History and Mission

Founded in 1893 as the New Haven State Normal School, Southern became a four-year college with degree granting powers in 1937. Ten years later, Southern joined with Yale University's department of education to offer a graduate program leading to a master of arts degree. In 1954, with Southern changing and growing to meet the needs of its students, the State Board of Education authorized the institution — then known as the New Haven State Teachers College — to assume complete responsibility for its graduate program. As a result, Southern made its name during the 1950s and 1960s preparing teachers in virtually every major scholastic area.

In 1959, six years after the institution had moved to its present campus, state legislation expanded Southern's offerings to include liberal arts curricula leading to bachelor's degrees in the arts and sciences, as well as career-oriented degree programs in fields such as nursing, social work, business, and computer science. The expanded curricular offerings also resulted in the legislature changing the institution's name to Southern Connecticut State College.

Since then, Southern has continued its growth as a modern, diversified center of higher learning, expanding both its undergraduate and graduate programs and opening up entirely new fields of study and research. In March 1983, Southern became a university, completing its evolution. Today, the University houses five academic colleges and schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. In 2002, the University introduced the Doctor of Education degree program, and its first Ed.D. degree was conferred at the 2006 commencement. The University now offers over 100 graduate programs. With its strong and healthy identity intact and its fine traditions for support, Southern can look to a future as varied, dynamic, responsive, and responsible as its past.

In Fall 2022, SCSU enrolled 8889 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs. This includes a gender distribution of 64% female and 35% male. Our race/ethnicity breakdown includes 21% Hispanic/Latino, 17% Black or African American, 3% Asian, and 49% of student identifying as White. Four percent indicate either two or more races or race/ethnicity is unknown. Most students attend full time, whereas 30% attend part-time.

Each semester, enrollment and demographic data is updated on our website. You can find current and trend data as well as additional Consumer Information by visiting our Institutional Research site https://inside.southernct.edu/ir/consumer-information.

Southern Connecticut State University provides exemplary graduate and undergraduate education in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. As an intentionally diverse and comprehensive university, Southern is committed to academic excellence, access, social justice, and service for the public good.

Fulfilling the Mission

"Pursuing Excellence, Fostering Leadership, Empowering Communities".

As a student-centered institution, Southern regards student success as its highest priority. We seek to instill in all of our students the value of the liberal arts and sciences as a foundation for professional development and lifelong learning. Our students receive exemplary professional training and are inspired by the research, scholarship, and creative activity of our teacher-scholars.

Through tradition and innovation, Southern strives to empower every undergraduate and graduate student with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives essential for active participation and impassioned, ethical leadership in our rapidly changing global society. Within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), Southern leads the way in graduate education and produces the largest number of graduates.

Strategic Priorities

1. Enrollment, Retention, Persistence, and Degree Completion Success
2. Cultivating a Community of Scholars
3. Justice, Equity, and Excellence
4. Community Engagement