct - but would anyone confuse Jones with Duke or Stanford? Both are accredited - but these schools are of vastly different quality.

Regards - Andy

 

Nobody will confuse Jones with Duke or Stanford. But they may be confused about "accredited." So when people say they will accept a degree from any "accredited" university they may be excluding "Internet only" universities (as is apparently the case in the Vault article).

 

Applicant perception

Although I have not yet taken classes at Capella, I have been admitted to their Phd program for Teaching & Learning Online in their School of Education.

I am debating whether or not to commit to Capella or the University of Nebraska.

For me it seems to come down to two basic characteristics: first, while Capella’s program is distinctly focused, and seemingly tailored to what I want to do, there is that ‘perception thing’. Nebraska would seem to have more of a name when it comes to using the degree in the real world. Second, Capella is almost more than double the tuition of Nebraska.

In the end it comes down to whether or not I feel the added $25k is justified by the services and focused program that Capella offers. Plus, whether or not the program will ultimately enhance what I want to do.

 

The point of the Vault.com survey is not to explain why the differences exist, although their article brings some of that out. The point is that unless someone changes HR managers' perceptions, you'll have to deal with them. My own survey explores this question from a different angle, but again suggests that there are real perception issues that affect the acceptability of degrees from nontraditional sources--legitimate and illegitimate. The fact that some HR managers might mis-perceive that degrees earned online are somehow not accredited is just one fact of life. (By the way, the line from the article confusing this issue isn't a quote from an HR manager; it is from the editorial content--the author.)

 

Rich: Thank you for providing the site.

Volt.com: "When asked how applicants could increase the credibility of their online degrees, responses included:
- "Candidates should have industry experience to back the degree."
- "Bring along transcripts and course study examples or listings. Letters of recommendation or authenticity that their program holds equal merit to that of an accredited University. Until they are more known, I believe they will have to extend extra energy and information to curb skeptics."

My take:.......Cehi: It is sad to know that some HR feels the way they have expressed their views. However, it seems to me that these HR folks feel more comfortable with prestigious online programs such as Duke, but are very skeptical with schools with less name recognition.

While those with degrees from unaccredited schools may be out of the picture, it is now obvious that those with accredited online degrees may equally be getting close to a similar doldrum because they may have so much explaning to do with prospective employers, except if they already have the job which seems to be the same idealogy behind those pursuing unaccredited degrees (because they already have the job).

I think there is a lot of lesson to be learnt from the survey for those trying to obtain a accredited online first degree without work experience. Their degrees may have accreditation, but they may not be hirable because of how employers perceive their degrees (not credible). This is very interesting.

 

From reading a few of the quotes on the Vault site, it appeared to me that some of the participants really know next to nothing about accreditation.

Most everyone on this board knows this stuff (quite a few backwards and forwards) and probably assume everyone else does as well. However, I'd be willing to bet that the vast majority of the general public (including a lot of HR types) would be thoroughly confused when informed that an institution was accredited by the NCA, WASC, et al. Consider the following quote, for example:

"Bring along transcripts and course study examples or listings. Letters of recommendation or authenticity that their program holds equal merit to that of an accredited University...."

Will the first person who comes in please turn on the lights?

 

Rich: "but again suggests that there are real perception issues that affect the acceptability of degrees from nontraditional sources--legitimate and illegitimate. The fact that some HR managers might mis-perceive that degrees earned online are somehow not accredited is just one fact of life"

Cehi: I totally agree.

 

Re: Applicant perception

Ryan - Having graduate from a DL oriented institution (NSU) and having faced subtle discrimination as a result, my advice is to go with Nebraska. Reputation (and half the price) are strong arguments in favor of the school. Unless Nebraska's program is totally out of line with your interests, I think you'll be happier in the long run.

Besides - you can cheer for the world's greatest football team! Go Big Red!

Regards - Andy

 

Which is why degree mills tout their verification services. My study showed that when HR managers are told about accreditation, state licensure, etc., their perceptions change in a statistically significant manner--for the better (with one slight exception).

 

I agree that the perception of online degees is somtimes skewed toward the negative. The question is, will that perception change as more and more people turn to distance education? After all, there were predictions that the airplane was basically useless and we all know how that one turned out. Hmmm....