Capella University Expands Suite of Health Care Degrees and Streamlines MSN Pathway

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Capella University has announced that it will now offer a full suite of nursing, health care and public health leadership degrees at all degree levels by adding an MPH in Public Health Leadership specialization, a Public Health Leadership certificate and a Health Care Leadership certificate. Capella has also streamlined its RN-to-MSN degree path to reduce the time needed to complete the MSN. Capella University (http://www.capella.edu) is a regionally accredited online university which offers online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers.

"We are excited to expand our nursing, health care and public health leadership degree offerings and give adult learners who want to take the next step in their career the opportunity to do so," said Dr. Christy Davidson, DNP, RNC-OB, director of Nursing at Capella University. "In addition, our newly streamlined RN-to-MSN program will help provide the most direct path for our nursing learners to achieve their personal and career goals."

Capella's Public Health Leadership certificate gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills quickly and apply those credits to the new MPH in Public Health Leadership program
Capella's MPH in Public Health Leadership program offers a unique, in-demand focus on change leadership along with coaching and team development. In as little as 18 months, Capella's MPH in Public Health Leadership program can help students refine their skills as leaders and learn how to optimize organizational effectiveness in the dynamic public health environment.

Capella's Public Health Leadership certificate courses transfer into the MPH in Public Health Leadership program, allowing students to differentiate themselves quickly in the job market by earning a marketable credential as part of their MPH degree or as a stand-alone offering. Students who complete the certificate will have 16 credits that can be applied to the MPH Public Health Leadership specialization.

Capella's new Health Care Leadership certificate courses are aligned to National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) competencies
Capella's Heath Care Leadership certificate helps students stay up-to-date with leadership best practices they can apply immediately, gaining a deep knowledge base in:

• Learning assessment methods for leadership development planning and succession
• Transforming health professionals into high-performing teams
• Aligning management systems to support culture change and continuous development

Capella's Health Care Leadership certificate can be completed in one year or less to help refine students' skills as leaders and teach them how to optimize organizational effectiveness. In addition, the certificate credits can be applied to the Master of Health Administration in Health Care Leadership specialization, ensuring a seamless transition if students choose to enter the master's degree program.

Move from RN to MSN faster, newly streamlined programs
According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, it is estimated that 30 percent of job openings in the health care industry will require at least a master's degree by 2018. Capella's newly streamlined RN-to-MSN program will allow Registered Nurses to earn their Master of Science in Nursing in as little as 2.5 years.

Capella has refined its RN-to-MSN programs while continuing to incorporate the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing, and a hands-on practice immersion—ensuring students receive the most relevant curriculum in a cost effective and timely manner, without conferring the BSN.

About Capella University

Capella University (www.capella.edu) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1993, the university is dedicated to providing flexible, professionally aligned online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers. As of March 31, 2015, more than 37,000 students were enrolled in Capella's bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, with over 70 percent in its graduate programs. Known for its commitment to learner success, academic quality and innovations in online education, Capella pioneered competency-based direct assessment programs allowing students to learn at their own pace. Capella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company CPLA. For more information, call 1.888.CAPELLA (888.227.3552).