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, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456, http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/. The Higher Learning Commission grants regional accreditation, the type most common for major public, state, and private universities.
In 2000, Capella University became the first online academic institution to become a charter participant of the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) of the NCA. AQIP participants commit to a program of continuous quality improvement (CQI) similar to initiatives practiced in private industry.
AQIP provides an alternative model of accreditation maintenance with The Higher Learning Commission. Instead of the traditional 10-year review cycle, AQIP participants adhere to an ongoing annual review regimen. By participating in AQIP, Capella is required to analyze its operational processes and measure outcomes within each of nine different quality criteria, and to set ambitious performance goals, such as converting all its courses to an outcomes/competency-based model.