Embarking on a doctoral journey, especially online, requires robust support and readily accessible resources. At Capella University, the iGuide portal serves as your central hub, providing a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower you throughout your EdD program. Think of iGuide as your virtual campus, offering everything from course access to career services, all tailored to support your pursuit of a Capella Doctorate.
This guide highlights key resources available within iGuide, acting as your initial roadmap to navigate the wealth of support offered. While exploring iGuide directly is the best way to fully grasp the breadth of tools and tutorials available, this overview will orient you to essential services crucial for your success in a Capella doctorate program.
Accessibility and Support for All Learners
Capella University is committed to inclusivity and ensures equal access for all learners.
Disability Services: Dedicated to providing equal opportunities, Disability Services offers accommodations and support for qualified learners with disabilities. Their mission is to uphold academic standards while fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student can reach their full educational potential. This includes educating faculty and staff on disability awareness, relevant regulations, and effective accommodation strategies, reinforcing Capella’s commitment to accessible doctorate programs.
Military Support: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and military families, Capella’s Military Support section within iGuide is dedicated to advocating for and supporting these learners. They understand the demands of military life and strive to ensure military-affiliated students can achieve their educational goals seamlessly. Capella aims to be a leader in military friendliness within higher education, particularly for those pursuing a doctorate.
Career Advancement Resources
Earning a Capella doctorate is often a significant step towards career advancement. Capella provides extensive career services to help you leverage your doctoral degree.
The Career Center: The Career Center is your go-to resource for comprehensive, free services designed to assist in developing and achieving your career aspirations. Whether you are exploring career paths, refining your job search strategies, or perfecting your professional materials, the Career Center offers a wealth of information and personalized support.
- Career Counseling and Job Search Advising: Experienced career counselors are available for personalized consultations via phone or email. They can provide guidance on career planning, job search techniques, and navigating the job market with your new doctorate.
- Resume and Curriculum Vitae (CV) Review: Crafting compelling application materials is crucial. The Career Center staff are experts in resume and CV critique. They offer sample resumes, CVs, and cover letters online to get you started and provide personalized feedback to transform your drafts into powerful self-marketing tools, essential for showcasing your Capella doctorate.
- Online Career Workshops: Participate in web conferences covering vital career topics such as effective job searching, mastering interview skills, and strategic personal marketing. These workshops are designed to equip you with practical skills for career success after your doctorate.
- Career Exploration and Planning Seminar: This free, 10-day, three-unit seminar is invaluable for doctoral learners across all specializations. Facilitated by career counselors within the Capella courseroom, the seminar guides you in articulating your skills, interests, and work values. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of target industries and professions and develop a concrete action plan to achieve your desired career goals, leveraging the power of your Capella doctorate.
Library and Research Support
Robust research skills are fundamental to doctoral success. Capella University Library provides extensive resources and support to fuel your research journey.
The Capella University Library: The Capella University Library is committed to providing effective, timely, and reliable services and resources to support the academic rigor and program completion of all Capella programs, including the doctorate.
- Databases: Access a vast collection of databases offering scholarly journal articles, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, e-books, and dissertations. These databases are crucial for conducting in-depth research for your coursework and dissertation, a cornerstone of your Capella doctorate. The extensive full-text electronic journal collection is accessible from anywhere with internet access through iGuide, ensuring research is convenient and readily available.
- Interlibrary Loan: Expand your research reach beyond Capella’s holdings with Interlibrary Loan (ILL). This service provides access to materials from libraries nationwide. Request books, book chapters, articles, and other resources not available in the Capella Library. Articles and book chapters are typically delivered electronically, and books are sent via mail with prepaid return postage, all at no charge (up to 25 requests per quarter). This service is invaluable for comprehensive doctoral-level research.
- Journal and Book Locator: Quickly determine if the Capella University Library provides full-text access to specific journals or books. Simply enter the title to locate the resource within the library’s databases. For articles, use citation information (year, volume, page numbers) to pinpoint the exact article needed. This tool streamlines your research process for your Capella doctorate.
- Online Guides & Training: Navigate library resources efficiently with online research and instructional guides. These guides are designed to help you conduct library research quickly and effectively, saving you time and maximizing your research productivity during your doctorate.
- Research Help: Capella University librarians are readily available via email and telephone to assist with library research questions and efficient website navigation. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any inquiries. For in-depth research project assistance, schedule an Individual Reference Appointment (IRA) at Residential Colloquia for personalized support from a librarian, directly contributing to the success of your Capella doctorate research.
Writing and Communication Excellence
Clear and effective communication is paramount in doctoral studies. Capella’s Online Writing Center provides resources to hone your writing skills.
The Online Writing Center: The Online Writing Center is a comprehensive suite of resources designed to help you develop clear and impactful writing skills. Mastering academic writing is essential for your doctorate, and this center offers extensive support.
- Writing Feedback: Receive constructive feedback on your writing to improve clarity, coherence, and argumentation.
- Strategies for Writer’s Block and Idea Structuring: Overcome writing obstacles and learn effective techniques for organizing your thoughts and structuring your written work, critical for managing the demands of a Capella doctorate.
- Revision, Editing, and Proofreading Techniques: Refine your writing through effective revision, editing, and proofreading strategies to ensure polished and professional academic work.
- Academic Publishing and Integrity: Gain insights into academic publishing standards and learn about maintaining academic integrity in your doctoral work.
- Writer’s Relief: Access resources to manage writing-related stress, promoting well-being throughout your doctoral journey.
- Capella University Writing Handbook: Capella University’s Writing Handbook is a downloadable resource packed with writing guidance. It covers key areas including:
- Writing Process: Understand the stages of effective writing.
- Grammar: Strengthen your grammatical accuracy.
- Business and Technical Writing: Develop skills in professional communication styles.
- APA Style and Formatting: Master APA formatting, essential for academic writing in your Capella doctorate program.
- Annotated Bibliography: Learn to create effective annotated bibliographies.
Each section of the handbook features online highlights and downloadable PDFs for in-depth information, making it a valuable tool for doctoral-level writing.
Research and Dissertation Support
The dissertation is a significant component of a Capella doctorate. “Research at Capella” provides dedicated support for this crucial phase.
Research at Capella: The Research at Capella section of iGuide is specifically designed to support learners and faculty in the formal aspects of the dissertation research process. This includes guidance on ethics and compliance, as well as resources on publishing, presenting, and securing funding for research, all vital for successfully completing your Capella doctorate.
Academic Advising and Program Planning
Strategic planning is essential for navigating your doctoral program efficiently. Academic advisors are key partners in this process.
Advising and Program Planning: Academic Advisors are experts in degree planning, course selection, university policies, and navigating academic challenges. Given the unique structure of the EdD program, advisors provide crucial guidance throughout your Capella doctorate journey. Advising and Program Planning resources include:
- Getting Started and Tools: Identify essential resources and documents needed for effective degree planning and program success.
- Degree Planning: Understand course requirements for degree completion and access helpful long-term planning tips tailored to your school and degree level.
- Advisor Role/Contact Information: Learn how academic advisors can support you in achieving your academic goals and how to connect with them.
- Key Policies and Additional Information: Familiarize yourself with important university policies relevant to learners.
- Maintaining Your Plan: Gain insights into maintaining momentum and progress towards program completion.
- Preparing for the Next Stage: Receive guidance on preparing for upcoming stages of your coursework or degree progression, ensuring a smooth path to your Capella doctorate.
General Support Services
Capella offers a wide range of general support services to address various needs throughout your doctoral program.
Support Services: Under the Support Services tab in iGuide, you’ll find academic support, iGuide assistance, bookstore information, courseroom troubleshooting, and general learner support. Assistance is readily available by calling 1-888-CAPELLA or by clicking on Contact Learner Support. This ensures you have access to help whenever you need it during your Capella doctorate.
Licensure Support: For programs that may lead to professional licensure, Licensing Resources are available to assist you in:
- Determining if licensure is necessary for your career goals after your doctorate.
- Identifying the specific type of license that may be required in your field.
- Locating the resources needed to conduct thorough licensure research for your chosen profession.
By leveraging these comprehensive resources within iGuide, you can confidently navigate your Capella doctorate program and maximize your potential for academic and professional success.
