# Charter Oak State College

> public liberal arts college in New Britain, Connecticut

**Wikidata**: [Q32287](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q32287)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_Oak_State_College)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charter-oak-state-college

## Summary  
Charter Oak State College is a public liberal arts college located in New Britain, Connecticut, established in 1973 as part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. It specializes in non-traditional and online education, offering bachelor’s degree completion programs designed for working adults and transfer students.  

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: 1973.  
- **Type**: Public educational institution, liberal arts college.  
- **Parent Organization**: Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSUS).  
- **Students (2020)**: 1,634.  
- **Employees (2020)**: 328.  
- **Location**: 55 Paul Manafort Drive, New Britain, CT 06053, U.S.  
- **Coordinates**: 41.6881° N, 72.7687° W.  
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester-based.  
- **Carnegie Classifications**: Baccalaureate colleges: arts and sciences focus; exclusively undergraduate four-year; four-year, very small, primarily nonresidential; arts & sciences focus, no graduate coexistence; four-year, higher part-time.  
- **Website**: [www.charteroak.edu](http://www.charteroak.edu).  
- **Social Media**: Twitter (@CharterOak, 1,728 followers as of 2021), Facebook (@CharterOak), Instagram (@charteroakstatecollege).  
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID `145755304`, IPEDS ID `128780`, ROR ID `0226byw17`, GRID ID `grid.454569.f`.  
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: `no2002050185`.  
- **Crunchbase ID**: `charter-oak-state-college`.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Charter Oak State College founded?  
A: It was established in 1973 as a public institution focused on non-traditional education.  

### Q: What types of academic programs does it offer?  
A: The college provides bachelor’s degree completion programs, emphasizing liberal arts, online education, and prior learning assessment for working adults.  

### Q: How many students attend the college?  
A: As of 2020, it had 1,634 students, primarily part-time and non-traditional learners.  

### Q: What makes its academic model unique?  
A: It specializes in flexible, competency-based learning, allowing students to earn degrees through transfer credits, work experience, and online coursework.  

### Q: Is it part of a larger university system?  
A: Yes, it is a member of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSUS) system.  

## Why It Matters  
Charter Oak State College addresses the need for accessible higher education for non-traditional students, including working professionals and transfer learners. Its focus on prior learning assessment and online degree completion helps bridge educational gaps, supporting workforce development in Connecticut. As a public institution, it provides affordable pathways to bachelor’s degrees, contributing to the state’s economic growth and aligning with national trends in flexible, student-centered education.  

## Notable For  
- **Public Liberal Arts Focus**: Combines liberal arts education with career-oriented programs.  
- **Non-Traditional Education**: Pioneered competency-based degree completion for adult learners.  
- **Online and Hybrid Learning**: Offers fully online programs with flexible scheduling.  
- **Prior Learning Assessment**: Grants college credit for work experience, training, and certifications.  
- **Carnegie Classification**: Recognized for its arts and sciences focus and nonresidential, undergraduate model.  

## Body  
### History  
Charter Oak State College was founded in 1973 as a public institution under the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. Initially established to provide degree completion opportunities for adult learners, it evolved into a fully accredited liberal arts college, emphasizing non-traditional education models.  

### Academics  
The college offers bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts and sciences, with concentrations in business, education, and health professions. Its academic calendar operates on a semester system, and it is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Notable programs include prior learning assessment (PLA), which allows students to earn credits for life experiences, and online coursework tailored to working adults.  

### Administration and Structure  
As a member of the CSUS system, the college is governed by a board of regents and receives state funding. It operates independently under its charter, with a focus on accessibility and affordability. The institution maintains a small faculty-to-student ratio, supporting personalized instruction.  

### Student Demographics  
As of 2020, the college served 1,634 students, predominantly part-time learners. Its non-residential model attracts students from across Connecticut and neighboring states, with many balancing education with full-time employment or family commitments.  

### Campus and Location  
The college is headquartered at 55 Paul Manafort Drive in New Britain, Connecticut (postal code 06053). Its facilities support administrative operations, advising services, and limited in-person coursework, though the majority of programs are delivered online.  

### Digital Presence  
Charter Oak State College maintains an active online presence through its website and social media platforms, including Twitter (1,728 followers as of 2021), Facebook, and Instagram. Its digital infrastructure supports enrollment services, virtual advising, and course delivery.  

### Identifiers and Classifications  
The college is classified under multiple identifiers, including:  
- **Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) ID**: 128780.  
- **Research Organization Registry (ROR) ID**: 0226byw17.  
- **Global Research Identifiers Database (GRID) ID**: grid.454569.f.  
- **Carnegie Classifications**: Baccalaureate colleges: arts and sciences focus; exclusively undergraduate four-year; four-year, very small, primarily nonresidential.  

### Recognition and Memberships  
While the college is not affiliated with national academic consortia, its accreditation by NECHE and membership in the CSUS system underscores its credibility in Connecticut’s higher education landscape. It is recognized for its innovative approaches to adult education and workforce-aligned degree programs.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. ROR release v1.19
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](http://www.charteroak.edu)
7. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
8. GRID Release 2015-12-14
9. GRID Release 2016-12-06
10. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
11. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
12. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
13. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
14. National Center for Education Statistics