Capella University
Reviews and Complaints

I am a former student of Capella University's Doctoral Program in

Psychology. Due to an unreasonable required long-distance

travel component of the program, which was promoted as fully

online, and was not adequately described during enrollment, I

needed to drop the program. The only hint that something might be wrong down the line was the first class' strange obsession with making sure your "employer supports your academic goals". But it wasn't made clear until it was abruptly mentioned that we would be required to perform a "Year in Residence", requiring actual airplane travel and 10-week hotel stays at a time, several times, for completion of the degree. What employer would ever tolerate an employee that needs to disappear for weeks on end?

I finished my last quarter with the school mid-June, and my grades and transfer transcripts were not ready to be sent to me/my new program until July 1st, when I requested them, and waited for confirmation that the request

would be processed, which arrived on July 3rd. Then I initiated a

full program drop July 3, online as that is their only option to do

so. Their system gives no confirmation that the request has been

initiated by email or other on-portal records, only a single

confirmation screen which times out. I expected the process to

be slow over into the July 4th holiday long weekend, so I was not

initially concerned until I began receiving welcome letters for the

new term and instructions for booking hotel rooms around July

10th. I went back to the portal and could find no

sign that my drop request was received. I initiated another, and

screenshot the confirmation screen, then began calling Capella to verify receiving this new attempt. They claimed that the July 4th request was never received, and only after I said I had screenshot the new drop request confirmation screen on July 11th that they were suddenly able to

"find" the drop request for July 11th. They said it would be a

"week" for it to complete but, only after calling in a third time to verify status did I receive an email confirmation of program withdrawal on July 25th, after calling a again verify that it had actually gone through. I then received an email making my drop date July 11th, not the July 4th date that it should have been.

At no time did I engage with the course content or open any of the items for the term I was enrolled in without my consent. However, now I am being billed fees for the first year in residence event and seminar I did not attend, and never interacted with. Capella has been refusing to return calls, messages and keeps saying they have "reported it" but would not give details about who it was reported to, or timing for reponses, or respond to questions about why I am being billed or how to remove the charges for services not rendered.

Hello l enrolled at Capella University in their doctoral program. I received a grant of 12500 from them that was never applied fully. Only 1 disbursement was made and when l asked about it no one could tell me why. Then they advised l had a balance but l had that grant that they were not disbursing. Therefore because of financial aid l had to withdraw. In 2020 I got COVID and the end of 2021 l got COVID again. I was told there was a department that could help me return back to school because of me having COVID. I reached out to the academic advising department that advised me they could not help me. I would like to return to Capella but they are giving me the run around.

I am a PhD student in the field of psychology. As a frontline worker it's important to finish my program but financial is preventing me to do so. They told me that they needed more transcripts which I have provided multiple times and each time they make up an excuse to why they can't accept them. Even my enrollment counsellor admitted to being confused by the FA dept. One week they will request my transcripts in a certain form, I will provide it in that form and then the next week they claim they need it in the opposite form. I have kept all the emails they sent contradicting themselves. Also some of the transcripts they required was for a school I never attended. They requested I give them transcripts from Concord and I graduated from Purdue. It seems to be blatant discrimination. For I have provided all the requirements 10x over and I still have a hold but my lawyer will deal with this and have it taken off. Capella is not only stressing my livelihood but the livelihood of others since I am a frontline worker! In these trying times, this school should hold better dignity and allegiance to helping get through this pandemic!

Completed my classes for Phd program in nursing. Stepped away from program for a few months. Returned to nursing program to complete my dissertation. Capella discontinued the nursing program and I was informed I would have to take more classes in another education option outside of nursing. I was already in debt for 70,000 dollars and I couldn't afford any more classes.

To Whom It May Concern,

I have problems with financial Aid started back on April, I couldn't take my class the school withdraw me because funds.I have to fight over and took 1 semester to adjust again. I lost my grant because I didn't have my academic advisor never reach me after the fact to explain to me that in order for me having award grant I have to taking a minimum of 7 credits. So again my distribution will not be able to cover my summer semester and maybe I will not be able to do again for the summer.

I graduated with a Master of Science degree in psychology with a 4.0 gpa from Capella in September of 2021. I became employed as a behavior specialist in January of 2022. In order to become licensed, I am following the protocol from the State Board of Medicine who have insured me that a Master's degree in psychology would qualify me for the education requirement. However, after forwarding the paperwork to Capella, they refuse to verify any type of education with them, not even my attendance. I have had my official transcripts sent to the board. This is the only thing standing in my way of becoming licensed and I don't know what to do about it.

My last quarter at Capella from Jan 2022 to Mar 2022 left me with a balance that financial aid should have taken care of except for $70 dollars. After three weeks of waiting for my financial aid to hit my account, I called to inquire what was going on with my account. I was told numerous stories from I had exhausted my financial aid to I had some financial aid left. I called on almost a daily basis and waited from an hour to an hour and a half to speak with someone. I received an email that the financial aid dept accepted my award amount left on my lifetime approach of financial aid. I still have the email. One rep told me that a late disbursement could happen once the compute system was updated. One rep told me that one system was lagging behind the other which resulted in the system thinking I was out of financial aid. I continue to call once my program ended but the rep said it was nothing she could do since I was no longer a student but did confirm that I had financial aid left. She explained my only options was to take out a private loan or pay the balance. I asked her if a supervisor could call me, and this was back in April. I am still waiting on that phone call as of May 2, 2012 @ 2:23pm eastern time.

I applied for financial aid and signed a Promissory Note. They kept sending me notices and I contacted Financial Aid. They are saying that my loan was denied in April! I did not know what they were talking about as I completed 3 classes already! How did I get to move forward without a loan in place?. I know I signed a promissory note. I am going to report this school for deceptive trade practices and by reading all the other grievances about their financial aid department, I am going to seek representation about starting a class action lawsuit. This school is ripping people off!

I enrolled in Capella's MBA program, as my previous employer paid for the degree. However, I ended up terminating my employment at the organization and did not find that I could continue at the time.

I contacted the academic coach, who gave me instructions to "engage" in the class, even if I could not submit assignments, to prevent getting removed from the program. I followed her advice and later realized that the program was not going to work out for me. However, the academic coach I had been working with moved on.

I eventually withdrew from the program altogether and was planning to pay off what I owe for the first billing cycle. However, the bill included the second billing cycle as well. After numerous phone calls, I received an email that confirmed that I was only expected to pay $1275 to satisfy what I owe. However, Capella refuses to adjust the bill; they insist that I pay $2,350, despite the fact that the second billing cycle was supposedly dropped to "$0" because I did not complete any courses.

I transferred to Capella University from another school in a middle of an academic year. I am already at the end of the second week of my second quarter there and yet to receive financial aid award. There has been poor communication with that department. There have been requests sent to the supervisor for which I have never received a call back from. I received an email from my loan servicer that capella university informed me they have not gotten the information they need from my former school. This has been going on for over 2 months. I don't understand how they are not able to get in contact with my former school, but I am. Today is the last day for me to drop class and get a refund.

To the attention of:

InternshipCES at Capella University
Dr. Nicole Holby, Assistant Program Director, Clinical Training and Licensure
Ms. Lora Jackson, Academic Coach
Disability Services at Capella University

I am writing to express my deepest concerns and frustrations that an extremely limited set of options were chosen and "dictated" as the only options for Group Supervision in my CES Practicum Course CES8780. The times given were Thursdays at 12:00 CST and 1:10 CST.

I shared with my instructor, Dr. Cooper, that these times were in the middle of my workday and that there was no way I could consistently commit to either time. I stated that I have the following conflicts: 1) a standing 12:30 pm EST meeting every other Thursday; 2) there are from time-to-time planned client programming that can be scheduled on a Thursday that would tie me up from 11:30 am EST to 1:00 pm EST. I have no control over whether these happen or even if they might happen.

Her response was the following and I quote:

"I have placed the times for this course around lunchtime so that you could use your lunch hour to attend the group. I am hopeful you have worked out the schedule. Please let me know which one you would like to attend."

Dr. Cooper

Additionally, I must share that I have been a Capella University student since April 2014, having completed my master's in clinical counseling in December 2017 and then I started the PhD program in Counselor Education and Supervision in January 2018.

In my time with Capella, there have been several courses which have included both optional and required group meetings of the students in the course. Every instructor that I have had always provided at least 2-3 options and these options were never on the same day and always included evening time slots. Additionally, during my Practicum Course for my master's degree in clinical counseling, there were a couple of options provided for the group supervision and this always included an evening time slot.

This is the first time that I have ever seen a limited option of group meetings for students. And I find that to only offer 2 options on the same day 1 hour apart is extremely exclusive and very unrealistic.

I share my immediate and grave concern for a lack of accommodation and attention to make accommodations for those students who work during the day and need an evening time slot for supervision.

I was not able to attend the Week 1 Group Supervision yesterday, October 14th.

I have spoken with Disability Services about my concern and other specific issues related to my circumstances and situations as a learner. They advised me to contact Academic Advising to see about switching course sections to an instructor that is offering more options, including an evening time slot.

I have also spoken with my Academic Advisor, Lora Jackson, and expressed my concerns and asked about switching sections. She advised me to write this email to each of you expressing my concerns and asking for assistance to have this matter resolved and that accommodations and changes be taken into consideration.

I am a recent graduate of Capella University, however during my final semester I was not awarded financial aid due to the mistake of my academic advisor. I was able to complete the program, however I am not able to get my diploma or my transcripts because of a balance that I have. I feel like my academic advisor made a mistake and now I am suffering from it. If it is possible I would like for the university to pay the balance that they have being that it was out of my control and not my mistake that was made.

Marcus Bynum
Wed, May 5, 12:12 PM
to Nicholas

I am frustrated because I am NOW just getting a notification that I need an additional credit course in order to get financial aid. I am frustrated because I had to take out an additional loan just to take this final course and in hopes that this would cover the current balance. I feel like I should have been notified in advance. I'm frustrated and now I'm concerned that I won't get be able to graduate now due to the balance. I was really hoping this financial aid would cover it. Is there some way I can get my financial aid and a refund?

Greenwald, Nicholas
Thu, May 6, 11:29 AM
to me

Hello and good morning,

I understand the frustration. The challenge here is that this is your 6th quarter of supervised hours and these courses are only worth 2 credits. Given this is your first experience with the 2-credit internships (which is the current standard for your program) it is my error that we didn't discuss this beforehand. I apologize for this confusion.

Unfortunately, there is no way for us to get you financial aid for this quarter as it is too late to add any courses to increase the credit load.

I was, however, able to consult with my leader and we can approve a tuition credit request to cover the cost of this quarter's amount. You won't receive any aid or refund, however, it would pay for this course and the materials.

Hopefully it won't be the case, but should you need an additional quarter of internship to complete the relational hours into the Summer Quarter we'll want to connect to ensure you have all the information, etc.

All that being said, there is some other financial aid oddness with your account as you applied for a GRAD Plus loan after the Winter Quarter but before the Spring Quarter. I've reached out to FA leadership to get clarification on this as it is also creating some weirdness with your previous course's disbursement of your GRAD Plus.

That is about all I have for now. More information to come as we hear more, etc.

Nicholas

I graduated last May with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I am completing the process for licensure as a psychological assistant with the state of Nevada and have been trying to get verification completed of my conferred graduation date. The process is arduous and non-responsive after paying close to $200, 000 in tuition fees and 6 years attending Capella University. Since Capella does not have a registrar department to verify this information, I have reached out to the new clinical director of the psychology department (Dr. Ja'net Howard) whom stated in her exact words that "I don't need anything from Capella." When I explained that the verification has to be from a representative of Capella that can verify my graduation date, I was referred to Capella Verification. So, the form apparently has moved and is not located on the page previously found. I reach out to Dr. Issac Martinez and psyfieldtraining and receive the form. I complete the form and email [protected]@capella.edu and receive nothing back. The perplexing conflict here is once the form is submitted to the verifying individual by the credentialing board (ASPPB) there is a window of 24 hours to have this form and verification completed by a Capella representative. My first correspondence with licensure verification occurred on 8/5/2021-nothing heard back. Sent verification form on 8/9/2021-nothing heard back. Submitted to ASPPB the email address to licensure verification from ASPPB and it has not been completed. I explained this to psyfieldtraining and was informed that it could take up to 10 days for a response from licensure verification. It appears to me that as long as Capella is getting money, they assist.

To whom it may concern:

I have been reaching out constantly to the financial aid department regarding my financial aid. I have emailed, tried Ella, tried calling, and even followed up on emails. And yet nobody is answering nor is anyone willing to help. This service is a joke, my other half is looking to go back to school for her Masters and I will be suggesting she goes to school some where else. This type of service is not what I signed up for, because I could not get any help from financial aid, I was forced to drop all my courses. I am attaching how long I was waiting on hold for financial aid, and eventually hung up. I would not recommend Capella University.

I have been enrolled in Capella University in Apr 2019. I was on my final course finishing my masters in IO psychology when Capella started dragging their feet. Needing help I reached out to the professor and tutor. The professor literally spoke in riddles and the tutor did not respond to one single email. Prior to this course I carried a 4.0 and had no problem completing courses well within the 6-8 week timeframe.

I should have finished in Sept 2020 yet due to the issues with the professor and tutor being unresponsive, I realized I need additional help so I reached out to my coach in November. She advised that I should drop the course and be put with a new professor. My coach at the time withdrew me from the class and re-enrolled me with a new professor. Things were going well when I was dropped from the new professor's course by the university due to not finishing in time. I only had 2 weeks to complete a masters thesis. A course that usually takes at least 6-8 weeks.

When I went to address this and get re-registered, the university wanted me to pay $2500 for the course that I was taken out of. I asked for an appeal as it was no fault of my own that CU was unresponsive with the course causing me to retake it again. On December 22 I was told the department would not approve a credit on my behalf. I then asked to speak with a Dean and requested a second appeal. I was told someone would be contacting me after the Holiday. that never happened. In late Jan, a new coach reached out to me introducing herself. She was completely unaware of the situation. I have since complained to as many people as possible to try to get some help.

We are now in late April and was still no help from CU. I have been emailing and calling and never once was I notified of any collection yet a collections agency has started calling me. In fact, I spoke with financial aid on March 8th and was told I could re-register and that the hold on my account was removed. A week later, my coach she said they never told me that and I would have to pay before I can get back into the course. It is 2500 dollars that I can't not just pay out of pocket! I have 3 chapters to complete of my masters and have been getting the run around in regards to getting this resolved. 3 chapters left! It is unbelievable how unethical CU is.

I contacted learner affairs who took two weeks to respond. All the while time is of the essence and I just want to complete my degree and move on. A new grievance was supposedly filed on my behalf yet it has almost been a month and no updates. I have sent one email per week and have not received a response regarding my situation. There is no proof that any complaints have even been filed on my behalf. I have requested my records but I have not received anything.

This has been extremely stressful and is affecting my livelihood and career. Upon researching the university further it appears this is a common theme. During the learners final course, they drag the course out and very few are able to finish. I see the lawsuit only on the behalf of Ph.D students and looking at the government scorecard, the university has only an 11% graduation rate. It is starting to appear to be a scam and I am very concerned. When speaking with my "coach" I became emotional and upset she told me that I was violating their code of conduct.

Like everyone here, I have worked extremely hard to try to complete a masters degree in less than two years. I am hoping someone can help me get this resolved and hold them accountable. I have over 23k in student loans for this education and believe what they are doing is unethical.

Do you know of anyone that is helping with master's learners? I I know there are many other masters learners having issues just in reading reviews on consumer affairs. Please if you are a masters learner comment here so we can keep track.

Capella University sets students up for failure. I entered the PhD program and successfully got to the dissertation phase. At that point, they continued to throw roadblocks at me including having me change subjects every semester (after researching) because my subject wasn't valid (it was fine the previous semester). They play this game until you time out and are 'administratively withdrawn'. After this, I received bills for differing amounts and then they hold my up my transcript due to the disputed amount.

Found out I failed a class, was told by my counselor to send in a retake request. Recurved today that it was denied and I was kicked out of school today while I was actively taking classes.no explanations on why I was denied a retake when I have or is passing all other classes. I am a veteran using gi bill and they just payed for my next three months of school and I'm not able to finish the classes I'm still enrolled in.

Last month, I filed a formal complaint against professor Snarski for my first MBA Leadership course. Professor Snarski's grading criteria was sketchy at best. She deducted too many points for trivial things such as excessive spacing and minor grammatical issues. She cited APA as her criterion yet what she deducted didn't match up with her grading scale. I repeatedly attempted to work with this professor to mitigate this issue. However, it remains unresolved and I received an unfounded grade for the class.

Furthermore, this professor's unprofessionalism has put me on academic probation and I am awaiting a grade appeal. My program transfer is being held up due to this administrative error as well. My anticipated graduation date of December 2020 will be impacted by this error as well.

I submitted my capstone final paper to Capella university review board on January 25. The policy is 2 weeks for a review. The Winter quarter ended on March 15 without any response from the review board. The Spring quarter is about to start and I still have not received a response. I am also requesting tuition credit for the Spring quarter. My mentor has tried to contact some one to inquire about the delay, but no one has an answer. I have reached out to the advising team and they have submitted a complaint and tried to contact someone from the review team. I still have not received an update concerning this matter.