With a foundation based in a history of academic excellence in the tradition of Lutheran higher education, Capital University’s undergraduate and graduate programs are preparing students for lifelong learning and professional goals in the global environment of the 21st century. Founded in 1830 as a Lutheran seminary, and chartered as a university in 1850, Capital has been at the forefront of preparing students personally and professionally to achieve their vocational calling. Undergraduate students of all backgrounds and religious perspectives study a curriculum that focuses on a liberal arts foundation, strong major and professional programs, and the development of both a personal and societal ethos.
Capital University includes The College and Law School. The university offers four undergraduate degrees with more than 70 majors, as well as 10 graduate degrees to its approximately 3,700 students. Graduate offerings provide opportunities for degrees in law and graduate tax programs, the master’s of business administration, the master of science in nursing,the master of music in music education, and master of arts in education.
Academic opportunities are enhanced at Capital with the many opportunities for student involvement in co-curricular activities including student government, athletics, music, theatre, and cultural, political and social organizations.
Since Capital is in a metropolitan setting in the Columbus suburb of Bexley, students enjoy academic, cultural, recreational and social activities. Theatres, galleries, museums, shops, restaurants and sporting events are just minutes away from campus.
As the state capital and the largest city in Ohio, Columbus is the home for an increasing number of national corporations. The academic experience at Capital includes a rich variety of internships and educational opportunities for students in cooperation with these businesses, health and other non-profit agencies and governmental offices. In addition, the business community of Columbus is an important employer of Capital University graduates.
Identity
Knowing ourselves
Capital University is a comprehensive, independent university, grounded in the Lutheran tradition. It offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, sciences, and professions. It emphasizes excellence in teaching in a personalized, student-centered environment of robust academic challenge. It is committed to using multiple approaches to intellectual development in order to serve the lifelong learning of a heterogeneous population. It seeks to prepare individuals to live holistic lives of leadership and service.
Mission
Transforming lives through higher education
By drawing upon its Lutheran heritage of free inquiry, Capital University:
- Provides for personal growth by encouraging, enabling, and celebrating learning;
- Prepares individuals to be knowledgeable, independent, critical thinkers - educated for lives of leadership and service in an increasingly diverse society;
- Inspires individuals to be morally reflective, spiritually alive, and civically engaged through our Lutheran heritage of free inquiry.
University Learning Goals
Capital University prepares a diverse student body for life and work through undergraduate and graduate curricula that balance liberal studies with professional and career fields. Through an extensive curriculum and numerous student-centered activities, the effectiveness of which is assessed, Capital University students will develop skills in:
- thinking critically,
- reasoning logically and
- communicating clearly.
Students also will be encouraged to:
- develop their leadership and service potentials,
- become independent, lifelong learners,
- develop a sense of values that guides personal decision making and develop intercultural competencies and the ability to work in diverse groups
Affiliation
Capital University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Capital University is organized into three operating divisions: Academic and Student Affairs, Planning and Advancement, and Business and Finance.
The University
The University’s Academic Affairs division has two primary divisions, the College, under which all academic programs on the main campus are organized, and the Law School, which provides legal and related studies on a separate campus located in downtown Columbus. Five schools comprise the College.
The College
- The School of Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Health is composed of five academic departments including Biological and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Health and Sports Sciences, and Nursing. Through the School of Natural Sciences, Nursing and Health, the university offers the Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science in Nursing; and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is available through both the traditional four-year program of study, an Accelerated Program (C-NAP), and a degree-completion program for registered nurses in collaboration with the office of Adult and Graduate Education. The MSN Program offers tracks in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration,Theological Studies, Legal Studies and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. The following dual degrees are also available: MSN/MBA, MSN/JD, and MSN/MTS. Nursing education post-master’s certificate program and MSN fast-track options are available.
- The School of Management and Leadership is composed of two academic departments: Business and Military Science. Through the School of Management and Leadership the University offers degrees in accounting, financial economics, business management, and marketing. The Master in Business Administration (MBA) is offered through a flexible part-time evening program for working professionals. The MBA also can be earned as part of a joint program with the Capital University Law School (JD/MBA) or with the School of Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Health (MSN/MBA). Business administration majors for working students also are available through Adult and Graduate Education. The Military Science Department houses the Army ROTC program and offers a minor in Military Science and Leadership.
- The School of Social Sciences and Education is composed of five academic departments including Education, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology and Criminology, and Professional Studies. They offer both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work degrees.
- The Conservatory of Music and School of Communication is composed of The Conservatory of Music, and the Communication and Art departments. It offers two undergraduate degrees, the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Arts, and a Master of Music degree in Music Education.
- The School of Humanities is comprised of five academic departments and offers Bachelor of Arts degrees composed of the English, History, Political Science and Economics, and World Languages and Cultures as well as Religion and Philosophy Departments.
The Law School
Interim Dean-Rachel Janutis, J.D.
The Law School became part of the university in 1966. The Juris Doctor degree is awarded upon successful completion of 86 semester hours in either the three-year, full-time day program or the four-year, part-time evening program. A part-time day program began in fall 1999. The graduate programs were established in 1986. These programs include a Master of Laws in Taxation for attorneys; a Master of Taxation for accountants; a Master of Laws in Business and Taxation for attorneys, and a Master of Laws in Business.
Accelerated Bachelor of Arts/Juris Doctor - Qualified Capital University students may earn a baccalaureate degree and a graduate law degree (J.D.) in six rather than the customary seven years. A student seeking to complete the accelerated Bachelor of Arts/Juris Doctor may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in the major and minor of the student’s choice en route to the Juris Doctor. An eligible student must complete all general education, major and minor requirements for the Bachelor of Arts. Successful completion of the first 24 hours of graduate credit hours earned at Capital University Law School with the letter grade of C or better may be applied as elective credit toward the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Bachelor of Arts degree will be conferred after the successful completion of the first 24 hours of law school credit.
Because a student may earn an accelerated BA in any recognized major or field of study, major and minor requirements for each student will vary according to chosen field of study. The general education core will remain unchanged for students in the accelerated program.
For consideration of admission to the Capital University Law School as part of the accelerated BA/JD program, an eligible student must meet the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 100 semester undergraduate hours. Sixty semester credit hours must have been earned from Capital University (i.e., transfer credit, credit by-examination, and credit recognized through prior learning may not be counted.)
- Complete all general education, major, and minor requirements. Note that the requirements for some courses of study may exceed 100 credit hours.
- Meet the presumptive requirements for admission to the Capital University Law School, including a specified LSAT score and cumulative GPA. Contact the Capital University Law School Admission Department for the specific requirements.
An eligible student must apply to Capital University Law School for admission by following the instructions at: http://law.capital.edu/JD Application Instructions. An interested student should apply during the spring semester of the student’s junior year.
Once matriculated to the Capital University Law School, a student is subject to all Law School policies and procedures, tuition rates, and financial aid awards. A student may apply for baccalaureate graduation and count up to 24 graduate credit hours earned with a grade of C or better toward undergraduate elective requirements. If a student discontinues his or her legal education for any reason (e.g., withdrawal, suspension, dismissal) prior to earning the baccalaureate degree, then the student must apply for readmission to the Undergraduate College. A student who discontinues his or her legal studies may still apply toward undergraduate elective credit any graduate credit hours successfully completed at the Law School.
Articulation Agreements with Other Undergraduate Institutions
Capital University Law School may offer accelerated baccalaureate/juris doctor programs with other regionally accredited institutions. In such cases, the baccalaureate degree would be awarded by the partnering institution.
The Law School offers four joint degree programs. In cooperation with Ohio University, students may earn a Juris Doctor and a Master’s of Sports Administration. Also offered is a joint JD/MSN with the School of Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Health and a joint JD/MBA with the School of Management and Leadership. A joint degree with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Theological Studies is offered in partnership with Trinity Lutheran Seminary. A Juris Doctor student may earn both a Juris Doctor and one of the master’s degrees in three and a half years under the combined degree program.
For a viewbook, application and further information, write Admissions, Capital University Law School, 303 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215-3201; call 614-236-6310; send e-mail to admissions@law.capital.edu; or visit www.law.capital.edu.
The Adult and Graduate Education program is dedicated to serving Capital University’s adult learners. The Center offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Social Work. In addition, registered nurses can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through a degree-completion program. Additional information on Adult and Continuing Education is available in this bulletin.
Accreditations, Authorizations, and Memberships
- North Central Association/Higher Learning Commission; 1921-to present (accreditated)
- Ohio Department of Higher Education; 1969 to present (authorized)
- National Association of Schools of Music; 1932 to present (accreditated)
- Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education; 1998 to present (accreditated)
- Ohio Board of Nursing (approved)
- American College Health Association (member)
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (member)
- League of Ohio Law Schools (charter member)
- American Bar Association; 1954 to present (member)
- Association of American Law Schools (member since 1983)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; 1999 to present (accreditated)
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (member)
- American Chemical Society (approved); 1966 to present
- Council on Social Work Education; 1974 to present (accreditated)
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation; 1966 to present
- Ohio Board of Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education; 1990 to present (accreditated)
Equal Opportunity Policy
Capital University admits qualified students regardless of race, sexual orientation, class, religion, gender, age, disability, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the university. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, class, religion, gender, age, disability, or national or ethnic origin in admission, employment, programs, services or activities.
Disabilities Services
Capital University welcomes students with disabilities to be an integral part of the educational community. Our mission is to coordinate support services and accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equal educational opportunities and equal access to university life. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) seeks to make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities through appropriate modification of educational procedures and methods used to assess student performance. Students with disabilities who wish to receive assistance from the ODS are responsible for disclosing their disability to the ODS. Students should use the following steps as a guideline for requesting services: (a) complete the Student Request for Accommodations form; (b) submit a Certificate of Professional Authority completed by a qualified evaluator, accompanied by supporting records; and (c) arrange an appointment with the Disability Services Coordinator.
The aforementioned forms can be located in the ODS or online at http://www.capital.edu/About-Capital/Disability-Services/. The Disability Services Office is located within the Division of Student Affairs and may be reached by telephone (614.236.6611) or by e-mail (disabilityservices@capital.edu).
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