FIND YOUR WAY FORWARD WITH

FIND YOUR WAY FORWARD WITH

Introduction Thinking about going back to school to obtain or finish a degree? Maybe you want to switch career tracks. Or get a promotion. Or perhaps you simply crave the personal satisfaction of achieving something important. So what s holding you back? These worries and concerns may sound familiar: I already have a lot of experience. Won t I be learning things I already know? My schedule is unpredictable. What if I miss too many classes? Isn t the cost of higher ed skyrocketing? I can t afford to go back to school. PAGE 2

All of those are valid questions and problems but they shouldn t stand in the way of you and your dreams. Getting the degree you want in the time you have is possible through FlexPath from Capella University. Move at your own pace. Save time and money. Incorporate existing knowledge and past experience. Learn more about FlexPath today and find your way forward. PAGE 3

What is FlexPath? FlexPath is the most revolutionary direct path to your degree. This unique, online, self-paced syle of learning lets you: Leverage what you know. You can accelerate through material you already know and focus on learning what you don t. Move at your own pace. You set your own deadlines, so learning always fits your schedule. Save time and money. There s no limit to the number of courses you can complete for one flat fee in a 12-week period. Did you know? Capella is one of only six universities to gain approval for its direct assessment offering (FlexPath) from both a regional accreditor (the Higher Learning Commission) and the U.S. Department of Education. PAGE 4

How does FlexPath work? FlexPath is competency-based. Competencies are the critical skills, knowledge, and abilities required to master the subject matter of your degree program. Competencies align with the skills, talents, and knowledge that employers look for in their best employees. FlexPath courses are assessment-based. Analyze Data Communicate Effectively Think Critically to Solve Problems COMPETENCIES Knowledge & Skills Assessments require you to apply your knowledge to real-world situations through things like case studies, research papers, or presentations work you d be expected to do on the job and aligned with what employers need. ASSESSMENTS Authentically Measure Competencies Presentation Business Plan Research Paper PAGE 5

FlexPath is non-term and self-paced. You have up to 12 weeks to complete each course as soon as you ve successfully completed a course, you can move on to the next, without having to wait for the next quarter or semester to begin. PAGE 6

What else sets FlexPath apart? In FlexPath, your performance is evaluated through a series of assessments. These assessments are designed to measure how well you have mastered the course competencies. You are not required to purchase course materials. You can use your own resources or Capella-recommended resources to learn competencies and complete assessments. After you ve completed an assessment, you ll submit the material to a faculty member who will evaluate how well you understand and apply the concepts to the competencies. They ll reply with robust, personalized feedback within 48 hours. Once you ve successfully demonstrated the competencies in the course and are satisfied with your performance, you re ready to move on to your next course. You pay a flat-rate tuition every 12 weeks no matter how many courses you take. Support is available from faculty, coaches, tutoring faculty, writing center access, and an online community of fellow FlexPath learners. PAGE 7

FlexPath is individually tailored. Because you can apply relevant work experience to complete assessments and demonstrate competencies, FlexPath learning means you ll spend less time on things you already know and more time mastering new skills. PAGE 8

Examples of FlexPath Assessments Write an executive summary Create compliance impact reports Evaluate effectiveness of virtual teams Develop strategy proposals Prepare an informal social media communication for stakeholder teams How FlexPath Works PAGE 9

What FlexPath isn t A traditional program, where completion is based on grades, GPA, credits accumulated, or the amount of time spent in a classroom. A series of tests such as essay questions, multiple choice quizzes, or standardized exams. A mandated system with faculty-assigned due dates, required textbooks, and discussion questions. A massive open online course (MOOC). An independent study without support for students. A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process or test out program. 2015 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY LEARN MORE 4 1.866.933.5819 PAGE 10

FlexPath is supported. A critical aspect of Capella s approach to education, FlexPath support includes dedicated resources and staff to assist students whenever they need help, from admissions to graduation. PAGE 11

How are FlexPath students supported? My job as a coach is to collaborate with students. - Stephanie, FlexPath Coach What does a typical day look like for you? My days are really fast-paced and variable. I m on the phone, in meetings, answering emails, all to assist in the process of helping students meet their goals. My job is to collaborate with students, get to know them, understand what they re good at or what they struggle with, and learn what their goals are. I have to be flexible. Their goals and struggles may change. As they move and grow and change, I have to do so as well. Sometimes I cheerlead; sometimes I have to be firm. What qualities do you see in successful FlexPath students? I think the key quality that a dedicated FlexPath student has to have is the ability to problem-solve, to be a critical thinker. A FlexPath student is somebody who is organized, somebody who is passionate, somebody who is motivated, somebody who is willing to take some risk on a new program, because they are learning on their own and going through and doing the research that they need to do to really understand and comprehend the competencies. I think the biggest piece is this: if you are passionate and you are an individual who is take-charge, you are going to do very well. PAGE 12

How are FlexPath students supported? Faculty help learners understand where and how they can improve. Cheryl Bann, PhD, Faculty Chair in Capella s School of Business and Technology How do faculty interact with FlexPath students? FlexPath faculty provide comprehensive feedback on submitted work, helping individual students understand what they did well and what they can improve upon (and how they can improve their work). They also provide insight into how well the individual has demonstrated competency. Do FlexPath students have access to faculty outside the courseroom? Beyond their role in the courseroom, FlexPath faculty work in collaboration with the FlexPath tutors and coaches to fully support the learning process within the FlexPath model. Successful FlexPath students are those who embrace responsibility for their own learning by carefully planning their time, organizing their approach to the topic, asking questions, and seeking to do their best work. PAGE 13

FlexPath is organized to fit your life. FlexPath eliminates preset class times and deadlines for an innovative approach that allows you to go as fast or as slow as you need to. PAGE 14

MOVE AT THE SPEED OF YOU CONI S STORY All of the control was in my hands. I reached a point in my career where I was really excited about looking at that next opportunity. I had been approached internally by another group within my organization and one of the first pieces of feedback after they reviewed my resume was, Where did you go to school? Do you have a degree? And I said, No, I don t. And they said, Sorry, we can t even talk to you without at least an undergraduate degree. That was the defining moment for me that sent me back to college. Coni P., a Global Technology Manager for a Fortune 500 company, had steadily advanced in her career without a degree. She didn t go back to school because she didn t think she needed to. After 30 years, however, the lack of a degree caught up with her. Coni returned to school for her bachelor s degree at 50 years old. She was in a traditional online program for two years, but was frustrated with the process not being able to go as fast as she wanted, waiting for classmates to contribute to team assignments, and acting as a mentor to younger students. So Coni enrolled in FlexPath and quickly discovered she liked the ability to control her pace. She liked being able to focus on learning new skills. All of the control of this program was in my hands. I had the ability to go as fast or as slow as I wanted. I could work on my classes whenever it was convenient for me. The only restriction was I had to finish any class I started within the quarter. The program framework is based on demonstrating your knowledge of the subject matter you re studying. It isn t about taking a test or checking the box. It s about really being able to articulate and demonstrate what you know, why you know it, and how you know it. FlexPath has given me some great opportunities. The classes reflected a lot of things that I already knew, helped clarify some things that I didn t know, and taught me things that I never thought I would ever learn. DEGREE EARNED VIA FLEXPATH: Bachelor s in Management and Leadership Read and see more of Coni s story PAGE 15

FlexPath is affordable. There s just one flat tuition fee every 12 weeks, no matter how many courses you complete. Got lots of time on your hands? Complete four courses. Need time to focus on work and family? Enroll in just one. The cost is the same. Your pace determines the total cost of your tuition. PAGE 16

GETTING A DEGREE FAST TARISHIA S STORY The only regret I have is that I didn t start it sooner. Each year I put it off. Then I finally decided I could no longer put it off because there was never going to be a right time. It was just going to be opportunity that I had to take. From the start, Tarishia knew that an online program was her best option. She began her standard path program at Capella in 2013, but was concerned about the amount of time that assignments and discussions took. She discovered FlexPath when talking to her advisor. Tarishia M. is a Transportation Engineer for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. She earned her associate s degree in 2008 at the same time her daughter graduated with a bachelor s degree. She wanted to go back for her bachelor s, but when would she have the chance? I told my advisor I wanted to complete my degree before 2016. I explained how many courses I had left, and asked if it was possible to complete them if I switched to the FlexPath program. She said, Looking at it, yes, it s possible. Tarishia made the transition to FlexPath and didn t look back. But that doesn t mean it was easy. I was not able to balance work, life, and school that easily. I m an ordained minister. Work, ministry, family, social life, and friends no, it was not easy to balance. But the degree was important to me. I wanted it because I deserved it. When I looked at it that way, it became easier to balance, and the balance is much easier with FlexPath because you have the option to wrap your education around your lifestyle. FlexPath gave me flexibility. I had a choice. I d give up a weekend to complete three assignments. Then I could spend the following weekend with my husband. The speed is determined by you. You can complete the work in six weeks, or you can complete it within three weeks, depending on the work. It s up to you. DEGREE EARNED VIA FLEXPATH: Bachelor s in Business Administration Read and see more of Tarishia s story PAGE 17

FlexPath is practical and applicable. Students focus on demonstrating competencies, and those competencies can immediately be put to use in the workplace. PAGE 18

A PERFECT FIT FOR WORKING ADULTS JACOB S STORY After four years, Jacob still hadn t completed his degree. So he began researching online options. That s when he came across Capella. For me, what really stuck out with Capella is: One, it was accredited. And two, FlexPath. It was unique. And it was exactly what I needed in terms of flexibility. I just really wanted to work at my own pace and get through school on my own terms. Jacob S. is a manager in a Fortune 50 retail company. He started his bachelor s online at a community college, but transferred to a traditional college after two years. That environment wasn t a good fit for Jacob either, however, because he was working at the same time. Not only did FlexPath fit his schedule, Jacob was also able to take what he d learned in his courses and apply it at work. I took something straight out of my learning experience through some of my leadership courses and implemented it as part of my daily routine at work. I think it is one of the core things that I really enjoyed about my program it s so practical in the sense of it applied directly to the work I do every day. After completing his bachelor s, Jacob immediately started an MBA program through FlexPath. The formatting is very similar, but there is definitely an extra level of challenge involved. Again, the format itself is what really works for me. I work 50 to 60 hours a week and I am still able to manage that experience through FlexPath because it allows me to be so flexible with my studies. DEGREE EARNED VIA FLEXPATH: Bachelor s in Business Administration Hear more of Jacob s story PAGE 19

A DIRECT PATH TO CEO RODNEY S STORY It turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I d been applying for some CEO positions in my industry, and it said on the requirements that an MBA or advanced degree is preferred. So I thought, this is one way to differentiate myself. I would have my MBA and one more tool in my tool bag to get a job. I saw a TV commercial for FlexPath and I thought, I ll check this out. I was registered and in the program about 10 days after that. It turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. In 2013, Rodney S. was COO of a financial organization in Arkansas. Armed with a bachelor s degree and many years of professional experience, he never thought he needed an advanced degree to continue advancing in his career. That changed when he began considering his next move. I chose FlexPath because it fit my life right now. I m in control of how fast or how slow I want to move through my program. Some sessions I take two classes if that s what my schedule allows, and some sessions I take four. I haven t had any conflicts with work. I haven t had any conflicts with my personal life. It s fit very nicely into the free time I do have. Rodney did have some initial reservations about FlexPath. It s been several years since I ve been in a college environment where I had to turn in papers for grades, so I was a little concerned about how I would do. But after I got through the first couple of classes, it was a lot of fun. One of the great things about FlexPath is that you can take both what you ve learned in your career and apply it to the program and you can take information that you learned from the program and apply it to your everyday life. At this point in my career, I could apply a lot of the experience that I ve had to the assessments. Today, armed with his MBA, Rodney has achieved his career goal with a promotion to President and CEO of his financial organization. DEGREE EARNED VIA FLEXPATH: MBA in Finance See more of Rodney s story PAGE 20

Do you have what it takes to make FlexPath work? A successful FlexPath student: Sets goals and sees them through Has better than average time-management skills Is highly motivated and likes working autonomously Likes an online learning environment Is comfortable building and using a support network to help stay on track If you prefer a more structured approach to learning, Capella s credit-bearing programs also provide flexibility and a direct path to your goals, but with set due dates, required course materials, and faculty-led discussions. Is FlexPath Right for You? Take the Assessment PAGE 21

Advice from FlexPath Alumni FlexPath is a great option for folks who really want to go get it done, who ve already got experience, and who don t want to spend lots of time going back to school to get their degree. They can leverage what they already know and finish their degree in a much shorter period of time. - Coni P. I would recommend FlexPath to anyone who has a desire to make themselves better and improve their education. It s really designed for anybody who s dedicated and disciplined enough to reach a goal that they set for themselves. I don t think it eliminates anybody. I think it s open to anybody and anyone who wants to get their degree. - Rodney S. It s easy to get overwhelmed when you first enter a course. Take time to read through the material and utilize the available resources. If you struggle with writing, there s a whole center developed around it. If you struggle with procrastination, there are tons of ways you can approach that. Focus on what is in front of you and utilize all the things that Capella offers to navigate that process. - Jacob S. Don t be afraid. Be open to the program. Look at all the options that it has to offer. Let go of your fears, or use that fear to push you forward, instead of being held back by it. - Tarishia M. PAGE 22

Is FlexPath an option? FlexPath is currently available for select bachelor s, master s, MBA, and certificate programs in Business, IT, Nursing, and Psychology. Business Bachelor s Accounting Business Administration Health Care Management Human Resource Management Project Management Management and Leadership Business Master s of Business Administration (MBA) Accounting Business Intelligence Entrepreneurship General Business Administration Global Operations and Supply Chain Management Health Care Management Human Resource Management Project Management Business Certificates Business Intelligence* Business Management* Entrepreneurship* Management Consulting* Nursing Bachelor s RN-to-BSN* Information Technology Bachelor s General Information Technology Information Assurance and Security IT Project Management Minor: Network Technology: Cisco Minor: Network Technology: Microsoft Minor: System Development: Mobile Minor: System Development: Web Application Information Technology Master s General Information Systems & Technology Management Project Management Psychology Bachelor s General Psychology Psychology Master s Child and Adolescent Development Educational Psychology General Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Sport Psychology *This program is currently not approved for federal financial aid by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). PAGE 23

FlexPath Resources Is FlexPath Right for You? Take the Assessment Compare Capella s Standard Online Path and FlexPath FlexPath Admissions Requirements CONTACT US: 1.866.933.5819 CAPELLA.EDU REQUEST INFORMATION See graduation rates, median student debt, and other information at www.capellaresults. com/outcomes.asp ACCREDITATION: Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION: https://www.hlcommission.org, 800.621.7440 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY: Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227-3552) 2015 Capella University 15-8477a PAGE 24