Central Connecticut State University (Central) is a publicly funded university located in New Britain, Connecticut. First established in 1849, it is the oldest institution of its kind in the state and is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system (CSCU). It ranks 23rd in top public schools in the USA (US News & World Report, 2024)
Central offers 75 graduate programs and over 100 undergraduate majors across more than 80 fields of study. The university fosters a culture of innovation and has a pioneering approach towards research. Students benefit from a dynamic and welcoming learning environment, with the campus featuring modern buildings within a beautifully landscaped site, as well as plenty of open green spaces and wide tree-lined walkways.
Students enjoy free resources to enhance the study experience, including a tutoring center, writing center, wellness center, and the university’s international student and scholar services teams. This focus on health and wellbeing as well as academics enables students to reach their potential and become the best versions of themselves.
Central celebrates the impact of inclusivity on the strength of its own community, and its student body includes individuals from over 40 countries worldwide. It is proud to develop its undergraduates into thoughtful and responsible leaders who go on to cultivate a vibrant and progressive global community.
The campus is a short 15-minute journey from Connecticut’s state capital, Hartford, and the local area has many attractions and activities to discover. Students can pass their free time at attractions including state parks, world class museums, theatres, malls and even a planetarium. Slightly further afield, New York and Boston are within a 2-hour journey of campus.
Central Connecticut State University is committed to providing support to ensure the financial stability of all enrolled students, and awards more than USD 3 million each year in scholarships to new and returning students on both merit and need based criteria. International students are eligible for a number of scholarships.
Most scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, campus engagement, and community service. There are also many grants available based on other criteria.
Central is fortunate to receive contributions from its network of alumni and generous donors and has a very long list of endowed scholarships awarded for a variety of eligibility conditions. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to check for eligibility online.
The university financial aid team is also available year-round to help students find and apply for external funding opportunities. These may be offered through professional or commercial sponsors, or through state or government educational programs.
Central Connecticut State University has nine halls of residence. Each is only a short walk from academic buildings, recreational spaces, and campus dining options. All residence halls include WiFi, TV, a community kitchen, study lounges and a game area.
The Elihu Burritt Library is a state-of-the-art facility, containing over 750,000 books, more than 3,000 periodicals, and at least 550,000 digital resources and archives, which are available to all students. The building is open to accommodate any student’s schedule, offering a place to study whether it is early in the morning or later at night.
Central’s Student Center is designed for students to relax, study with friends, or participate in events. The Student Center is home to the Student Government, Women’s Center, and Student Activities/Leadership Development Office (SA/LD), as well as many other campus offices. It also contains spaces for meeting, dining, and activities.
In 2024, Central developed its state-of-the-art College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. It is home to a range of health science departments, including nursing, physical education and human performance, alongside human services disciplines including counselling and social work.
At the college, students benefit from a unique interdisciplinary and inter-professional education that prepares them for the modern workforce. As a result, students graduate with the core skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to excel in their careers across the health and human service industries.
Central Connecticut State University is an institution which believes that access to education should be available to students from all backgrounds.
The university has a number of admission requirements for undergraduate students which applicants must fulfil in order to be accepted onto a course of study, in addition to any course-specific entry criteria. These are submitted to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions and the required documents include:
Graduate admission requirements vary between courses, but include:
Central Connecticut State University provides an active and diverse learning experience and employs a variety of teaching methods to keep course content dynamic and challenging. Students benefit from studying in classes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, ensuring that each student receives an extremely personalized approach to learning.
Central provides a unique interdisciplinary approach across its expansive range of undergraduate and graduate study programs. There is a focus on research, as well as traditional coursework, and many courses are offered in flexible part-time, hybrid, or online formats.
There are around 409 full-time staff members in the central teaching faculty. Every member of teaching staff is highly qualified, with 93 percent of faculty holding a PhD in their subject area. Faculty and staff are well-travelled and many have worked and taught abroad, bringing a wealth of insights and experiences into their teaching methods at the university.
Central has cultivated strong connections across a number of significant industrial sectors, and designs many of its courses in collaboration with leading professional organizations. Programs are tailored to include hands-on practical experience and work-integrated learning, including opportunities for internships, study abroad programs and internationally focused learning.
The department structure at Central Connecticut State University consists of five undergraduate academic schools, which each deliver an exciting selection of degree programs spanning a wide range of subject areas.
Ammon College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Courses provide a broad liberal education, with strong vocational elements. Students can choose to study a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, each of which prepares graduates for a range of careers, including criminology, psychology, and economics.
School of Business
Business Edge is an organization open to students studying business degrees where they can network through hearing from guest speakers and attending field trips.
A rigorous and comprehensive education is provided to students looking to pursue a career in business, or related fields such as accounting or finance. Students learn real-world skills in the classroom that they will be able to apply in the modern workforce.
School of Education
Students are prepared to excel in service and leadership roles within the community, developing a comprehensive and versatile skills base and going on to succeed in teaching at elementary level (6th grade), secondary level (grades 4-12), in special education (grades PK-12), or by teaching elective classes like art education, music education, physical education, and technology education (grade PK-12).
School of Engineering, Science & Technology
Spanning a broad range of engineering, technological and scientific fields, students quickly become well-equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical skillsets needed to take on challenging roles in current and emerging technical industries, including commercial, research and management positions.
The College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Students learn to work with different groups across the health sector. Nursing, human performance, and exercise science students all gain hands-on experience working with patients and clients prior to graduation. Students of human service disciplines, such as counseling and social work, are prepared to work with families, individuals, and groups.
New Britain, Connecticut, USA
