Connecticut's public online college serving working adults with flexible, affordable degree programs.
Charter Oak State College awards associate degrees in arts and science, bachelor's degrees in arts and science with multiple majors and general studies concentrations, and master's degrees in science (offered since 2015). The college specializes in career-focused programs across business, education, healthcare, human services, and technology. Students can earn credit through traditional coursework, prior learning assessment, testing/exams, training credentials, and portfolio evaluation. The college serves primarily adult learners, including military personnel, federal and state employees, and working professionals seeking first or second degrees.
As a distance learning institution, Charter Oak offers six start dates per year to accommodate busy schedules. The college emphasizes flexible, accelerated online courses and allows multiple pathways to earn credit, including credit for prior learning (CPL), professional credentials, and training. This model is designed specifically for the adult population and working professionals who cannot attend traditional on-campus programs.
As of Fall 2023, the undergraduate population is 49% White, 22% Hispanic, 21% Black, 3% Asian, and 2% two or more races. Economically, 39% of students are low-income (Pell grant recipients) and 61% are affluent. Students range in age from 17 to 72, with 69% being Connecticut residents. The college actively serves military members, civilian federal and state employees, and adults pursuing additional coursework for graduate school preparation.
Charter Oak is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and licensed by the State of Connecticut. The college functions under the degree-granting authority of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, which replaced the Board for State Academic Awards (BSAA) in 2012. The college also holds program-specific accreditations in select academic areas.