Charter Oak State College is a 4-year public liberal arts college in the Connecticut State system of higher education. The college is located in New Britain, Connecticut, across the street from Central Connecticut State University's Mildred Barrows Hall, and is named for Connecticut's famous Charter Oak. The college was founded in 1973 by the Connecticut Legislature to provide an alternative way for working students to earn associate and baccalaureate degrees. The College is approved by the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education and regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and functions under the degree-granting authority of Connecticut's Board for State Academic Awards. The college operates on a model similar to Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey, and Excelsior College in New York state providing online degree completion programs. Charter Oak has awarded 10,505 degrees since its founding in 1973. The Board for State Academic Awards, established in 1973, grants degrees through Charter Oak State College.