By: The Capella University Editorial Team
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Flexibility is a main reason adult students pursue a degree online. You can skip the commute, meet with classmates and instructors virtually and do much of your work when it suits you.
Self-paced programs take that flexibility further. You can move quickly through material you already know and focus on skills you still need to build. But not all self-paced programs work the same way, and not every program delivers a degree employers respect.
Before you invest your time and money, ask yourself these five questions. You’ll be better informed and you’ll know how Capella’s self-paced learning format, FlexPath (available in select programs), measures up.
Accreditation shows that a recognized agency has evaluated a school’s quality. Many employers consider it when they review a degree.
Capella has held institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1997.
Many Capella programs also hold specialized accreditation. For example, Capella’s business programs, including the BS in Business and the MBA, are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Specialized accreditation varies by program, and some specialized accreditations don’t extend to FlexPath, so check your program’s accreditation details.
You want a degree you can use right away, whether you’re making an impact in your current organization or preparing for a new field.
Capella designs courses with faculty who have real-world experience and stay connected to professionals in their industries. The result is a curriculum aligned with skills valued in each field.
You rarely cram for a test on the job. In FlexPath, you show mastery through competency-based assessments built on real-world tasks, such as building a business case or making recommendations from a company’s quarterly reports. Because the assessments mirror real work, you can apply what you learn right away.
The best online instructors combine professional experience with academic training. FlexPath faculty bring real-world experience, and most hold doctoral degrees. All receive specialized training in competency-based education, and they’re committed to your success.
Self-paced means you set your own deadlines and move through courses at the speed that fits your life, within each 12-week billing session. If you want to move fast, ask how quickly you’ll get feedback.
Faculty evaluate FlexPath assessments within 48 hours of submission, excluding weekends and holidays. A personal academic coach also helps you stay on track through your program.
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