Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) has officially joined an elite group of research-driven universities nationwide, earning a 2025 Carnegie R2 Classification for high research spending and doctorate production. As Connecticut’s first and only R2 public university, this designation affirms Southern’s commitment to faculty excellence, student success, and impactful research.
Southern is the state’s first and only R2-designated university and one of only 139 in the country. The Carnegie Classifications serve as the nation’s leading framework for categorizing research activity at colleges and universities in the United States, and serve as a critical benchmarking tool for policymakers, funders, and researchers.
SCSU’s research is making a difference—from advancing autism research to improving coastal ecosystems and pioneering assistive technologies. Our federally funded projects are supported by agencies like the National Science Foundation, NIH, and the Department of Education, reinforcing our leadership in high-impact research.
At SCSU, research starts early. Undergraduate and graduate students collaborate with renowned faculty experts on groundbreaking projects in STEM, health sciences, education, and the humanities. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures students gain real-world, research-based learning experiences that set them apart in today’s job market.
Located in New Haven’s thriving biotech and bioscience corridor, Southern connects students with specialized co-ops, internships, and research partnerships that fuel career readiness. With a growing doctoral program portfolio, including Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Business Administration, and Educational Leadership, Southern prepares graduates for the workforce of tomorrow.
As a teaching-focused research university, SCSU remains committed to access, diversity, and student-centered education. We proudly serve first-generation college students, transfers, veterans, and non-traditional learners, ensuring that cutting-edge research opportunities are accessible to all.
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) has been recognized as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the 2024 - 2025 academic year by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Among 46 institutions honored nationwide, SCSU is one of only five new additions to the top-producing list this year.
SCSU is the second-highest producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in Connecticut.
Four faculty members and administrators have been awarded Fulbright placements for 2024 - 2025.
