Capella University Master's Specialization in Reading & Literacy Receives State Approval.

Minnesota Board of Teaching decision makes Capella the first and only online university to offer a reading and literacy program with Minnesota state approval

MINNEAPOLIS -- Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited,(*) fully online university based in Minneapolis, Minn., has announced that the Minnesota Board of Teaching has granted approval of Capella's Master of Science in education, reading and literacy specialization. As a result, the program is now recognized by the Minnesota Board of Teaching as one that leads to Minnesota licensure as a teacher of reading for qualified candidates. This approval is also significant for teachers residing in states that require graduation from a state-approved program to gain reading licensure or endorsement. Capella is unique among online universities in offering a master's program that has a state-approved specialization in reading and literacy.

"Capella University's master's degree in education, reading and literacy specialization, fully met our standards for state approval," said Richard Simms, teacher education supervisor, Minnesota Board of Teaching. "It is the only reading and literacy program offered by an online university to receive Minnesota approval."

Reading skills have long been considered the foundation of lifelong educational achievement. Capella's reading and literacy specialization helps prepare teachers to become reading specialists, a position that has become increasingly important in recent years, in part because of the additional emphasis that the No Child Left Behind Act has placed on reading skills. The program's curriculum is aligned with nationally recognized teaching standards established by the International Reading Association.

"We are pleased to play a role in helping children better achieve this fundamental skill," said Harry McLenighan, PhD, dean of Capella's School of Education. "Our online reading and literacy specialization provides a flexible way for teachers to enhance their reading instruction skills - to the benefit of students in their own classrooms or even more broadly in their schools and districts, where they can be involved in sharing best practices and key instructional strategies with other teachers."

For more information on Capella's Master of Science in education, reading and literacy specialization, please call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), option 3, or e-mail [e-mail]. Requirements for lane changes, specialist endorsements, and licensing vary by state and school district. Applicants should verify home state and local district requirements prior to enrollment. Prospective Washington state students are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 360-725-6320 or [e-mail] 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. Applicants in Kentucky and Wisconsin are advised that the reading and literacy specialization is not pre-approved for specialist endorsement/ licensure and should verify home state and local district requirements prior to enrollment. Individuals seeking endorsement must perform a transcript review with their state upon completion of their program.

About Capella University

Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited,* fully online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, and psychology, and bachelor's degree programs in business and information technology. Within those areas, Capella offers 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate programs. The online university currently serves 16,300 students from all 50 states and 63 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 a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504; 312-263-0456; www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.