MINNEAPOLIS, July 21, 2014--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capella University's FlexPath program has been named a winner of the National University Technology Network (NUTN) 2014 Distance Education Innovation Award. This award recognizes an individual or group that has developed an innovative program or practice that contributes to the field of distance education.
”Competency-based education offers tremendous potential for increasing access to higher education for adult non-traditional students, while reducing time to degree and thus overall cost. I applaud Capella for its commitment to students' individualized learning paths, as evidenced in the FlexPath Competency Map,” the NUTN award panel said.
The U.S. Department of Education approved Capella University’s innovative FlexPath direct-assessment programs in August 2013. This made Capella the first university to offer competency-based bachelor's and master's degree programs that utilize an approved direct-assessment learning model.
Capella’s innovative FlexPath learning model offers the potential to significantly reduce the time and cost of a degree. Traditionally, degree programs are constructed around credit hours that measure the time required to complete specific courses. Under the FlexPath model, degree programs are constructed around the direct assessment of demonstrated competencies
The award will be presented to Capella University at the NUTN Network 2014 Conference on September 22 – 24, 2014 in San Antonio, TX. NUTN Network 2014 focuses on the key elements of Learning/Technology/Innovation, their interrelationships, support and models for effectiveness and success. Major presenters and descriptions of The Network 2014 Conference can be found at http://nutn.org/network2014.
About Capella University Capella University (www.capella.edu) is a regionally accredited online university* that offers online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers. Over 70 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's 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, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 141 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 25 certificate programs, including six new direct assessment degree delivery programs**. Approximately 36,000 students were enrolled as of March 31, 2014, from all 50 states and 61 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.
** In accordance with U.S. Department of Education (ED) direct assessment approval requirements, a notification has been submitted to the ED so that the IT and Psychology FlexPath programs may be eligible for federal financial aid. These programs are currently not approved for federal financial aid. Capella University will keep applicants and learners interested in FlexPath fully informed of any decisions made by the ED.