Charter Oak State College: A History of Flexible Education for Adult Learners

Introduction

Charter Oak State College, located in New Britain, Connecticut, stands as a beacon of accessible and flexible higher education, particularly for adult learners. Established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1973, the college has a rich history of innovation in distance learning and credit recognition. This article delves into the college's history, its diverse programs of study, and its commitment to serving the needs of a diverse student body.

Historical Overview

The seeds of Charter Oak State College were sown in 1973 with the creation of the Board of State Academic Awards (BSAA) by the Connecticut General Assembly. Early operations under the BSAA began with its first meeting on November 3, 1973, followed by authorization from the Connecticut Commission for Higher Education on October 1, 1974, to enroll students and award Associate in Arts degrees. The board initially drew on consulting faculty from Connecticut institutions to evaluate credits and portfolios.

In 1980, the Board received legislative authorization to designate its degree program as a college. The name chosen, "Charter Oak College," commemorated an early success in Connecticut's struggle for self-governance and was particularly suited to a public institution in what is popularly known as the Constitution State. By 1992, the institution underwent a name change to Charter Oak State College, reflecting its integration into Connecticut's public higher education system and enhancing its visibility as a state-supported entity. This rebranding supported broader alignment with state educational goals, facilitating increased collaboration with other public institutions.

In 2009, the State statute was changed to grant Charter Oak State College authority to offer Master's degrees. In 2011, the Connecticut Legislature reorganized the state system of higher education, combining the twelve community colleges, the four state universities, and Charter Oak State College under one governing board called the Board of Regents.

The college introduced online course delivery in 1998 through partnerships like the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium, marking an early adoption of digital learning to serve non-traditional students remotely. This innovation expanded access during the 2000s, with bachelor's degree completion programs growing to include structured majors, such as the first approved online bachelor's in health information management in 2012.

Leadership

Ed Klonoski has served as President of Charter Oak State College since 2008, following his initial role as the institution's first Director of Technology starting in 1997. He holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. from the University of Hartford. Under his leadership, the college has expanded its online offerings, solidifying its position as Connecticut's only public online institution dedicated to adult learners and credit transfer. Dr. David Ferreira has been Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs since June 2021, also serving as the Chief Academic Officer. In this role, he oversees academic programs, faculty development, and accreditation processes, ensuring alignment with the college's focus on flexible, competency-based education for nontraditional students. Key leadership also includes Ahmed Omar, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, who supports curriculum innovation and competency-based learning models central to the college's mission.

Accreditation and Governance

Charter Oak is licensed and accredited by the state of Connecticut and regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The College is governed by The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Programs of Study

Charter Oak State College offers a variety of associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs designed specifically for adult learners, emphasizing flexibility through its fully online format and competency-based education model.

Associate Degrees

At the associate level, the college provides Associate of Science degrees, with key offerings including General Studies, Early Childhood Education, and Paraprofessional Studies. These programs incorporate concentrations in areas such as business and health to align with career goals, requiring a minimum of 60 credits focused on foundational liberal arts and specialized knowledge. To earn an associate degree, a student must complete at least 60 credits. At least one half of the credits toward a degree must be earned in subjects traditionally included among the liberal arts and sciences: humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. Achievement in these areas demonstrates breadth of learning.

Bachelor's Degrees

The bachelor's programs form the core of the college's undergraduate offerings, with Bachelor of Science degrees in majors like Business Administration, Cyber Security, Health Information Management, Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, Psychology and General Studies, alongside a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. To earn a bachelor's degree a student must complete at least 120 credits. At least one half of the credits toward a degree must be earned in subjects traditionally included among the liberal arts and sciences: humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. Achievement in these areas demonstrates breadth of learning. In addition, students pursuing a baccalaureate degree must complete a concentration, consisting of at least 36 credits, that demonstrates depth of learning. Specialized areas include Cyber Security for technology-focused careers and Health Care Studies through programs like Health Information Management, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The Business Administration program covers global business principles, organizational management, and concentrations in areas like human resources or marketing. The Early Childhood Education bachelor's degree is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs, a commission of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), ensuring alignment with professional standards in early education. The General Studies Bachelor's degree programs are available with 40 different workforce-relevant concentrations, 12 of which can be completed through the exclusive use of our online courses.

Read also: Explore Degree Options

Master's Degrees

Master's degrees were first introduced in 2016, expanding opportunities for advanced study in leadership and health fields. Current offerings include the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Healthcare Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, and Health Data Analytics, each designed for professionals seeking career advancement through 30-36 credits of specialized coursework.

Certificates

In addition the College offers professional certificate programs and workforce-related credential programs.

Competency-Based Education

Central to all programs is the competency-based education approach, which assesses mastery of skills rather than seat time, enabling faster completion for experienced learners.

Concentrations

A concentration plan, in conjunction with an essay, must be submitted to the faculty for approval. Concentrations may be constructed in many areas, including applied arts, art history, the behavioral sciences, business, child study, communication, computer science, engineering studies, fire service administration, public safety administration, organizational management and leadership, human services, individualized studies, languages, liberal studies, literature, music history, the natural sciences, religious studies, the social sciences, and technology studies.

Flexible Credit Transfer Policy

Students at Charter Oak can take advantage of our flexible credit transfer policy to accelerate their path to degree completion. The college awards credit for:

Up to 87 credits of coursework from other regionally accredited colleges and universities*
Standardized tests (CLEP, DANTES)
Military training and occupation evaluated by ACE
Corporate and agency training programs evaluated by ACE/PONSICredit Assessment Program (CAP)
Portfolio Assessment
Faculty evaluated licensures and certifications

*Charter Oak State College reserves the right to limit or exclude the transfer of credit if the course content, assessment process , or student learning outcomes do not meet Charter Oakâs faculty standards. Given these standards, effective January 16, 2020, credit will no longer be accepted in transfer from the following organizations:

Consortium for International Studies (CIS)
Coopersmith
Rechtschaffen Institute of Judaic Studies (RIJS)
Tor Academy

Students can earn up to 90 credits toward a bachelor's degree through credit for prior learning (CPL), including portfolio assessments, professional certifications, work experience, and transfers from accredited institutions, significantly reducing time and cost.

Student Support and Resources

Student success initiatives encompass mentoring through the Student Association, which hosts workshops, webinars, and networking events to foster academic and personal growth. Financial aid counseling is available to guide students on grants, loans, and scholarships, including the state-funded Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program.

Affordability

Charter Oak is one of the most affordable higher education options. The actual cost of a degree varies based on your individual circumstances, credits earned elsewhere, etc. The college has been ranked among the most cost-effective options for in-state online degrees, with undergraduate tuition at $8,506 as of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Student Body and Graduates

More than 2,000 students are enrolled at the College. Charter Oak State College's adult students include the military, civilian federal and state employees, working adults pursuing first or second degrees, and students taking additional coursework in preparation for graduate school. Charter Oak State College's students are 65% female, 35% male and range in age from 17 to 72, with an average age of 39.

The College has more than 19,000 alumni. In a recent survey, 98% of degree completers indicated being "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with Charter Oak overall. The survey also indicated:

90% were employed full or part-time while completing their degrees
60% gained immediate professional and/or financial recognition from their employers after earning their degrees.
Nearly 41% have been accepted into graduate programs at more than 350 colleges and universities.

Notable Alumni

Charter Oak State College has graduated over 19,000 alumni since its founding in 1973, many of whom have achieved success across diverse fields including business, public service, arts, and sports.

Notable alumni include:

Richard Borer, who earned a Bachelor of Science from Charter Oak and serves as President and CEO of Goodwill of Southern New England, a nonprofit organization; he previously held the position of mayor of West Haven, Connecticut.
Mary-Jane Foster, holding a B.S. in Political Science and Theatre Arts from the college, is a television commercial actress, former owner of the Bridgeport Bluefish minor league baseball team, politician who ran for mayor of Bridgeport, and administrator at Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Robert Gandt, who received a B.A.
Edwin Bailey, who completed his degree at Charter Oak after attending South Carolina State University, played as an offensive guard in the NFL for teams including the Seattle Seahawks and later served as offensive line coach for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen in the XFL.
Marvin Jones, who obtained a B.S. in Sociology from the college, was an NFL linebacker for over a decade with teams such as the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders, earning All-Pro honors and induction into the Florida State University Hall of Fame.

Faculty

Charter Oak students reap the benefits of learning from dedicated and distinguished faculty who hold teaching positions at other accredited colleges and universities and from professionals with expertise in a broad range of career environments. Each faculty member is an esteemed educator unhesitating in his or her desire to challenge, guide and inspire you to achieve your educational goals. Full-time faculty members from public and independent institutions of higher education in Connecticut are appointed to serve as consulting examiners at Charter Oak.

History Courses

HistoryThere are no courses in this department offered at this time. Please check back at a later date.

However, the course catalog lists the following History courses:

History 1: New World Reconstruction (Accelerated)
History 2: United States History Since Reconstruction.
History 3: American Jewish History.
History 4: Lost Women of Science.
History 5: Western Civilization I.
History 6: Western Civilization II.
History 7: Eastern Thought.
History 8: Civil War Era
History 9: American Foreign Policy Since WWII
History 10: China's Cultural Revolution
History 11: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
History 12: History Capstone

History 1: New World Reconstruction (Accelerated)

This course will focus on American history from its colonial foundations to the Civil War and Reconstruction. It provides students with knowledge and understanding of the major political, social, and economic movements, as well as leading historical figures in American history up to 1877. This course is an approved Survey Course in United States History for teacher certification in Connecticut.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe pre-Colombian societies and the clash of cultures between the Native-Americans and Europeans.
Trace the evolution of the English settlements from âtransplantationsâ to âmiddle grounds.â
Examine the society and culture of Provincial America.
Analyze the causes of the tension between the colonies and Great Britain prior to American Revolution.
Describe how and why the thirteen colonies won the Revolutionary War and what problems faced the newly independent republic.
Discuss the making of the US Constitution and the political battle between federalists and anti-federalists.
Describe the political, economic, and social characteristics of America during the Jeffersonian Era.
Explain the conflict between sectionalism and nationalism and the nature of economic growth during this period.
Examine the political, economic, and social characteristics of America during the Jacksonian Era.
Analyze the causes and impact of American economic growth in the 1830s and 1840s.
Describe the economic and social characteristics of the âOld South.â
Examine the various antebellum reform movements.
Define the idea of âManifest Destinyâ and its impact on Americans; explain how the issue of slavery increased sectional tensions and reshaped the American political party system.
Analyze how and why the North won the Civil War.
Describe the goals of Reconstruction and evaluate how well they were met.

History 2: United States History Since Reconstruction.

This course will focus on a biographical study of the United States from the end of Reconstruction to the Age of Globalism. Students will examine the political, economic, social, and cultural experiences of the American nation and its people. Both sides of controversial historical issues will be presented in a balanced, objective manner. Students will be encouraged to develop and utilize critical and ethical thinking, and to arrive at their own evaluations of Americaâs triumphs and tragedies. Topics include Industrialization, Overseas Expansion, the Progressives, World War I and World War II, The Great Depression/New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the turbulent Sixties/confusing Seventies, The Age of Reagan, and the Age of Globalism.

History 3: American Jewish History.

This course will provide an overview of American Jewish History from 1654-2020. Students will examine the inaugural community and its origins in Western Europe, its integration into Colonial American life, subsequent immigrants and their part in US growth and expansion, the period of mass immigration by eastern European Jews, the interwar growth and establishment of Jewish institutions, the active role of the community in the establishment of the State of Israel, the US Civil Rights movement, and the movement for freedom of Jews in the Soviet Union. Finally, the course will examine significant trends in the American Jewish community from 1980-2020 and predictions for future growth.

History 4: Lost Women of Science.

This course will survey the topic âLost Women of Science.â Students will be introduced to women scientists and their significant contributions. Women have always been in science despite access to education in the 21st century. Research has revealed that women are eager to study science and math, but study show early in their schooling girls tend to give up their science. Today, our most talented women and minorities are encouraged to compete for work in many scientific professions globally. In this course, we will examine women work in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

History 5: Western Civilization I.

This course will focus on the history of western societies and peoples from the earliest formation of recorded western history to the Renaissance, including ancient Greece and Rome, the Dark Ages, and the Medieval period. The course will use primary and secondary materials to examine politics, economics, religion, and the cultural and intellectual history of the West, along with agricultural developments of ancient history and how they led to more advanced civilizations.

History 6: Western Civilization II.

This course will focus on western civilization from the Renaissance to the present. Through the use of primary and secondary materials, the course explores the political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural history of the West to examine the achievements of modern Western Civilization, and their impact throughout the world. Course topics include the Age of Exploration, the Reformation, Absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution and Napoleon, the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the European Union.

History 7: Eastern Thought.

This course will focus on a a comprehensive look at the Eastern traditions of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Shinto. Using a variety of both current and historical materials, the class promotes understanding of Eastern cultural perspectives, and notes differences with traditional Western ideals. Weekly discussions are based on thought provoking questions that promote intriguing and meaningful conversation.

History 8: Civil War Era

This course will focus on significant events, issues, and ideas during the pre-Civil War period (1848-1860), the years of warfare (1861-1865), and the Reconstruction period (1865-1877). Themes include slavery and the territories, the nature of modern warfare, ideological and economic conflict, the Lincoln legacy, the experience of bi-racial democracy during Reconstruction, and the influence and meaning of the Civil War/Reconstruction period for the 21st century. This course is an approved survey course in United States History for teacher certification in Connecticut.

History 9: American Foreign Policy Since WWII

This course will focus on an overview of American foreign policy from the end of World War II to the present. Emphasis will be placed on Americaâs five major wars during this period, its many military invasions and Central Intelligence Agency engineered or sponsored coups, American unilateralism, the Cold War and its aftermath, 9/11 and the challenges posed by Islamic fundamentalism, and the issues of globalization, neo-imperialism, and terrorism.

History 10: China's Cultural Revolution

This course will focus on Chinaâs Cultural Revolution. The revolution was a violent mass movement which drastically affected the lives of all who lived through it. Through eye witness accounts, government memos, political cartoons and other primary source documents, this course will focus on the major events that led to Mao Zedongâs revolution, and issues and events that dramatically impacted Chinese society beginning in the early 20th century through present day.

History 11: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

This course will focus on a detailed overview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Emphasis will be placed on events leading to the creation and expansion of Israel, the history of the Israeli government and policy, and the evolution of the Palestinian national independence movement including the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas.

History 12: History Capstone

This is the capstone course for the History concentration and should be taken in the student's last semester. The student can have no more than 6 credits remaining in their concentration to complete in their degree program prior to enrolling in this course. The goal of the course is for the student to integrate the knowledge gained in the History concentration. The course must be taken at Charter Oak State College.

Distance Learning

Charter Oak State College offers an external degree program and so, by definition, is a distance learning institution. Students earn their credits "externally" and transfer them into the College, or they can enroll in distance learning courses offered by Charter Oak. The College offers a selection of distance learning courses; however, students are not required to take Charter Oak courses to earn a degree from the College. Some of the courses use videotapes and texts and some are online courses. A catalog of offerings is available each semester.

Admission

Admission is open to any person 16 years or older, regardless of level of formal education, who is able to demonstrate college-level achievement. To be admitted, a student must have earned 9 college-level credits from acceptable sources of credit.

Tuition and Fees

All students pay a $50 application fee. Connecticut residents pay a first-year student services fee of $635 for an associate degree or $925 for a bachelor's degree. Nonresidents pay a first-year matriculation fee of $895 for an associate degree or $1190 for a bachelor's degree. Active-duty service members and their spouses pay in-state resident's rates for all Charter Oak fees and services. All students pay a graduation fee of $165. Tuition for video-based courses is $145 per credit for Connecticut residents and $205 per credit for nonresidents; tuition for online courses is $145 per credit for Connecticut residents and $205 per credit for nonresidents. There is a $24 registration fee for all students.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to Charter Oak students from several sources, including federal, state, and institutional grants and loans. All students who wish to apply for aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Charter Oak State College's Application for Financial Aid.

Workforce Development

Workforce development has been an integral part of the mission of Charter Oak State College since its inception in 1973. The College seeks to provide assistance to business and industry in advancing the educational credentials of their employees.

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