The college was founded in 1973 by the Connecticut Legislature and offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

[2] It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and functions under the degree-granting authority of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

In 2012, the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education replaced the BSAA as Charter Oak State College's governing body.

[3] Charter Oak State College is a distance learning institution that mainly serves the adult population and allows different opportunities for credit to be earned compared to a traditional college.

[7] Charter Oak State College's adult students include the military, civilian federal and state employees, working adults pursuing first or second degrees, and students taking additional coursework in preparation for graduate school.