Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
The for-profit online university Capella was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging the school focuses on growing enrollment, but neglects current students.
Two former Capella University students allege in their class action lawsuit that Capella falsely advertises the time and money it takes for students to get their degrees.
The plaintiffs say that the for-profit university pours resources into recruiting new students at the expense of current students, leading to decreased resources, high instructor turnover, and delays.
“Capella essentially operated a ‘bait and switch’ program,” alleges the Capella University class action lawsuit. “The bait was displayed when Capella’s marketing materials and recruiters misled prospective and current students making misleading statements about the time to completion and cost of their mostly student-loan financed doctoral degrees.”
One of the plaintiffs alleges that she spent more than $50,000 trying to get a doctor of nursing practice degree. She says Capella advertises the degree as taking 30 months and costing $35,000 in tuition, but despite earning high grades, the plaintiff says that delays and instructor turnover led her to quit and pursue her degree elsewhere.
The other plaintiff says she spent more than $100,000 in tuition at Capella pursuing a doctor of education degree based on false promises that the degree would take three years. The plaintiff also alleges she earned top grades, but when it came to making progress to finishing her degree, Capella only presented barriers and hurdles.
“Instead of completing the promised doctoral degree program requirements and being awarded a doctoral degree in the advertised time, Capella employed the ‘switch,’” says the Capella University class action lawsuit. “Capella created an endless routine of hurdles and benefitted from additional tuition payments. Students who believed they were getting ever closer to obtaining their doctoral degree were in fact stuck with decreasing resources, faculty turnover, disorganization and a lack of oversight, all of which increased the length of the doctoral students’ enrollments at Capella.”
According to the Capella class action lawsuit, the online nature of the programs offered by Capella makes it difficult for students to realize that their peers are facing the same obstacles as they are in finishing their degree.
The plaintiffs say that they and thousands of other frustrated students are at the mercy of Capella advisors “who can and did ensure that doctoral students would be misled, confused, and ultimately cheated out of their money to the benefit of Capella.”
The Capella University class action alleges that Capella banks on the “crushing student debt” created by the delays and hurdles it creates to force students to un-enroll before finishing their degree so they can work to pay back that debt. Further, alleges the Capella class action lawsuit, the credits awarded by Capella are useless because other institutions will not accept them.
The plaintiffs seek to represent other Capella students nationwide who enrolled and paid tuition starting in 2006, along with Kansas and Tennessee subclasses.
The Capella class action lawsuit seeks damages as well as a court order stopping Capella from its alleged bait and switch and false marketing. The plaintiffs also want Capella to disgorge all profits from “excessive doctoral program coursework.”
The former Capella University students are represented by Garrett D. Blanchfield, and Roberta A. Yard of Reinhardt Wendorf & Blanchfield and Paul Lesko of Peiffer Tosca Wolf Abdullah Carr & Kane.
The Capella University Class Action is Wright, et al. v. Capella Education Company, et al., Case No. 0:18-cv-01062-WMW-SER, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
116 thoughts onCapella University Class Action Says Degree Process is ‘Bait and Switch’
I have experienced the same with Capella. I am supposed to be in the 3rd quarter of the DNP Capstone. After the 2nd semester, things were changed. Had to change DPP Form 1&2 and had to complete the new Methodology Form. It is long and drawn out. When asked about the changes, and my frustration with the process, I was told some milestones were eliminatedConfused and feel as though I am doing stomp down research for a Ph.D. degree instead of a quality improvement project. Exhausted at this point.
I have also experienced all the problems mentioned above
I would also like to become part of this lawsuit. I struggled for a year and a half to get a mentor who would respond. My 3rd mentor was a winner and I graduated. However, editing and dead approval took so long that I had to pay for an extra quarter and once the dean approved, they sent the VA my graduation notice. But Capella still charged me for that whole last quarter. It took weeks of fighting just to get them to take off what the spouse GI bill would have covered. Over a year now and I am still trying to finish paying them so they will release my transcripts.
I was enrolled in advanced grad degree program and was never given academic advising support. I was 4 classes in when I contacted the department chair took 2 weeks for her to return my call. The final straw was when my mother in law passed and I asked the professor to allow me to take 2 weeks off and turn in the work when I returned and could even furnish a death certificate. Her reply was “too bad. Read the course policy. And missing 2 weeks you’ll fail” So I asked to withdrawal. Never got done and I’m battling with them. Please let me know how to join
I have also had the same experience with Capella using up my student loans then dismissing me once they had used up all my funds. My mentor took weeks to get back to me and then said basic nothing of any use or help to me. The head of the department also could not relate to my native American subject matter so my case also has some issues with prejudice. I would also like to find out about joining this class action lawsuit.
How can I become part of this lawsuit? I am Capella graduate with more than $200,000.00 in student loans because of this.
I am currently having the same issue with completing my doctorate in education. I have been met with countless delays and was advised early in the process students would have mentors to guide through the capstone process. I have maintained a 3.83 average but fighting to make more changes to the final paper while paying FULL tuition. How can I join the class action lawsuit?
Hi Renee,
I’m in the predicament. Your post “perfectly” describes my situation. My paper (“manuscript”) was approved by three committee members and the mentor, yet, the School labeled it non-performance. I made all the changes the School asked for, and yet, the Mentor wanted more! I have been stuck in the last milestone (5) for 6 months! The counselors are useless! Counselors = marketers.
Same here! I had a mentor and committee switched after chapters 1-3 were approved by the first group. The second group had me rewrite and edit all chapters adding an additional year and setting back to start. Fast forward to now, almost a year later and the school reviewer will not approve. Second denial just received. My mentor says “she is speechless” in response to second denial. This school has done nothing but put up roadblocks and hurtles just to keep taking my money and raising my loans.
I attended Capella. Masters in Clinical Psychology which did not provide the classes necessary to licensure…..so went on to Doctorale in General Psychology promising career as professor claiming a license is not necessary to work in profession …which is false as the universities require a license as part of description. I endure delays 10 weeks at one point, advisor suggested change mentor….changes in process…took two years more than what was presented. Delays changes from quarter to quarter requiring rework exoensive hotels for residences……career services which were ineffective……
MS 2007-2009. Ph d 2009-2015. Told it would be 4 years had my work done but two years of delays. My experience might support your fight.
Email correction
How can I become part of this class action suit?
I agree with this lawsuit. Just recently they switch my degree from the school of psychology to counseling. When I asked about it, they acted like it had been that way the entire time. Lucky for me I have printouts stating the fact. Now I have no desire to finish my doctorate.