Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) History and Academics

History

Southern Connecticut State University was founded in 1893 with three instructors and 84 students. The institution became a four-year college granting bachelor’s degrees in 1937. Teaming with Yale University, SCSU began offering graduate degrees in 1947, and the offerings were again expanded in 1959. The school’s current name was adopted in 1983.

Southern Connecticut State University was founded as a teacher training school and received university status in 1983. It is accredited by the The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute. Southern Connecticut State’s catalog states that, “The aim of a liberal education is to prepare a person to live well as a free and responsible individual in a constantly changing society.”

Information Summary

Ranks 15th in Connecticut and 1062nd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	79.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$26,810
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	24 / 1130
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	72% / 58%
Enrollment Total (all students)	10,050

Academics

Southern Connecticut State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level and offers nearly 120 degrees. There are seven colleges: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Communication Information and Library Science, the School of Education, the School of Health and Human Services, the Honors College, and the School of Graduate Studies.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as anthropology, art, business administration, computer science, earth science, Italian, public health, sociology, education, theatre, economics, and chemistry. Many degrees have areas of concentration. Minors are offered in areas such as accounting, Judaic studies, linguistics, marine studies, nutrition, and real estate. There is a pre-engineering program for student who intend to transfer to an engineering school, and other pre-professional programs are offered including Army ROTC.

Graduate programs are offered in nearly 40 areas. These include master’s level programs in art education, computer science, counseling, environmental education, exercise science, information/library science, education, nursing, recreation and leisure studies and urban studies. An Ed.D is offered in educational leadership. There are also a number of certificate programs available.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

SCSU offers a major in Exercise Science that allows students to become health or education professionals. Three areas of specialization are athletic training, human performance, and teacher education. The program has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach. Other unique programs include Judaic Studies, Recreation & Leisure, and Women’s Studies.

Southern Connecticut State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to have a strong academic background and will be required to maintain a minimum GPA in order to remain in the program. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will take special Honors courses and finish a senior thesis or creative project. Most students also do some independent study and are encouraged to perform a community service internship.

The university is a member of Online CSU, which is the on-line program for all 4 Connecticut State University campuses. Students can take courses offered through SCSU or through one of the other campuses; there are several masters degree program available on-line. The college also offers part-time, evening and weekend classes in order to accommodate the needs of students that want to earn an education but cannot attend traditional programs.

Southern took a pioneer step toward environmental responsibility in 2007 by becoming a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and dedicated itself to having a zero carbon footprint by the year 2050 or sooner. The university believes in this concept wholeheartedly and is convinced that success can only come by integrating the concept of sustainability into both campus life and the education of every student.

Admissions

Undergraduate applicants must have completed sixteen units of secondary school and received a high school diploma. Required units include four years of English, three years of mathematics, two years of both natural sciences and social sciences (including U.S. history), and two years of a modern foreign language. High school guidance offices may be contacted for additional information on particular students. The number of accepted applicants is often limited, based on the availability of faculty, personnel, and facilities. The University will determine, based on applications submitted, who has the greatest potential for collegiate success. SCSU also offers a “Fresh Start” option for students who have experienced a slow start to their university career or who previously dropped out of the University. Participants may only enroll in the Fresh Start program once, and must meet stated eligibility and performance requirements in order to remain in the program.

Southern Connecticut State University has an undergraduate admissions deadline of May 1 for the fall term. Applications and fees can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office. Application packets that are incomplete will not be considered, so applicants need to be sure that all required credentials are submitted in time. These documents include official high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and at least one letter of recommendation, preferably from a high school counselor. Space is limited and preference will be given to students who exhibit the most potential to succeed at Southern.

Southern also offers a dual-enrollment program for local high school students that would like to get a jump start on their college careers. For more information regarding this program, interested students should refer to the university’s official website or contact the school. Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.

Students applying to the graduate programs at Southern Connecticut State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying because each program may have separate admissions requirements. Applications can be submitted online along with the application fee. General requirements include the GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT) and a bachelor’s degree with an acceptable GPA within the field of graduate interest. Students will also require a recommendation from the graduate school coodinator of the program to which they are applying. The graduate application deadline is a rolling deadline for the school, but individual departments may have earlier deadlines.

Financial Aid

SCSU offers a number of grant programs, including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, the Connecticut Aid to Public Schools program, and the Connecticut State University Grant. Federal Perkins and Stafford loans are also available, and SCSU provides unique financing opportunities such as the Federal Work Study Program, Americorps and Veterans Benefits awards and special programs for students enrolled in the ROTC program.

Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs that students who are from Connecticut. Students from states in the New England Regional Program will pay reduced out-of-state tuition.

Graduate students may be able to receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3617th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Connecticut.

Students

SCSU is located on a 170-acre campus in New Haven, Connecticut, offering an endless supply of beauty and scenery. There are over 9,000 undergraduates enrolled and students come from many different countries and states. The university offers undergraduate on-campus housing in the form of the town houses, apartments, and traditional dormitories. The campus includes personal counseling services, a Multicultural Center, and an on-campus Barnes & Noble store.

Student life at Southern Connecticut State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as the Baka Chans Anime Society, Folio (a literary magazine), men’s and women’s rugby teams, and the Student Arts League. There is also a weekly student newspaper, the Southern News.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The Southern Connecticut State University Owls have captured several NCAA team titles and numerous NCAA individual titles. The Owls compete in the Northeast 10 conference. Men’s and women’s teams include cross country, soccer, basketball, swimming, and track and field. Men may also choose to play football and baseball while women have the additional options of field hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse, softball and volleyball.

SCSU is home to Jess Dow Field for football and track, with a seating capacity of 6,000. Other facilities include James Moor Fieldhouse for indoor sports (seating capacity of 2,800), the Ballpark at SCSU, and the Hutchinson Natatorium.

Club sports are meant to bridge the gap between intercollegiate and intramural sports and are open to all Southern students. Some of the sports include rugby, skiing and snowboarding, lacrosse, ice hockey and the Steppin’ Up drill team. There are also several intramural sports available including flag football, softball, indoor soccer, 3 on 3 basketball, dodgeball and floor hockey. These lists are not all-inclusive; there are several more offered so that students that don’t want to dedicate the time necessary to intercollegiate sports may still enjoy interactive, competitive team play.

Traditions

SCSU is the alma mater of tens of thousands of alumni worldwide. The alumni association was founded in 1925 to keep track of and unite SCSU Owl alums as they continue the University’s history of success. The association sponsors Homecoming, career services, reunions, and other events on the SCSU campus.

Local Community

Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Nearby attractions include a number of museums, including a replica of the slave ship Amistad as well as theaters, concerts halls and clubs. It is also the home of Yale University and is approximately 80 miles from New York City and 135 miles from Boston.

New Haven began as a colony of five hundred English Puritans in 1638, making it one of the country’s oldest and most historic cities. Today the city offers attractions like a AA baseball team affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, a dozen live music bars and venues, the Boulevard Flea Market, New Haven Yacht Club, Pepe’s Pizza and Whitlock Farm Book Barn. With a population of fewer than 125,000, it’s easy to find some peace and quiet in this historic town.

Bibliography

Southern Connecticut State University. Southern Connecticut State University. 2011. Web. 23 June 2011.

Southern Connecticut: The Official Website of Southern Connecticut State University Athletics. Southern Connecticut State University Athletics. 2011. Web. 23 June 2011.

Southern Connecticut State University