Change for the good. Change for the better.

Transcription

1 Change for the good. Change for the better.

2 Learners come to Capella University s School of Human Services from a variety of backgrounds, but with some remarkable common traits. They have a strong desire for personal and professional fulfillment. They share a commitment to making a difference for the communities and people they serve. They seek demanding academic standards, coupled with life balance and flexibility. The learners and graduates profiled here found what they were looking for at Capella University. Founded in 1993, Capella is an accredited university that has become a national leader in developing high-caliber online degree programs for adult learners. We currently serve more than 12,000 learners, including 2,000 enrolled in the School of Human Services. Our outstanding faculty members have distinguished academic as well as professional backgrounds, and hold doctoral degrees from regionally accredited universities. The Capella University master s degree specialization in mental health counseling is the first and only online program to receive accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation was frequently a factor in learners choosing Capella University, because they knew the program would encompass the knowledge and skills they needed. That is just the beginning.

3 Support keeps prospective counselor and mom on track Capella made me feel like a person, not just a number and a checkbook. That meant a lot to me. Miriam Napolitano-Magaw Preschool Teacher Class of 2005 Atlanta, Georgia With a husband whose career requires frequent relocation, Miriam Napolitano-Magaw did not want to keep re-enrolling at new colleges in pursuit of her graduate degree. Not only did the mental health counseling program at Capella University keep her education on track, it also became a reassuring constant in her busy life. Weekly assignments and ongoing peer reviews provided Miriam with a portfolio to demonstrate both her writing and critical thinking skills documentation she would not have as just a test-taker in a traditional classroom. Once people see my written work, they re pretty impressed, she said. After initial doubts about whether she could develop lasting relationships at an online university, Miriam attended the first of three weeklong, in-person residencies. Miriam was seven months pregnant. The joy, support, and understanding she received from fellow learners and faculty regarding both her family and academic situations were both unexpected and inspiring. Having formed lasting friendships through Capella University, Miriam finds it hard to believe she once feared an online courseroom would be distant and impersonal. 3

4 Finding the right path for body, mind, and spirit An engineering professor at Columbia once told me online students tend to be more serious. I took it as high praise. Boris Pisman had certainly experienced stress before, after immigrating to the United States from Russia and earning an undergraduate degree in his adopted country. But the anxiety attacks brought on after spending nearly 10 years in an insurance company cubicle caused Boris to question his approach to work. Boris began practicing yoga to help manage his stress, but he also took steps to understand the causes. A growing dedication to his new spiritual discipline eventually led him into a position managing the Integral Yoga Institute in Manhattan. From there, Boris developed interests in behavioral therapy and psychology. He started searching for a graduate program that would allow him to channel his interests into a new profession. Boris Pisman General Manager Integral Yoga Institute Class of 2005 New York, NY After investigating a number of programs at traditional universities, Boris ultimately chose the School of Human Services at Capella University. It provided a high-caliber academic environment and the scheduling flexibility he needed to continue working. Now, with two courses remaining in the mental health counseling specialization, Boris is looking forward to an internship at Federation Employment and Guidance Services, Inc. (FEGS). Because FEGS works with large numbers of immigrants, it is likely he will have the opportunity to help new arrivals from Russia as they, too, adjust to life and work in America CAPELLA ( )

5 High standards meet online convenience on the High Plains I thought I d just have to grit my teeth and put it off until my kids (ages 7, 9, and 12) were old enough to fend for themselves. The High Plains of northeastern Wyoming present remarkable vistas and incredible distances but few options for a personal journey requiring graduate education. Kim Biegler was ready to pursue her master s degree, but programs in counseling or social work were far from home. The state university program was a five-hour drive. She found another option, but it was still two hours away. When Kim learned some former co-workers at the Wyoming state vocational counseling service were pursuing advanced degrees at Capella University and several administrators at the local community college were enrolled in Capella graduate programs, her interest was piqued. The defining moment, she said, was discovering that graduating from Capella University with a specialization in mental health counseling would enable her to meet state licensing requirements. Capella had the only CACREP-certified online program in the country. That made the difference. Kim Biegler Class of 2006 Gillette, WY 5

6 A partnership of new knowledge and real-life work skills Very rarely do you get a chance to take your new education and put it into practice at work the next day but that s what we were able to do. As probation officers in Ada County, Chris and Kristina were co-workers, as well as husband and wife. They also shared the same goal to balance work and home life while earning master's degrees. The couple applied their professional investigative skills to research education options. Chris and Kristina concluded the demands of their current jobs did not mesh well with the rigid schedules of local colleges and they were dissatisfied with the lack of academic rigor at most online schools. Ultimately, they discovered Capella University. Kristina Palmer Counseling Supervisor Chris Palmer Assistant Services Manager Class of 2003 Boise, ID Their biggest concern was the internship requirement of their program. No local employers offered internships, so the Palmers were looking at a very long commute or an extended leave of absence. Instead, Chris and Kristina worked with the juvenile courts in their county to create a family counseling initiative. It fulfilled their internship requirement, benefited their community, and allowed the Palmers to stay close to home. After graduating, the couple passed the state licensure exam and moved into family services positions. Chris hires other counselors, which allows him to weigh his Capella University experience against the educational backgrounds of others. I would put my clinical knowledge up against anyone that went through a traditional program, he said CAPELLA ( )

7 Stretching to clear high hurdles and meet higher expectations Most of the learners are constantly juggling education goals with other life issues. It really adds a lot of richness to the Capella experience. Today, Larry Fernandez is making plans to begin a new career as a counselor the result of an unexpected detour his life took a few years ago. Larry had a promising career selling hydrology-mapping software to cities so they could implement upcoming federal stormwater management regulations. Then came the attacks of September 11. Stormwater legislation stalled. Software orders were either canceled or never placed. The company went bankrupt. Larry Fernandez Special Education Preschool Teacher Class of 2006 Fort Worth, TX With the support of his wife, Larry decided to make a fresh start. Capella University was the only option that provided the high-quality online counseling program he needed. After experiencing early success, Larry began to struggle in one class. He found the professor demanding and began to doubt his decision to go back to school. The professor reassured Larry that he could meet the high standards of the program. Larry took the comment to heart and persevered in his studies. Six months later, Larry was nominated for a leadership group position by the very same professor. I m stronger for having been in this program, Larry said. Like completing anything else that s tough, I ll leave Capella University with a sense that I accomplished something special. 7

8 Learn more about the mental health counseling specialization at Capella University. Call CAPELLA ( ) or visit Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL , (312) , South 6th Street, 9th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402