How to Apply to Capella University

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Before you apply: admission requirements

All Capella applicants must meet the following admissions criteria. Some degree programs and certificates have additional requirements. GRE, GMAT, SAT or ACT are not required for admission. Take a look at the requirements and find everything you need to start your application.

$0 Application fee

Apply today with no application fee and no hidden fees for transcripts or transfer credit evaluation.

Identification

Applicants must provide a valid, government-issued form of photo identification.

Transcripts

Provide copies of official transcripts from previous institutions for relevant coursework.

Minimum GPA

Each program has specific minimum GPA requirements for admission.

Acknowledgment agreement

Agree to abide by Capella policies and program requirements.

English proficiency

All applicants must understand, read, speak and write fluently in English.

Are you an international student?

• Individual programs
• Doctoral
• Master's
• Bachelor's
• Learning format requirements

Some Capella degree programs have additional admission requirements. See the program page or ask an enrollment counselor for details. These requirements may include:

• Forms and documents disclosing licensure information, background and work experience
• Letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Essay or writing sample
• Faculty interview
• Registration acknowledgement form

• Master’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
• Your official master’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission. Also, admission requirements for international students may differ.

• Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency, or from an internationally recognized institution
• Your official bachelor’s transcripts
• Minimum GPA as determined by your chosen program

Certain degree programs – such as counseling, social work, and nursing – may have additional requirements. International students also must submit proof of English proficiency and transcript evaluation.

While some institutions may ask for scores from the GRE, GMAT, SAT, or ACT, these tests are not required as part of admission for Capella.

• Admission application – no application fee required
• High school diploma or equivalent
• A transcript of any reported GED
• 4.5 credits eligible for transfer. See Sophia Admissions Pathways as an option to obtain credits.
• Applicants under the age of 24 must also submit a high school transcript verifying graduation
• A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
• Additional transfer credit and/or GPA requirements depending upon learning format

SAT and ACT are not required for admission.

GuidedPath

• Students pursuing a certificate or taking individual courses must meet the minimum education requirements determined by the degree level of their course registration
• Bachelor’s students must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 4.5 transfer credits. Students under the age of 24 must also submit a high school transcript verifying graduation.
• Master’s students must have a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or internationally recognized institution
• Doctoral students must have a master’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or internationally recognized institution

FlexPath

Bachelor’s programs

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Students under the age of 24 must also submit a high school transcript verifying graduation
• 45 applicable college credits
• The recommended minimum GPA is 2.8 OR at least 100 applied transfer college credits (Applicants with a lower GPA and less than 100 applied transfer college credits may have the option to satisfy GPA and/or transfer credit requirements through successful completion of gen ed courses through our affiliate Sophia prior to starting a Capella degree program.)

Master’s programs

• Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency, or from an internationally recognized institution
• Recommended minimum college GPA: 2.8 (Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered by providing additional documentation for a holistic review.)
• Some programs require that your bachelor’s degree be in your intended field of study, or that you have a minimum amount of relevant, professional experience in that field.

Don’t qualify for FlexPath? You have the option to start your program in our GuidedPath format. When you successfully complete a set number of courses at a 2.8 GPA or higher, you can transfer into FlexPath.