Graduate Catalog 2010-12

THE UNIVERSITY

Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) is a regional, comprehensive, public university dedicated to learning in the liberal arts and sciences and to education for the professions. CCSU offers Connecticut citizens access to academic programs of high quality. The University is also a responsive and creative intellectual resource for the people and institutions of our state's capitol region. CCSU's many international programs and contacts also uniquely position the University to provide students and businesses with opportunities to grow and prosper in the emerging global community.

Connecticut's oldest publicly supported institution of higher education was founded in 1849 as the New Britain Normal School, a teacher training facility. The school was moved to the present campus in 1922. It became Teachers College of Connecticut in 1933 when it began offering four-year baccalaureate degrees. After extensive growth and expansion, including the ability to grant degrees in the liberal arts, the school evolved into Central Connecticut State College in 1959. The present name and status-Central Connecticut State University-were conferred in 1983 to recognize the institution's change in commitment, mission, strategy, and aspiration. Now the University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The largest of four comprehensive universities within the Connecticut State University System, CCSU enrolls over 9,700 undergraduate and nearly 2,500 graduate students. The School of Graduate Studies at CCSU offers graduate degree programs through the master's degree and sixth-year certificate levels, in addition to a doctoral degree program (Ed.D.) in educational leadership. The University has a full-time faculty of 432 members.

CCSU continues to grow, adding facilities and resources that place it among the finest state educational institutions in Connecticut. A growing network of overseas study opportunities, educational initiatives, and exchange programs have helped CCSU become an internationally oriented public university.

University Mission

Mission

Central Connecticut State University is a community of learners dedicated to teaching and scholarship that emphasizes development and application of knowledge and ideas through research and outreach activities, and prepares students to be thoughtful, responsible and successful citizens. As a comprehensive public university, we provide broad access to quality degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels.

Elements of Distinctiveness

CCSU identifies the following as distinctive elements within the Connecticut State University system of four constituent universities:

International Education
Workforce and State Economic Development
Community Engagement
Interdisciplinary Studies and Cross-Curricular Initiatives

Vision

Central Connecticut State University aspires to be recognized for:

graduating broadly educated, culturally and globally aware students who will contribute
meaningfully to their communities as engaged professionals and citizens;
contributing to knowledge through scholarship; and
fostering societal improvements through responsive and innovative programs.

Faculty Senate Bill 08.09.017B
Approved by President Miller 03.16.09
CSUS Board Resolution BR# 10-43 07.21.10

Affirmative Action Policy

Central Connecticut State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action for all persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, mental retardation, genetic information, sexual orientation, physical disability, learning disability, past or present history of a mental disability, or criminal record. This policy is applicable to all employment practices, admission of students, and programs and services to students, faculty, staff and the community.

The University's affirmative action policy seeks to include persons of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities in its educational programs and in all job groups of its work force. Further information is available from the Office of Diversity and Equity, located in Davidson Hall 102 (860-832-1653) and from its website at www.ccsu.edu/AffAction/default.html.

Governance

CCSU is governed by the Connecticut State University Board of Trustees, which oversees the four Connecticut state universities (Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western) and guides them in effectively serving the public. The board has 18 members, 14 of whom are appointed to six-year terms by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. Four members are student trustees who are elected by their fellow students.

To obtain a copy of the University's audited financial statements, contact the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Connecticut State University System, 39 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105.

Accreditation and Memberships

The University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Connecticut Department of Higher Education, and the Connecticut Department of Education (for programs leading to certification in education). All programs leading to education certification are nationally accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, several educator preparation programs are nationally recognized by their NCATE constituent organizations, including the educational leadership administration programs by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), the early childhood program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the elementary education program by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), the English education programs by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the history and social studies education programs by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the mathematics education program by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the modern language education programs by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the physical education programs by the American Alliance for Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance/National Association for Sport and Physical Education (AAHPERD-NASPE), the reading programs by the International Reading Association (IRA), the science education programs by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the special education program by the Council for Exceptional Children, the technology and engineering education (K-12) program by the International Technology and Engineering Educators’ Association/Council on Technology Teachers Education (ITEA/CTTE), and the TESOL program by the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Programs in chemistry are accredited by the American Chemical Society. The honors track in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Programs in music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs has accredited the master's degree in biological sciences: anesthesia. The three majors in engineering technology (ET) – civil ET, manufacturing ET, and mechanical ET – are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC of ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202; 401-347-7700. The electronics technology major and the industrial technology major with all seven specializations are accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). The construction management major is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The marriage and family therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The professional and rehabilitation counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), and the exercise science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The baccalaureate social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The University is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the College Board, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Council of Graduate Schools, the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and many other professional organizations related to the activities of individual departments at Central Connecticut State University.