CAPELLA UNIVERSITY - paid for degree but did not get one

I agree. In my position as a Crime Lab Analyst students sometimes ask me what is required to get a job like mine. I answer with general requirements but always suggest they contact potential employers to see what the people actually doing the hiring want. I'm still amazed that many students think a degree in Criminal Justice with little or no science will get them a job in what is essentially a chemistry or biology laboratory.

 

While not agreeing with the OP's actions, the story seems legit.

He wanted to do something specific with the degree other than be called doctor and pretend he was the smartest guy in the room. One way or another, it didn't work out for him. I think we should respect that effort and possibly empathize with him in his current predicament.

Once again, we are reminded of the seriousness of the decision to pursue a doctorate and how it doesn't always (even rarely) turn out with rainbows and ponies for everyone who starts...

 

I have contacted the OP privately, and asked him for details to be able to verify the story (specifically, name of his attorney or case ID to verify the lawsuit, and to explain why he was claiming he was enrolled in a Ph.D that Capella appears to not offer.)

The OP responded back with an evasive answer, avoiding all of my specific questions, and claiming that he had supplied a response to John Bear that answered all of the questions, and that I could get the response from John.

John kindly provided the response, and it turned out to be almost word-for-word what the OP said in his first post in this thread.

At this point, given that the OP has declined the opportunity to clarify and provide additional information to support his story and that others have not been able to independently verify any of the facts, I'm left with no other explanation but that the original story is either fabricated, misrepresented, or heavily embellished.

It would be nice if we someday hear the truth, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

Very good advice. I went round and round with my committee members deleting, re-inserting, deleting, reinserting, deleting... eventually everyone was tired of the process and I was told it was time to defend. with perseverance anyone can get a doctorate.

 

Glad the Admin call this person out .

We come her to learn what to do with ourlives. While no one will change their mind just from a post like this alone, a post like this can add to someone doubt about what they are doing .

 

I also went through this same process for a Masters thesis.

- remove it (it's removed)
- later, asked why it's not there and told to put it in there

It was a foretaste of what was to come.

 

Usually when the Hardy Boys are done investigating, then Nancy Drew shows up...

 

I too can't understand why there is no legal trail... however, his refusing to provide additional details and withdrawing from the discussion might indicate that he didn't want any more publicity. If he wanted to really smear Capella, it seems like he would have persisted.

 

What a horrible experience.

I know some folks who have gained their Ph.D. at Capella and it is or can be quite political, I'm told and guessing more so than usual.

Having said that there is always 2 sides to any story and I think it would naieve to condemn Capella based upon on unfortunate situation.

Regards,
Ken

 

I have worked in and around several brick and mortar colleges and universities. I have never seen a single not-for-profit academic institution that was not rife with internal and external politics. My beloved undergrad alma mater joins the list of other well respected universities with outstanding court cases and ongoing investigations. You can be certain that many brick and mortar institutions have what might appear to be very upsetting sounding complaints. Complaints and law suits have many facts associated with them and the courts are where those facts are heard, deliberated over, and decided upon.

Full disclosure requires that I indicate that I hold a Capella doctorate and that, some years ago, I worked for Capella. With only my experiences as a frame of reference, my view was that the academics and administrators inside Capella were bright, professional, and passionate about educating adult learners. Of course, having strong ethics, passion, and professionalism does not preclude institutional politics and policies from occasionally creating awkward bureaucracies. This is the stuff of higher ed, whether not-for-profit or profit.

I do not know anything about this suggested complaint. My empathy goes out to anyone that feels an injustice has been thrust upon them. When that happens, the courts are the place to seek some measure of justice. If there was an injustice, I hope this person achieves relief.

 

This surprises me.... I never felt the polciitcs when I was a student. I undersand it at any employer, but as a student, what politics would one experience?

 

Specifically, what part of what I wrote surprises you?

 

It is all how you read the situation, I have had students say grades are due to politics. Personally when I mark I really don't care if its written by Hitler or someone with an Oprah Book Club sticker on their paper.

As for reality, well I find this case intriguing as it shows to me the character of a school.

Many schools roll over when a student complains: when I took an economics course as a student we were told that a grade of less then 70 is an F; by the time final rolled around every student except me protested.

When I went to write, there was no exam. The Dean told me to sign the list so they could close the matter and I had to challenge the school to write the exam (hey I was doing well, the rest were flunking). School rolled over, but never took a stand.

In this case, well we only know part of the story...so who knows...but it makes for good reading.

 

Capella is a rip off for sure!

I did all the course work, got my dissertation subject approved (I thought) then after I completed three chapters of my dissertation which is actually a BOOK, I was suddenly told my dissertation subject could not be approved! This was after over 100 Grand in tuition. I am proceeding with a lawsuit right now. Capella is a huge rip off!

 

Paulaz:

It appears that you were not able to complete the dissertation proposal. A couple of questions?

1. What was Capella's stated reason for not permitting you to continue in your program?

2. What are the legal grounds for the lawsuit? (Note - You are going to need to prove that Capella was involved in deceptive practices, breach of contract, etc.)

The doctoral journey is not easy - over 40% of those who begin do not complete it:

http://www.phdcompletion.org/resources/CGSNSF2008_Sowell.pdf

 

I don't want to dismiss your complaint but I can not figure out a motive for the school to act deliberately in an unjust manner such as you suggest. Isn't it to their own benefit to pull in a few more dollars from your wallet and improve their stats regarding graduate percentages? I think that schools want people to graduate. Why would this not apply to you?

 

For those of you that are stating that the original poster is making bogus statements, I was a cohort of his in the PhD program at Capella. When the OP began his degree, Capella offered a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Capella then attempted to redesign the program to become accredited by the APA (which was NEVER achieved) and began calling the program a Psy D in Clinical Psych. The original poster was NOT dismissed at dissertation, he was IN FACT dismissed at the end of what Capella called "Year in Residence." The Year in Residence is completed with a final 2 week review of what is supposed to be professional review by instructors who determine if a student displays enough clinical skills to advance onward towards internship.



I was at this culminating experience at the Year in Residence and had the opportunity to witness the assessment given to the OP. In MY OPINION, it was BIASED and completed in an unprofessional manner.



What does it say about a "school" that dismisses a "student" after 3 years of course work basing the decision on the premise that the student lacked interpersonal skills needed for counseling.......CONSIDERING that the student had already completed a GRADUATE Counseling degree (a degree program that required practical work/learning experiences) from the same "University?"



For those of you doubting the legal proceedings brought forth by the OP, there was in fact a suit brought against Capella by the OP. He lost the case. He was up against tremendous odds as the case was heard in Minnesota (the OP lives in Maryland). Capella contributes much to the economy of MN and has a relatively strong political lobbying force in place. Capella has a pretty strong legal team in place to deal with these types of suits. Capella has deep pockets too.



For those who read these boards, one should know this, many "contributors" to the boards are Capella "employees" that seem to surf the net looking for negative talk against Capella. Correct me if I am wrong Mr. Ambrose.



I have little to gain from "bashing" Capella. I graduated from Capella in 2010 with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (I actually have the sheepskin and transcripts to prove that). Not that the degree does me ANY good. Oh wait.....one poster states that Capella does not even offer a Ph.D. in Counseling (or Clinical) Psychology.......... I was one of the last to be granted this degree.



For those of you seeking information on degrees in Psychology......PLEASE.......PLEASE......PLEASE.... find a traditional school!



I consider myself a relatively intelligent person, but I was totally sucked in by the dream of being a Licensed Psychologist.......



THE ODDS OF THIS HAPPENING WITH A DOCTORAL DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY FROM CAPELLA IS EXTREMELY SMALL!



Licensing Boards in almost every state totally dismiss the Capella degree. Co-workers ask where I earned my degree from and I state....Capella......I am immediately looked at like I found my degree at a yard sale or something.


The educational process to become a Licensed Psychologist is extremely demanding; course work, practicums, internships, post-doc experiences make the process difficult to complete. Even securing an internship (which is necessary for graduation and licensure) is exteremely difficult because Capella is viewed as a weak and disorganized program. Capella has one of the lowest percentages of students matching in internship possibilities. Although this is a problem at many schools, Capella has an unusually high "non match" rate. So even at the intern level, Capella fails the student as the student is forced to take non-accredited or self designed internship opportunities (this looks VERY BAD to licensing boards and future employers).



Do I work in Psychology? Well, in a way yes....but it is under the umbrella of mental health. I have a nice little job doing some interesting stuff. Do I need a Doctoral degree for my job? No I do not, because frankly, in the state where I work (as is the course for MANY, MANY Capella graduates) the degree is not recognized for licensure. My employer recognizes my skills making very difficult decisions about emergent mental health situations....which I did not learn at Capella.



What I do have is a beautifully framed degree, a fancy cap and gown (hanging in my garage collecting dust, because the chances of wearing this garb in an academic setting is very thin because most post-secondary schools also dismiss Capella degrees), a low paying not for profit job that someone with a Masters degree can do...... and a LOT of student loans.



Am I friends with the OP? I would consider him a friend. A VERY, VERY nice man with a very nice family. He would have had a tremendous positive impact in mental health counseling if he was allowed to continue....but alas the "faculty" at Capella did not see it that way....but that was after he (the OP) spent A LOT of money (which in reality is what schools like Capella are

 

:sad6: Bwalsh, I'm sorry you and the person referred to feel the way you do. I think I can understand your feelings and I don't want to diminish the hurt both of you have gone through. At the same time, I do not recall Capella ever claiming that your degrees would guarantee licensure in "Clinical Psychology" but rather the student was responsible to research that per State level. Some States, in the past, have not required schools to be APA accredited. Most do. With all due respect, I am of the opinion that both of you should have done better research and not taken such risks. I went into my program at Capella with full knowledge that it was not for APA based licensure. My degree from there has served me well. I teach at two institutions of higher learning. It all depends what you want. If you want to teach at MIT you need to be a grad from another Ivy League school or have contributed to your field in a phenomenal way. Having graduated from a lower tier level school, even a State school would not necessarily get you in there. As you well know there are all kinds of politics and pecking orders in academia.

I think it is unfair to be bitter towards Capella when the burden is on the student to understand what licensure for him/her means contextually. hone:

When I researched institutions, I noticed Capella, as well as Union, Walden, Saybrook, Northcentral U., etc. always had disclaimers and fine print to read about licensure. Caveat Emptor. If a store sells a product that does not meet your need yet they disclosed fully that they never claimed to be what you required, then I say, it is the buyers fault. :crazy: :deal:

Disclaimer: I do not work for Capella University nor did I receive a financial benefit from them in posting this note. I am simply a graduate from their Family Psychology Ph.D. program. :wave:

 

There outta be a word, maybe there is, for a fly-by-poster with a big fat ONE next to his name that turns our forum into a cat fight and runs away....or in this case "three" such perps.

 

Jen -

The word is "Jackass"

Carry on,
IT