Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited*, fully online university based in Minneapolis, has announced four new specializations. They include Gerontology, a specialization within Capella's Master of Science in Human Services, and Early Childhood Education, a specialization within its Master of Science in Education. Two new bachelor's-level specializations, Homeland Security and Security Management, also are being launched, both within Capella's Bachelor of Science in Public Safety online degree program.
All four specializations were designed to address employment needs in fields that are experiencing change. The Gerontology specialization, designed around the recommendations of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), was developed to help address the shortage of workers with skills and experience in caring for the nation's growing population of older adults, which is expected to more than double between 2000 and 2030, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging.
Professionals who work with the other end of the age spectrum-preschoolers-are experiencing change as well, including an increase in educational standards. According to the National Institute of Early Education Research, 28 states now require lead teachers in state-funded prekindergarten programs to have specialized training.
"There's a growing recognition that early childhood education can have a long-term impact on students' achievement throughout their education, and that teacher training can have a huge impact on the quality of those programs, said Phil Corkill, PhD, faculty director for K-12 Program Development and Delivery in Capella's School of Education. "Our new Early Childhood Education specialization is designed for the licensed teacher who has a passion for education at the early stages of development and wants to pursue specialized training."
Capella's new bachelor's-level specializations in Homeland Security and Security Management reflect the growing need for security professionals in both the public and private sectors. "Since the Department of Homeland Security was created in 2001, it has grown into one of the largest federal agencies, said John Sullivan, Jr., PhD, Public Safety faculty chair in Capella's School of Undergraduate Studies. "Private security, the focus of our Security Management specialization, has also increased in importance. Much of the nation's infrastructure is privately owned and there's a growing recognition that this needs to be protected, for both business and national security reasons."
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for these new specializations. For more information, please call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), option 3, or e-mail info(@)capella.edu.
Review of the Homeland Security and Security Management specializations is pending in AZ, FL, KY, SC, and WA. Review of the Gerontology and Early Childhood Education specializations is pending in AZ, FL, KY, OH, SC, and WA. Contact an enrollment counselor for additional information.
Admission to the Early Childhood Education specialization requires learners to complete and submit the Capella University School of Education Certification of Teacher Licensure form located at www.capella.edu/aspscripts/schools/TeacherLicensure.pdf.
State regulations vary regarding course requirements for professional licensure. For assistance with state-mandated course requirements for licensure, contact the appropriate school representative.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure. The Early Childhood Education program is intended to prepare learners for the state's licensure exam. Attainment of state license is the learner's responsibility. Each learner must determine the requirements of each state in which he/she seeks to be licensed and is responsible for compliance with those requirements.
Prospective Washington state learners are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 360-725-6320 or profed@ospi.wednet.edu to determine whether this education program is approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.
About Capella University
Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited*, fully online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, public health, human services, public safety, and psychology, and bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, health, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella offers 104 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs, as of October 23, 2007. The online university currently serves more than 19,000 students from all 50 states and 56 countries. It is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company (NASDAQ: CPLA), headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).
*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), http://www.ncahlc.org
Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.