Build potential and access to full participation with an MS in Occupational Therapy

Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, and service, Carlow’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) will help you develop deep roots in humanistic theory, emphasizing a balance of physical, emotional, and social health and wellness. Our OT program is intentionally integrated with interprofessional experiences and faculty that help prepare you for your future as an occupational therapist.

▸ View or download our program’s mission and outcomes [pdf]

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being.

Master’s in occupational therapy curriculum

Throughout the curriculum, we have integrated interprofessional experiences into course-based learning activities and community-based experiences. Shared spaces and faculty create daily interprofessional interactions, while critical thinking and ethics courses provide interprofessional discussion and reflection. You will participate in fieldwork experiences (Level I & II) that allow you to bridge your knowledge between classroom and practice using an occupational justice-informed approach.

• Level I fieldwork (3 required): discover and develop your professional identity, apply your classroom knowledge to your experiences, and complete experience on campus and in the surrounding Pittsburgh, Pa community
• Level II fieldwork (2, 12-week required): apply clinical skills in a variety of supervised practice settings, complete experience in traditional or innovative practice settings, and focus on environment and community concepts, and interprofessional and evidence-based practice

The OT curriculum is taught through a whole-health perspective that works to develop your whole person for innovative practice in healthcare, dedicated to optimizing health and well-being as a path to occupational justice.

Quick facts

• Learn interprofessionally
• Become a powerful citizen of justice in society and healthcare
• Be eligible to sit for the OT national certification exam

▸ Read about the Carlow difference [pdf]

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Occupational Therapy program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD  20814-3449, phone: +1 (301) 652-AOTA, website: www.acoteonline.org

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is in the process to attain full-accreditation status with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Information regarding the program accreditation process and Carlow University’s current status can be obtained by contacting ACOTE c/o AOTA at +1 (301) 652-AOTA or online at www.acoteonline.org. ACOTE is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

▸ View or download our accreditation timeline [pdf]

Admission requirements and application process

Apply now for admission in Fall 2022!

*In order to best accommodate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the OT department will accept any service, volunteer, and/or observation experiences as fulfilling the required 20 observation hours. We understand traditional clinical sites are still not completely open to students, however, there are many social justice organizations that still need our help. Consider volunteering at a local agency that serves the needs of our citizens. If you have any questions, please contact us directly.

Program Director Erin Phillips

“I invite you to discover the new Occupational Therapy program at Carlow University! We would love to have you join us as a part of your graduate educational journey toward a career in OT. Through the lens of Catholic social teachings, guided by the Sisters of Mercy, we will discover what it means to work for and thrive in a “just and merciful world.” As part of the OT program, it is our desire to help you transform into a person-centered health care provider and socially conscious citizen. Today, as you investigate this career, you take the first step toward a lifetime of meaningful work.”

– Erin Phillips, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, DipACLM, Associate Professor & Founding Program Director for Occupational Therapy

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Prepare to work in cardiac surgery with a MS in Cardiovascular Perfusion

Carlow’s MS in Cardiovascular Perfusion will equip you to pursue a career in a much-needed medical specialty. The rigorous science curriculum will give you a thorough education on the cardiovascular system, perfusion, hematology, surgery, pulmonary anatomy,  pathology and more.

You will learn to prepare the cardiopulmonary bypass and auxiliary equipment used during surgery, as well as the principles and practices of clinical perfusion management.

You will learn the skills needed to oversee the function of the heart and/or lungs during medical procedures and how to administer heart-stopping drugs, monitor the physiological and metabolic demands of patients, and operate equipment during open-heart surgery.

MS in Cardiovascular Perfusion curriculum

The MS in Cardiovascular Perfusion program is offered in cooperation with the UPMC School of Cardiovascular Perfusion. 

Courses cover biological, chemical and physical topics pertaining to the cardiovascular system and include Introduction to Cardiovascular Surgery, Electrophysiology, and Perfusion Procedures — Clinical II/Clinical II Continued.

Quick facts

• Complete 18 months of clinical training at UPMC School of Cardiovascular Perfusion
• Study in one of the oldest cardiovascular perfusion programs in the United States
• Sit for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) upon graduation

Admission requirements and application process

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

An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher is required, as is a 3.5 GPA in the sciences (no exceptions). 

Students must have the following prerequisites completed in order to be considered for the program:

• General Biology I and II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Calculus and Medical Ethics

Learn fraud prevention, fully online: MS in Fraud and Forensics

Acquire in-demand, up-to-date skills in Carlow University’s IACBE-accredited online Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics. One of the first of its kind in the nation, the program is consistently ranked as one of the top forensic accounting programs.

Accreditation

The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics at Carlow University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.

For a list of accredited programs and retention information, see Accreditations.

Earn your master’s in addiction counseling

The CACREP-accredited master’s in addiction counseling will train you to work with adults and adolescents experiencing one or more addictions (alcohol, prescription drugs or illicit drugs) in a variety of community settings, including addiction/recovery centers, community mental health centers, hospitals and employee assistance programs. You’ll be able to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, including addiction, using a variety of interventions and methods. 

You will be eligible to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and get the 180 hours of required addiction-specific coursework to become certified as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). 

On this path to a career helping others, you’ll learn about addiction theories, biological factors and co-occurring disorders.

Addictions Counseling degree curriculum

You must take a three-course sequence for the Addictions Counseling track in addition to the LPC degree core courses. The courses cover counseling theories, the biological basis for addiction, and counseling clients who have substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.

Quick Facts

• Accumulate 180 hours of addiction-specific coursework needed for Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certification
• Complete a graduate assistantship if desired

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

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.

Once your application is received, the program director will schedule an interview with you.

A program with relevant specializations

Chelsie Crate ’23 chose Carlow for graduate school because she could specialize in substance abuse in the Professional Counseling program, something she hadn’t seen at other institutions. “Carlow received its CACREP accreditation shortly before I began the program, which is a major plus in the counseling realm. Perhaps the most influential factor in my decision was the passion and dedication portrayed by the faculty.”

Develop skills to help people: Master’s in mental health counseling

The CACREP-accredited master’s in mental health counseling program will train you to work with children, adults and families in diverse settings such as schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and mental health agencies. You will tailor your degree by choosing a clinical concentration such as child and adolescent, trauma-informed or forensic counseling.

Mental health counseling degree curriculum 

The child and adolescent concentration for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree includes three courses that address specific interventions, assessment and play therapy. If you choose to concentrate on those who have suffered chronic and/or acute trauma in their lives, you’ll receive training in crisis management, trauma assessment and interventions. You can choose the forensic concentration if you want to work in legal or correctional settings, studying the interaction of mental health with the justice system, the roles of practitioners in the legal system and the unique concerns of this population. 

Quick facts

• Choose your own counseling concentration
• Meet educational requirements for Pennsylvania licensure in professional counseling
• Complete a graduate assistantship if desired

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

The graduate program admissions process happens on a rolling basis. 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.

Once your application is received, the program director will schedule an interview with you.

Committed to diversity and inclusion

Neal Holmes ’18 said his time at Carlow was a great academic experience that transformed his work and how he sees the world as a human being. “I felt welcomed by the staff and students, and I could feel that there was a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion work in the graduate counseling program. I appreciate the university’s commitment to social justice which is so parallel to my work in the counseling field today.”

Become a versatile, in-demand professional: MS in Physician Assistant

Carlow University offers a new and innovative cohort-based physician assistant program. The program is designed for adult learners seeking a holistic and supportive academic environment that provides transformational, clinical educational opportunities that stretch beyond the Pittsburgh region. It consists of a three-phase curriculum, grounded in Carlow’s mercy values, taught in a multidisciplinary environment alongside other healthcare professionals. This environment equips students with integral skills including ethical leadership, compassionate care and interprofessional collaborative competencies.

Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) and pursue a versatile and in-demand career as a physician assistant.

Admission requirements and application process

Physician Assistant academic curriculum

Students progress through the physician assistant curriculum as members of a cohort in three phases: didactic, clinical experience and transition to practice. Interprofessional collaboration, a founding concept of the physician assistant profession, is at the core of each phase; providing students the opportunity to learn collectively with multiple healthcare disciplines. This collaborative education experience encourages meaningful alliances and ultimately prepares students to practice high-quality clinical care as a member of a healthcare team. 

Learn in our simulated hospital environment

The Celtic Simulation Center for Innovative Learning (CSCIL) is a simulated hospital environment designed for student experiential learning. Primarily during the didactic phase, physician assistant students, alongside other healthcare disciplines, experience predetermined scenarios to practice clinical decision-making, diagnosis, procedures, and patient communication and interaction in a safe and realistic environment.

Quick facts

• Phase 1: Didactic: An intense period of instruction meant to impart clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes in preparation for clinical practice
• Phase 2: Clinical experience: An experiential phase of education whose purpose is to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for patient care in a supervised environment, includes:
  • 8 clinical rotations in areas including family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral medicine, women’s health, pediatrics and elective of choice
  • 5 weeks, full-time (average of 40 hours per week)
  • Sites are practices and healthcare systems located in southwestern Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, as well as across the country
• Phase 3: Transition to practice: The final period of the formal education program intended to prepare graduates for successful entrance into the profession and clinical practice

Accreditation

Carlow University has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Carlow University Physician Assistant Program anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2022, pending achieving Accreditation – Provisional status at the March 2022 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation – Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. The program will not commence in the event that provisional accreditation is not received.

Students who graduate from a program with provisional accreditation or continuing accreditation status are eligible for certification and licensure after successfully passing the PANCE. All programs, regardless of accreditation status, pose a potential risk of losing accreditation. All programs, including provisional accreditation programs, must go through a rigorous process to keep and maintain their accreditation status. Accreditation remains in effect until a program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the ARC-PA Standards. If a program loses its status while students are enrolled, they are unable to take the PANCE and are no longer eligible for certification upon graduation.

Program Director Mark Freeman

“As you explore potential career opportunities, I encourage you to consider a career as a physician assistant. The PA profession offers a variety of experiences in the field of medicine, working in various medical and surgical specialties in service to patients, their families and communities. The Carlow University PA Program offers a perfect environment in which to begin your journey to ultimately reach your career goal. Our PA Program is uniquely designed as a learner-centered, supportive academic environment, providing a transformational educational program for a diverse and determined community of adult learners. Put your passion for creating a better world into action today by becoming a physician assistant.”

– Mark Freeman, MBA, MEd, PA-C, Founding Program Director

Program information, outcomes & policies

View or download the following files:

Required program policies for applicants:

View or download the following policies:

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Speech-Language Pathology, Master of Science

Carlow’s unique interprofessional curricular design will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to enter into professional practice as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist working in any clinical environment.

What makes Carlow’s program different?

Carlow’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is committed to interprofessional collaborative education and was inspired by the view that effective team collaborations improve the quality of clinical service delivery. 

Students will train to prevent, assess, and treat communication and swallowing disorders within a learning environment comprised of faculty, clinical educators, and students from several different professions including:

Students will learn the value of interprofessional collaborative practice in leading high-quality, evidence-based, person-centered care across a variety of communication and swallowing disorders.

How will I gain clinical skills?

Carlow’s program is different from other graduate programs in speech-language pathology because of its focus on the development of clinical skills. Beginning in your first semester, each of your core courses will be accompanied by a dedicated skills laboratory to ensure you are able to translate theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom into hands-on practical clinical skills under the mentorship of program faculty. In addition, you will advance your clinical skills through a variety of learning platforms including: 

• Safe and supportive lifelike simulated case scenarios
• Access to both on-campus clinic and school based settings
• Local and out of state outpatient, healthcare, and school based externship settings

Students will use various labs and campus facilities including:

• Celtic Simulation Center for Innovative Learning (CSCIL)
• On-campus SLP Clinic
• Campus Laboratory School
• Early learning Center
• Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory

View Plan of Study

What is the Carlow experience?

Carlow places high value on a teaching-learning climate of compassion, mutual respect, professionalism, and ethical accountability as these elements are fundamental to cultivating a higher level of professional practice. The program is dedicated to providing transformational educational experiences through innovation, close faculty mentorship, diverse learning experiences, and interprofessional collaborations. 

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at Carlow University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, +1 (800) 498-2071 or +1 (301) 296-5700. Candidacy is a “pre accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

mission, vision & Goals

Student Outcome data

Admission requirements and application process

As of July 15, 2021, Carlow University is accepting applications for review for Fall 2022 matriculation. All applications should be submitted on or before February 1, 2022 through CSDCAS, a centralized application service endorsed by the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Science and Disorders (CAPCSD). No additional application materials should be sent to the program

Speech Language Pathology student chose Carlow for unique program

Speech-Language Pathology graduate student Camree Nelson ’23 said she chose Carlow because of its unparalleled approach to SLP. “The program is focused on fostering interprofessional skills and providing hands-on learning experiences, both of which are not emphasized at other universities. So far, the SLP program at Carlow has only validated my passion for the field and excited my goals of helping people who have difficulties communicating.”

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