Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology: Assessment Psychology concentration

The Assessment Psychology concentration in Carlow’s MA in Psychology (MAP) program will teach you to use the techniques and tools of the field in an array of tasks in primary school and university settings, helping to develop hypotheses about personality, behavior and ability. With an assessment focus, you’ll be able to explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills that will help you find the right career or continue the path to a doctoral degree. 

Assessment Psychology curriculum

The Assessment Psychology concentration within the MAP program consists of three courses: Foundations of Neuropsychology, Clinical Assessment of Children, and Trauma Assessment and Intervention. You’ll explore psychological principles applied to educational assessment including learning and behavior theory, strategies for learning and remembering, and problem-solving.

Quick facts

• Delve into personality and behavior
• Be part of a helping field
• Build a foundation fit for doctoral studies

Alternate degree completion option

Accelerated

Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

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

Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology: Educational Psychology concentration

Specializing your MA in Psychology studies with the Educational Psychology concentration, you will learn to use psychology techniques and tools in a broad range of tasks within the primary school and university settings. You can explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills that can aid your pursuit of a doctoral degree or a career in child development and treatment.

Master’s in Educational Psychology curriculum 

The Educational Psychology concentration consists of three courses: Foundations of Educational Psychology, Systems of Educational Practice, and Thinking, Motivation and Creativity. 

Quick facts

• Prepare for a career in educational settings
• Build a foundation fit for doctoral studies

Alternate degree completion options

Accelerated

Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process 

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

Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology: Exploration Psychology concentration

The Exploration Psychology concentration within Carlow’s Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program allows you to take a wider breadth of courses across multiple concentrations and programs. You can define a course of study to fit your unique interests.

You’ll have opportunities to explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills to help in your job search, as well as prepare you for future doctoral studies in psychology. 

Exploration psychology curriculum

The Exploration Psychology concentration consists of one foundational course (Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology or Educational Psychology) and two elective courses of your choice. The electives can be taken through the psychology, professional counseling, education or social work graduate programs. 

Quick facts

• Design your own curriculum concentration
• Earn your master’s in 4 semesters
• Build a foundation fit for doctoral studies

Alternate degree completion options

Accelerated

Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

We invest in you

Shannon White ’19, who started at Carlow as an adult student, was impressed with the investment that faculty made in her. “I just had very good faculty interactions in the counseling psychology department. They were very personable and willing to help me. They invested in me. We received a good education in social justice which was really important and has made all the difference in the world in the kind of professional I am. Carlow always addresses culture and not everyone does that.”

Admission requirements and application process 

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

Be prepared for your doctorate or work in the field

Carlow made it simple for Mickenna Ansell ’22 to tailor her education to future goals while she was working full-time. “The faculty and staff were very easy to connect with and I was able to get professional experience in research and clinical practice with their help. My time at the University prepared me to take doctoral-level classes and work in the field of psychology.”

Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology: Forensic Psychology concentration

The Forensic Psychology concentration of Carlow’s Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program will help you learn to use the tools of psychology in a wide variety of criminal and civil legal applications. You’ll develop advanced research and clinical skills that can help in the job hunt as well as prepare you for future doctoral studies in psychology. 

Master’s in Forensic Psychology curriculum

The Forensic Psychology degree curriculum focuses on developing research skills through the MAP core subjects and a three-course concentration. Courses include Foundations of Forensic Psychology, Systems of the Criminal Justice System and Psychology of Deviance. 

Quick facts

• Build a foundation fit for doctoral studies
• Earn your master’s in 4 semesters
• Make a difference in the criminal justice system

Alternate degree option

Accelerated

Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Make the change.

When a local golf course closed, Emily Golling took the lead in preserving the abandoned land as greenspace for others to enjoy. Her Carlow-instilled initiative took leadership by surprise. “I had no idea about her passion until we were conversing over a planned activity,” said Erin Boyles, assistant dean of students. “I should have known, though, because when she wants or feels something is needed, her passion is front row.”

▸ Read Emily’s story

Admission requirements and application process

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

Learn from professionals

What stuck out most for Rachel Seamans ’21 about Carlow’s Master’s of Psychology program was the engaged faculty. “They took an interest in us and made sure we succeeded as both students and people. We weren’t just numbers to them. And, we were learning from professionals who were still practicing, not years removed from working in the field.”

The Master of Arts in Art: Ceramics concentration

You can develop your technical and aesthetic abilities in ceramics while adapting your learning experience to suit your research interest with a master’s in Ceramics. The master’s in Art program is geared toward graduate-level students interested in expanding their portfolio in an academic setting and practicing K-12 teachers. Small class sizes provide for one-on-one relationships with faculty and cohort members. The program emphasizes the pursuit of creativity while also fine-tuning career preparedness.

Master’s in ceramics curriculum 

You will use current and historical theory research to develop a thesis, and combine it with studio practice to develop your MA exhibition for critique by faculty. Advanced studio work in Carlow’s 3D studio space focuses on high-impact practice.

Quick facts

• Increase your studio practice in a structured environment 
• Further your education with advanced studio projects
• Enjoy specialized attention in small classes
• Gain gallery experience in Carlow’s on-campus art gallery

Alternate degree completion option

Accelerated

Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

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

An undergraduate 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.

The Master of Arts in Art: Painting and Drawing concentration

In this program, you will build on what you mastered in your undergraduate degree program, refining your technical and aesthetic abilities through guided independent study. The Master’s in Painting and Drawing is geared toward students looking to expand their portfolio at the graduate level, and to further their studio practice in an academic environment. Small class sizes provide for one-on-one relationships with faculty and cohort members.

You can tap into Pittsburgh’s thriving arts scene to facilitate your professional growth and enjoy course visits with industry professionals such as curators, art dealers and artists. 

Master’s in Painting and Drawing curriculum 

The curriculum includes six consecutive studio-based seminar courses, an elective in a different medium such as clay or digital art, an art history or contemporary art research study tailored to your studio art practice, and a thesis and graduate exhibition. In optional 1-credit courses, you can learn about professional practice for creative freelancers and develop a project around a field trip to New York City. Full-semester and accelerated options are available. 

The graduate program focuses heavily on concept, and you will be encouraged to experiment with multimedia processes and collaborate with peers.

Quick facts

• Tailor your learning experience to your academic and professional interests with one-on-one guidance
• Take evening classes for schedule flexibility
• Connect with faculty and cohort members with small class sizes
• Gain gallery experience in Carlow’s on-campus art gallery

Alternate degree completion options

Accelerated

Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

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

An undergraduate 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.