Help students improve their literacy skills

As a reading specialist, you can help students identify their reading difficulties and develop methods to overcome those struggles by providing remedial instructions. The Graduate Certificate in Reading Specialist prepares you to teach reading programs at various educational levels.

Graduate Certificate in Reading Specialist Curriculum 

The program is focused on the science of reading with an emphasis on facilitating learning for students who struggle with reading.

Quick Facts

• Innovative applied-based practices
• No student teaching required
• Approved provider for the federal TEACH Grant

Admission requirements and application process

Prepare to help meet the educational needs of students with disabilities

Carlow University’s Special Education program at the graduate level prepares teachers to meet the needs of children with a wide variety of mental, physical, social, emotional and behavioral disabilities in multiple settings. You will learn to adapt general education lessons to effectively teach students with mild and moderate disabilities.

Per requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students entering the Special Education graduate certificate program must be certified teachers in another content area.

Graduate Certificate in Special Education curriculum

The graduate Special Education program includes 23 credit hours of coursework focusing on the practical application of research-based special education theoretical constructs and methodology and 3 credits of student teaching. The program requires 12 credits that focus on research methodologies, analytical processes and critical issues. You must have 9 credits in special needs education as prerequisites to entering the Master of Education program with a concentration in special education. 

Quick Facts

• Emphasizes meeting needs of students with a wide range of disabilities and positive behavior support
• Latest special education technology
• Approved provider for the federal TEACH Grant

Admission requirements and application process

Earn your graduate certificate in forensic accounting online

You can pursue a new career or seek promotion in the field with a graduate certificate in fraud and forensics. The program combines case-based learning with top anti-fraud resources from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) to help prepare you to investigate, remediate and prevent fraud.

Forensic accounting certificate curriculum

You will learn key strategies to minimize fraud, build an understanding of required personal ethics and hone the skill of financial statement examination. Courses include lectures and videos from experts in the forensic accounting field.

Upon completion, you will be prepared to pursue ACFE certification. Credits earned in this certificate program can be used toward a master’s in fraud and forensics.

Quick Facts

• Learn through case-based learning
• Be prepared for ACFE certification

Admission requirements and application process

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

Empower patients as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate allows students who already have a Master’s of Science in Nursing to be certified as nurse practitioners for individuals and families. The post-master’s certificate will prepare you for advanced practice nursing in home health agencies, physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, family health centers, and clinics in both urban and rural communities.

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to be certified as family/individual nurse practitioners across the life span.

As a certified nurse practitioner, you’ll diagnose and treat acute, episodic or chronic illness, working with a physician and as part of a health care team. Nurse practitioners may order, perform or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and X-rays and may prescribe medication.

Post-Master’s Certificate for Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum

You will complete 36 course credits as well as 600 clinical hours, which may take place in a variety of urban and rural health care agencies in the Pittsburgh region.

Quick Facts

• Prepare for FNP certification
• Gain hands-on experience in our simulation lab, CSCIL
• Take classes in Oakland, Greensburg or Cranberry

View Plan of Study

Alternate certificate completion option

Online Certificate

Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.

Admission requirements and application process

An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success. No GRE or GMAT required. 

Advance your career as a women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP)

The Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate allows students who already have a Master’s of Science in Nursing to be certified as nurse practitioners for women’s health. The post-master’s nursing certificate will prepare you for advanced practice nursing in OB/GYN offices, hospital-based women’s clinics, inpatient prenatal and postpartum settings, and clinics in both urban and rural medically underserved communities.

Graduates are eligible to be certified as women’s health nurse practitioners across the life span.

Once certified, women’s health nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings where they provide preventive care such as well-woman exams, breast cancer screenings, Pap tests or contraceptive care. WHNPs may also provide adolescent health care, pregnancy testing, fertility evaluation, prenatal visits, after-pregnancy care and menopausal care.

Post-master’s nursing certificate curriculum

You will complete 35 course credits as well as 600 clinical hours, which may take place in a variety of urban and rural health care agencies in the Pittsburgh region.

Quick Facts

• Position yourself for an in-demand career
• Gain hands-on experience in our simulation lab (CSCIL)
• Take classes in Oakland, Greensburg or Cranberry
• Prepare for WHNP certification

View Plan of Study

Alternate certificate completion option

Online Certificate

Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.

Admission requirements and application process

An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success. No GRE or GMAT required.

Earn a certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Carlow’s drug and alcohol counseling certificate is a three-course sequence for new as well as veteran clinicians who want to enhance their knowledge and understanding of addictions. You’ll build the foundation for competency in drug and alcohol counseling through three online courses. You’ll earn required licensure Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or you can apply the credits to a graduate program.

Curriculum for drug and alcohol counseling certificate

The three certificate courses are Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling Theories and Interventions, and Co-occurring Disorders: Counseling Clients with Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders.

Quick Facts

• Learn at your own pace
• Apply earned credits toward a master’s or doctoral degree
• Gain required CEUs for licensure

Admission requirements and application process

Empower learners in a digital world: Online Teaching certificate

Carlow’s 100% online graduate certificate program in Online Teaching will give you the hands-on experience you’ll need to succeed, preparing you to design, develop and implement instructional tools, programs and materials. You’ll receive real-world training from e-learning experts.

Curriculum for graduate certificate in Online Teaching 

The competency-based education Online Teaching certificate program includes four online courses. Introduction to Instructional Design addresses the primary concepts and structures of effective online instruction. In the Online Teaching and Facilitation course, you’ll find the best way to structure an online learning experience that meets the needs of the learner. Assessment and Evaluation of Online Learning teaches an understanding of the design and implementation of appropriate assessment techniques for online learning. The capstone course focuses on effective approaches to implementation and change management.

Quick Facts

• Learn with an emphasis on structural design
• Earn endorsement in online teaching through the state Department of Education (for Pennsylvania licensed teachers)

Admission requirements and application process

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

Become a health care leader: Certificate in Healthcare Management

You can build the skills needed to become a dynamic leader responsible for overseeing management of small- and large-scale health organizations with a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management from Carlow University. You’ll build the exceptional, organizational, financial and communication skills necessary for success in this field.

You’ll learn the ins and outs of strategic planning, project and inventory management and patient administration and cultivate an understanding of management practices and professional standards, as well as finance and ethical leadership.

Upon completion of the Healthcare Management certificate program, you will be prepared to work for doctor’s offices and in hospital administration. Health care professionals who seek this degree are often looking to move up in hospital organizations.

Healthcare Management certificate curriculum

The Healthcare Project Management course covers concepts and strategies to facilitate effective project management, including project selection and initiation, identifying teams and time management. In Healthcare Innovation and Quality, you will learn about innovations in health promotion, disease prevention and patient safety; you will examine measurement systems, data collection and medical informatics usage. Fiscal Management focuses on managerial accounting, cost analysis and budgeting.

Quick facts

• Build an understanding of fiscal management in health care
• Give your health care career a competitive edge
• Apply earned credits toward an MBA degree

Admission requirements and application process

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

Prepare for your principal certification

Carlow’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification Prep will prepare you for the required licensure test in Pennsylvania. You’ll be prepared to become a school leader with the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to respond to educational challenges with an equity lens. 

Carlow’s collaboration with area schools will give you access to meaningful internship experiences alongside mentor principals.

Principal Certification curriculum

The curriculum includes specialized coursework in improvement science, systems thinking and building networked communities. Test-prep resources and seminars are aligned to the licensure exam. Principal certification in Pennsylvania requires a master’s degree. If you already have a master’s degree, completion of these 18 credits and the state licensure exam results in certification. The 18 credits may also be completed as part of the full master’s degree in educational leadership.  

Completion of courses results in graduate credits that can either be transferred into a full educational program or account for required licensure continuing education units.

Admission requirements and application process

Improve opportunities: Graduate certificate in Autism Teaching

Carlow’s graduate certificate in Autism Teaching is a four-course sequence that will train you in the competencies set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement. The program will teach you to design effective programs for students identified with an autism spectrum disorder. Parents, counselors and others can take these courses, but they are not eligible for the endorsement.

Graduate certificate in Autism Teaching curriculum

The evidence-based practices you’ll learn include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH, Early Start Denver Model, Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Verbal Behavioral Intervention (VBI), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Pivotal Response Training (PRT). You will have opportunities to conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and develop resulting Behavior Interventions. Assistive technologies including augmentative communication systems are covered as well.

Quick Facts

• Earn Pennsylvania Department of Education endorsement
• Enhance your skill in a high-demand field

Admission requirements and application process 

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials: