Capella Learning and Career Outcomes

Outcome goals and graduates’ proficiency levels

These results show recent Capella graduates' proficiency levels in the expected learning outcomes for 5 of the 9 Master of Science in Education specializations. Faculty make this assessment in the capstone course—the final course in which Capella students demonstrate what they've learned.

Specializations

Please select a specialization of interest to you

• Curriculum and Instruction¹
• Early Childhood Education^{1, 3, 5, 10}
• Instructional Design for Online Learning⁶
• K–12 Studies in Education¹
• Leadership in Educational Administration^{1, 4, 5, 9, 11}
• Reading and Literacy^{1, 2 ,5, 10}
• Special Education Teaching^7,12
• Training and Performance Improvement

Curriculum and Instruction Specialization

Within the fast-growing field of P–12 education, increase your expertise in curriculum and instruction to improve student achievement. You'll focus on applying current theory, research, and technology to the design of curriculum and instructional models. You will also learn to use assessment, classroom management, and other techniques to strengthen instruction and reduce achievement gaps.

*No learning outcomes data are available for this specialization at this time.

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Early Childhood Education Specialization

Capella's master's degree specialization in Early Childhood Education is recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and is designed to prepare teachers to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. The curriculum includes course work in such topics as child psychology, classroom management, the early childhood learning environment, family engagement, and strategies for eliminating achievement gaps. Elective course work provides you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of learning theories or focus on special education or supervisory skills.

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Instructional Design for Online Learning Specialization

Prepare yourself to be a part of the growing field of online education. Study online instructional design in an online environment from a university that is considered one of the leaders in the field. Through a curriculum that balances instructional design, the psychology of learning, and technology, you will focus on the practice of online instructional design, including designing effective instruction, methods of online delivery, software tools, and project management.

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K–12 Studies in Education specialization

Delve into the research-based knowledge, skills, and attitudes of exceptional teachers in this K–12 education specialization designed around nationally recognized teaching standards. Complement such core courses as leadership, curriculum, assessment, and learning theory with electives chosen to meet your educational, professional, or school-site needs. Throughout the program, you will build a professional portfolio to demonstrate your master's-level competencies to current and future employers.

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Leadership in Educational Administration specialization

Prepare to lead students and teachers to success through P-12 leadership. This specialization is nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC). With an emphasis in School Leadership, you'll study curriculum that focuses on translating theory into effective leadership practice at the school level. Through your course work, you'll build the leadership, management, and problem-solving skills needed to become an ethical and innovative leader who can meet the challenges of an ever-changing P–12 educational system.

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Reading and Literacy specialization

Capella is unique among online universities in offering a master's specialization in Reading and Literacy that is state-approved, which is a requirement for licensure in some states. Developed around national reading standards, this specialization is designed to prepare P–12 classroom teachers to assess literacy, and to develop, implement, and adapt reading curriculum to accommodate diverse learning styles.

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Special Education Teaching specialization

Prepare yourself to help children with learning disabilities achieve academic and lifelong success with this state-approved Special Education specialization. The curriculum, developed around national special education standards, is designed to help you effectively teach children who have a variety of learning disabilities and come from diverse populations. You will study the latest strategies, practices, and techniques for teaching children with learning disabilities, and participate in field experiences that will allow you to apply your skills in real-life situations.

*No learning outcomes data are available for this specialization at this time.

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Training and Performance Improvement specialization

Increase your career potential by earning the only master's Training and Performance Improvement specialization that includes valuable certification in ROI Methodology™ from the ROI Institute™. Based on the American Society for Training and Development's (ASTD) Human Performance Improvement Model, this online program is designed to teach you how to apply human performance technology to improve organizational productivity. Course topics include analyzing systems performance; selecting, designing and implementing performance improvement solutions; and evaluating return on investment data to support training and performance improvement efforts in the workplace

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Quality and Professional Relevance

• Capella's School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE-accredited programs are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for the preparation of P-12 teachers and other professional school personnel. Graduates of these programs are highly regarded by many school districts, licensing authorities, and teaching professionals.
• More than 1,000 colleges and universities have employed Capella learners and alumni as faculty and administrators.
• Capella University offers the only online enrollment management specialization through which students can also earn the Noel Levitz professional certificate.
• More than 5,000 adults have chosen Capella's P–12 graduate specializations to advance their careers.
• State approvals: The Leadership in Educational Administration and Reading and Literacy specializations are state-approved and may lead to licensure endorsement¹.

¹Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learner's responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. For more information on licensure, see: http://www.capella.edu/education-degrees/licensure/ (Washington state learners are advised to go to: http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for more information).

²Applicants in KY and WI are advised that the Reading and Literacy specialization is not pre-approved for specialist endorsement/licensure and should verify home state and local district requirements prior to enrollment. Individuals seeking endorsement must perform a transcript review with their state upon completion of their program.

³Kansas regulations require that Kansas residents must first be granted a license for early childhood education in Minnesota before applying for a Kansas license. They can then apply to add Early Childhood, Prekindergarten through grade three (general education only—no special education), as an endorsement on their Kansas license.

⁴Learners seeking licensure in Arizona must secure a Structured English Immersion endorsement (SEI). Capella University has an alliance with Rio Salado College regarding course work for the SEI endorsement. Learners needing this endorsement should contact Academic Advisement to discuss the necessary courses and the application process at Rio Salado College.

⁵This specialization has not been reviewed or approved by Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania residents will have to apply and meet requirements for certification as out-of-state candidates.

⁶North Carolina learners completing this specialization may not be qualified for licensure in Educational Technology (concentration in Computer Specialist-077).

⁷North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization

⁸This master's specialization does not match Kansas licensing requirements in special education and will not lead to endorsement or licensure in Kansas.

⁹Kansas residents are advised that state regulations require a special review process for state licensure. Graduates of this master's specialization need to be granted an administrator license in Arizona first, and then apply for a Kansas license through a review by the licensure committee. This review process cannot guarantee a license will be issued.

¹⁰The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires graduates to first earn a Minnesota license and (if applicable) endorsement prior to applying for an Iowa license or endorsement. Capella assists learners seeking an Iowa license with understanding the Minnesota requirements and contacting state educator licensing offices. An Iowa resident seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Education Examiners must contact that Board for licensure requirements in Iowa. See the education licensure site at www.capella.edu/licensure_ed for contact information.

¹¹The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires graduates to first earn an Arizona license prior to applying for an Iowa license or endorsement. Capella assists learners seeking an Iowa license with understanding the Arizona requirements and contacting state educator licensing offices. An Iowa resident seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Education Examiners must contact that Board for licensure requirements in Iowa. See the education licensure site at www.capella.edu/licensure_ed for contact information.

¹²This specialization is not currently state-approved and will not lead to endorsement or license (as applicable) until state approval is received.

School of Education Master's Degree Graduates

Data from graduates across all Education masters programs have been combined for these Career Outcomes results.

Master's degree graduates from Capella's School of Education report satisfaction with their tasks and responsibilities and with salary and benefits. Two thirds of the respondents work in education - 39% in higher education and 31% in P-12 education.

Percentage of respondents who answered "satisfied" or "very satisfied"
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2011 – Q2 2012.

Many of our School of Education master's degree alumni report advancing in their careers or receiving a salary increase. They also indicate they have assumed a leadership role or received a promotion.

Percentage of respondents who indicated they had accomplished each item
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2011 – Q2 2012.

School of Education Master's Degree Graduates

Data from graduates across all Education masters programs have been combined for these Student Experience results.

Most graduates of the School of Education master's degree programs report that earning a master's degree has helped them meet program and career goals. They are likely to recommend Capella to friends and family.

Percentage of respondents who answered affirmatively
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2011 – Q2 2012.

School of Education master's degree graduates say that they gained valuable skills and abilities which are applicable in a range of professional settings.

Percentage of respondents who rated themselves as "proficient" or "distinguished" on ability to demonstrate the skill or ability on the job.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2011 – Q2 2012.