Capella University's Public Safety Program Earns First Program-Level Recognition by Quality Matters™
The online university also has three individual courses recognized by Quality Matters
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 12, 2008
Capella University (www. capella. edu) has become the first and, thus far, the only university to be recognized by The Quality Matters™ Program (www. qualitymatters. org) for a whole program of study. The online university's entire Public Safety program was recognized because of its commitment to a long-term, systematic approach to course quality assurance. Capella's Public Safety program includes 10 specializations at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, including Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Homeland Security. Capella is an accredited* online university that is a leading provider of master's and PhD degrees for working adults.
"Adopting the Quality Matters program is one of the ways in which our Public Safety program at Capella University is leading the definition of quality in online adult education and will help to demonstrate the superior quality of our public safety programs," commented Chris Cassirer, acting president of Capella University.
Program-level recognition is a new initiative by Quality Matters, which, until now, has only recognized the quality of individual courses. As part of this initiative, Capella's Public Safety program will follow Quality Matters' continuous improvement model, assuring the quality of course design and faculty training through a standards-based, faculty review process.
"Quality Matters is helping institutions to shape faculty and staff development activities and to foster a culture of quality," said Ron Legon, executive director of the Quality Matters program. "Capella University is demonstrating its leadership in high-quality online adult education through its ongoing commitment to external, research-based standards."
Quality Matters also recognizes the following Capella University classes at the online course (http://www. capella. edu/college_course_online. aspx) level: BUS3004, Developing a Business Perspective; BIO1000, Human Biology; and ENG1000, English Composition.
Students and faculty members engaged in Capella's Public Safety program (http://www. capella. edu/schools_programs/profession/public_safety. aspx) will have the added benefits of an additional quality assurance organization assessing its program, including:
A systematic and comprehensive continuous quality assurance process that includes faculty training, course development, and course revisions that are aligned with accreditation standards. Incorporation of new technologies and research findings. Opportunity to engage in benchmarking activities with peer institutions. Ongoing faculty professional development. Increased efficiency in using institutional resources. Please visit the Capella University-sponsored blog Public Safety Signals (http://www. publicsafetysignals. com) for the latest news, trends, and important issues related to public safety.
About Capella University
Capella University (www. capella. edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that has built its reputation providing quality graduate education for working adults. Eighty-three percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 109 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. More than 23,700 learners were enrolled as of June 30, 2008, from all 50 states and 45 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 (http://www. capella. edu) or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
About The Quality Matters Program
The Quality Matters Program is dedicated to the continuous improvement of online education through the development of standards validated by research and applied in a peer review process. QM provides it standards, tools, training and other services to more than 200 subscribing colleges and universities throughout the U. S. Quality Matters is a program of MarylandOnline, a not-for-profit consortium of Maryland-based schools. For more information, please visit http://www. qualitymatters. org (http://www. qualitymatters. org).
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, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www. capella. edu.
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