What to Do If Your Capella Submission Is Returned

At Capella University, students pursue academic growth through a modern and flexible learning model—particularly within the FlexPath program, which allows learners to progress at their own pace. One defining aspect of this format is the assessment-based evaluation system, where students submit assignments to demonstrate their mastery of course objectives rather than taking timed exams.

However, what happens when your submission is returned?

It’s a common occurrence and not something to fear. Receiving a returned submission doesn't mean failure—it means you’ve been given the opportunity to strengthen your work, fill in gaps, and improve your understanding. In fact, it's an essential part of Capella’s model, which focuses on competency-based learning.

This article will walk you through what to do if your Capella submission is returned, how to interpret faculty feedback, and the best ways to resubmit for success. We’ll also explore proven strategies and highlight how this feedback loop can actually deepen your learning experience and help you reach your academic goals faster.

Step 1: Don’t Panic—It’s Part of the Process

First and foremost, don’t take a returned submission personally. Capella’s learning model is built on continuous improvement, and most students have at least one assessment returned during their academic journey. In fact, the return is a sign that your faculty member is helping guide your understanding more deeply, rather than just checking a box and moving on.

Think of it this way: in a traditional class, you might receive a grade and move on without ever addressing your weak areas. In Capella’s format, you get a second (or third) chance to meet every competency required. That’s not punishment—it’s a chance to truly master the material.

So when you see that notification saying your assessment was returned, remind yourself: this is part of how Capella helps you grow.

Step 2: Review the Feedback Thoroughly

The most important step after your submission is returned is to carefully review the faculty feedback. Don’t skim through it. Don’t just look at the score. Read each comment closely and line by line.

Faculty members align their feedback with the assessment rubric, meaning they’re pointing out exactly where you met—or didn’t meet—specific criteria. Their suggestions often include phrases like "expand upon this idea," "include scholarly support," or "this section lacks clarity." These aren’t just surface-level critiques—they’re direct paths to improvement.

Let’s say you're working on a Capella Flexpath Assessment, and the feedback highlights a weak connection to evidence-based practice. That tells you two things: 1) you need to enhance the evidence in your assignment, and 2) you likely need to cite higher-quality or more relevant sources.

Make a list of all suggested improvements and tie each one back to the corresponding rubric item. This mapping approach ensures your revisions are precise and relevant.

Step 3: Reflect Before Revising

After reading the feedback, take a moment to reflect—not just on the technical issues, but also on your approach to the assessment. Were you rushing to meet a personal deadline? Did you misunderstand part of the instructions? Or did you maybe submit without revisiting the rubric thoroughly?

Reflection is a key element of the learning process. It helps identify what habits are helping or hindering your progress. Some students find it helpful to journal their experiences after each assessment—what worked, what didn’t, and how they felt throughout the process. Over time, these reflections can guide improvements in future assignments.

For example, in a more advanced course like nurs fpx 4015 assessment 4, you might realize that your evidence lacked sufficient integration with clinical judgment. Recognizing this through faculty feedback allows you to revise not only that assignment but also to sharpen your skills for future assessments across multiple courses.

Step 4: Revise Strategically Using the Rubric

Now it’s time to revise—but don’t just fix the sentences your instructor commented on. Instead, go back to the full rubric and evaluate your submission against every single criterion again.

The smartest students take a structured approach:

Re-read the assignment instructions. Make sure your understanding is accurate.
Revisit the course readings and research. If faculty suggested adding more scholarly references, this is your opportunity to strengthen your academic foundation.
Use a color-coded system to mark what was previously submitted, what needs changes, and what is newly added. This ensures your revisions are targeted and well-integrated.
Peer-review your revised draft or use AI-driven tools like Grammarly and citation checkers to ensure clarity and correctness.

In assessments like nurs fpx 4015 assessment 5, where patient care models and evidence-based practice integration are critical, your revision should not only fix surface errors but go deeper—connecting theoretical models with clinical outcomes and demonstrating your critical reasoning skills.

Step 5: Ask for Clarification If Needed

One of the smartest things you can do after a submission is returned is to communicate with your instructor. If the feedback isn’t completely clear or you’re unsure how to improve a certain section, don’t guess—ask.

Capella faculty are approachable and genuinely want to see you succeed. Reach out with a concise, respectful message. You might say:

“Hi Professor, thank you for your feedback on my last assessment. I’m working on revisions and wanted to clarify your comment about integrating more peer-reviewed sources. Are there specific sections you’d like me to expand upon?”

This shows initiative and respect, and more often than not, faculty will appreciate your proactive attitude. It also helps build a collaborative learning relationship that can be useful across the duration of your program.

Step 6: Submit with Confidence

Once your revisions are complete, give your assessment a final review—ideally, after stepping away from it for a few hours or overnight. A fresh set of eyes (even your own after a break) can catch things you might’ve missed.

Check your formatting, make sure all rubric items are met, and ensure that your voice is clear and confident. If you’ve incorporated all feedback and enhanced the quality of your submission, you should feel good about resubmitting.

After hitting "submit," monitor your dashboard for updates, and be ready to receive either a passing score or further guidance.

Step 7: Apply the Lessons Forward

One of the biggest mistakes students make is treating returned assessments as isolated incidents. But every piece of feedback contains insight that can benefit your future assignments.

Keep a dedicated document or spreadsheet where you track common feedback themes. Maybe you often get comments about needing stronger transitions, more citations, or clearer topic sentences. Identifying these patterns lets you proactively address them in future work.

This habit of continuous improvement is one of the hallmarks of successful Capella students. Over time, you'll find that fewer of your assessments are returned—and when they are, your revisions become quicker and more effective.

Why Returned Assessments Are Opportunities, Not Obstacles

It’s easy to feel frustrated or discouraged when an assessment is returned, especially if you put a lot of time into the initial submission. But perspective is everything.

Returned assessments are not signs of failure—they’re invitations to grow. Each piece of feedback is a guidepost pointing you closer to the mastery Capella requires. And because Capella's model allows for multiple resubmissions without penalties, you’re given the freedom to learn deeply and comprehensively.

This is particularly beneficial in programs that deal with critical subjects like nursing, healthcare management, or business, where mastery isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about being prepared for real-world decision-making.

MORE ARTICLES