Carlow University’s Master of Education Internship (Experience-Based) programs prepare the next generation of educators to lead with skill, compassion, and purpose. Rooted in Carlow’s Mercy tradition, these programs allow aspiring teachers to begin serving their communities immediately while completing the coursework required for certification.

Through this innovative pathway, candidates work as the teacher of record in a P–12 classroom while earning their graduate degree. By placing theory into practice from day one, Carlow students gain meaningful experience, develop confidence in the classroom, and graduate ready to make a lasting impact in schools and communities.

Quick facts

• Courses are offered online in 8-week formats.
• Students can enroll in the program during fall and spring semesters.
• The PA Department of Education’s new intern certification program is a professional program that entitles the holder of the certificate to take the same student teaching program, but instead of student teaching, they would take internship classes as they teach in a full-time capacity, as the teacher of record in a P-12 classroom.

Full Time Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Stafford Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education

At Carlow University, the Master of Education in Athletic Leadership prepares passionate educators, coaches, and athletic professionals to lead with purpose in the evolving world of sports. Rooted in Carlow’s Mercy-inspired mission to create a more just and merciful world, this fully online graduate program blends practical leadership training with ethical decision-making, community engagement, and the latest standards in athletic administration and coaching.

Designed for working professionals, the MEd in Athletic Leadership offers flexible 8-week courses and specialized tracks in administration and coaching, allowing students to advance their careers while balancing personal and professional commitments. Graduates emerge equipped to manage athletic programs, mentor athletes, and drive positive change across schools, colleges, and organizations.

Quick facts

• Courses are offered online in 8-week formats.
• Students who elect to enroll and complete two courses per 8 weeks may complete the program in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer).
• The sports coaching and athletic leadership market is projected to grow at 6–7% annually, reaching $20 billion globally by 2032. Athletic director positions are expected to grow 7% by 2028, while coaching roles will grow 6% by 2034, faster than average for all occupations.

Career Opportunities for MEd in Athletic Leadership

Master of Education in Athletic Leadership is designed for working professionals, current teachers, and aspiring coaches. The degree program will provide two track options: athletic leadership and coaching. The first leads to careers in managing athletic programs, in public and private arenas. The coaching track develops coaching techniques aligned to the National Standards for Sport Coaches for public schools, higher education, and organization-based coaches. This master’s program will enable leaders to support, teach, and administer the latest standards, instructional strategies, models, theories, and techniques associated with effective administration, and coaching.

This degree can prepare graduates for the following positions:
• Athletic Director
• Head Coach or Coaching Coordinator
• Sports Program Administrator
• Leadership roles in collegiate or professional athletics

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Education Department will seek accreditation through the National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) — a committee overseen by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the coaching profession, coaching education, and coach development. The standards utilized for coursework will be taken from the National Standards
for Sports Coaches.

Full-time Faculty

Keely Baronak, EdD Dean, College of Education and Social Work

Dr. Jennifer Stafford Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education

Carlow University’s Master of Science in Nursing Executive Organizational Leadership program and its accompanying Post-Master’s Certificate prepare nurses to become the kind of healers the world needs; leaders who combine strategic expertise with compassion and a deep commitment to improving patient care. Designed in collaboration with healthcare executives, the curriculum equips graduates with high-level business and organizational skills, from fiscal management concepts drawn from Carlow’s MBA program to system-level project leadership, health policy, and ethics. Through 100% online coursework paired with a 150-hour mentored internship, you’ll learn from faculty with real-world executive nursing experience and graduate ready to lead at the highest levels, driving compassionate care, shaping ethical policy, and helping to create a more just and merciful world.

Quick facts

Nursing executive preparedness with concentration in high-level business management

• System Level Project Management
• Fiscal Management concepts from the Carlow MBA program
• Human Resource strategic management
• Health Policy, Ethics & mentored leadership development at the VP level and above

Career opportunities for Masters
in Nursing Executive Organizational Leadership & Post-Masters Certificate

Chief Nursing Officer

Vice-President level positions within healthcare organizations
(example: VP Perioperative Services, VP Nursing Operations,
VP Patient Experience)

Admission requirements and application process

Full-time Faculty

Keely Baronak, EdD Dean, College of Education and Social Work

Dr. Jennifer Stafford Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education

Devoted to Community Impact 

At Carlow University, our Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice empowers you to lead with purpose and serve with integrity. Whether you’re advancing your career or shifting your path, you’ll find a supportive, student-focused environment focused on making a lasting impact. Join a network of changemakers shaping a more just and merciful world. 

The program spans one year, with five specializations that are cross-disciplinary, and skills based. All students will complete the core program requirements (totaling 12 credits) and will select from two specialization tracks (each consisting of 9 credits for a total of 18 credits). Specialty tracks include Forensic Psychology, Public Safety, Fraud Investigation, Forensic Accounting, and Cyber Threat Analytics. 

Where Theory Meets Real-World Application

The Carlow MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice offers students a 30-credit graduate degree that can be highly specialized depending on the student’s career interests. The program has four core courses (MCR 700 Advanced Criminological Theory, MCR 701 Justice Policy, PYM 706 Research Methods for the Social Sciences, and PYM 721 Systems of Criminal Justice) that form the foundation on which to build specialization.

Students can match any two of our five dynamic practice tracks to form unique learning experiences relevant to their future careers. Are you interested in developing skills to address financial crimes and money laundering? Complete the specialization tracks in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation. Do you want to understand how psychological assessment and treatment affects police and those who are incarcerated? Complete the specialization tracks in Public Safety and Forensic Psychology. Have you considered entering federal law enforcement and pursuing bad actors on the dark web? Specializations in Cyber Threat Analytics and Forensic Psychology or Fraud Investigation may be your best academic option.

Quick facts

Whatever career path you are considering, the Carlow MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice can help support your training for those next steps. Unique aspects of the program include:

• Five unique specializations that are not commonly offered by competitor programs
• Heavy emphasis on applied skills development
• A potential blend of psychology and criminology options for those exploring both disciplines
• Professors with both research and field experience who not only teach, but engage with their area of specialized practice in the community

Specializations

The Forensic Psychology specialization develops students’ expertise at the juncture of psychology and the legal system, preparing them for roles in forensic, correctional, and clinical settings. Core courses cover competency evaluations, risk assessments, and ethical practice, while exploring criminal behavior’s psychological and social causes. Practical skills in motivational interviewing and offender treatment emphasize real-world application. This foundation prepares graduates to become ethical and effective forensic psychology professionals.

Fraud Investigation

The Fraud Investigation specialization equips students with knowledge and tools to detect, investigate, and prevent financial crimes in various settings. Students study white-collar crime motives and methods, money laundering mechanisms, and legal and investigative strategies. Ethics and prevention courses focus on risk minimization and fostering organizational integrity. This specialization suits those targeting careers in forensic accounting, compliance, corporate investigations, or financial regulation.

Forensic Accounting

The Forensic Accounting specialization prepares students to identify financial misconduct and support legal proceedings through investigative analysis. Foundational courses differentiate forensic from traditional accounting, emphasizing litigation support and fraud detection. Advanced study in financial statement examination and audit procedures builds skills in spotting red flags and employing controls to prevent fraud. The curriculum readies students for roles in fraud examination, financial forensics, compliance, and investigative accounting.

Public Safety

The Public Safety specialization is tailored for professionals working in high-pressure environments involving mental health, communication, and crisis response, especially first responders. Students learn to identify behavioral and substance-related signs in the field, apply de-escalation communication techniques, and adopt trauma-informed mental health approaches. Emphasis is placed on building trust, safety, and competence in complex situations. This program prepares students for enhanced public safety roles requiring psychological insight and crisis management skills.

Cyber Threat Analytics

The Cyber Threat Analytics specialization prepares students to detect, analyze, and respond to evolving digital threats. Courses on cybercrime cover tactics like hacking and identity theft, while dark web analysis trains safe and effective investigation of illicit online activity. Advanced cyber analysis focuses on using cutting-edge tools to identify patterns and generate actionable intelligence. This specialization is ideal for careers in cybersecurity, digital forensics, intelligence, and cybercrime investigation.

Accreditation

The Carlow MCRM program does not have any required accrediting bodies.

Criminology faculty

Joseph Roberts, PhD Professor, Department Chair, Program Director of MA in Psychology and MS in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Alexa Capone, PhD Assistant Professor of Undergraduate Psychology and Master of Arts in Psychology

Jonathan Uhl, PhD Assistant Professor of Criminology, Program Director of Undergraduate Criminology

PMHNP Curriculum

The greater demand for PMHNPs coincides with a dramatic increase in reported cases of depression and anxiety, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring that get the treatment they need remains a key concern. With such an unmet need for service providers in this specialty to care for existing patients and help new ones, the demand for more nurses to pursue this specialty will likely only grow.

Quick facts 

• Enroll full-time  

• Fully online 

• Build a professional, resourceful network for your future. 

• Clinical sites provided for students. 

Program Outcomes: These overarching outcomes for all MSN Program Tracks reflect the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials. 

• Provide Comprehensive Care: Formulate medical diagnoses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and order/interpret diagnostic tests for patients of all ages. 

• Achieve Certification: Meet all educational requirements to successfully sit for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification exams. 

• Lead and Collaborate: Supervise healthcare teams, lead interdisciplinary collaborations, and integrate cost-containment and care coordination strategies. 

• Advocate and Educate: Design community health education programs and collaborate with policymakers to improve patient access to care. 

• Serve Underserved Communities: Apply specialized training—bolstered by Carlow’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) initiatives—to treat medically underserved and disadvantaged populations. 

Prepared for Certification and Licensure: Graduates are eligible to sit for national PMHNP board certification.  In the final semester, students complete a comprehensive board review course designed to reinforce clinical reasoning, strengthen exam readiness, and support a confident transition into advanced practice. Graduates leave Carlow confident, prepared, and ready to expand their practice — grounded in a solid foundation of clinical excellence, holistic care, and Mercy-centered formation.

76 Years of Nursing Excellence

For 76 Years, Carlow University’s School of Nursing has been dedicated to educating and empowering nurses who make a significant impact on healthcare as clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers. As we look to the future, Carlow University remains devoted to creating ethical leaders who strive to build a more just and merciful world.

Investing in the Future of Youth Mental Health 

Carlow University is proud to support the next generation of mental health leaders through the CURE Grant, an award of up to $25,000 for students who demonstrate a commitment to serving pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients in underserved communities. 
 
This grant reflects Carlow’s mission to expand access to care where it is needed most. Recipients are prepared not only to deliver high-quality, evidence-based treatment, but to address disparities in mental health access and outcomes among vulnerable populations. 
 
Through initiatives like the CURE Grant, Carlow advances its commitment to justice, advocacy, and the formation of clinicians who lead with both skill and mercy. 

Career opportunities for Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners 

Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth will occur primarily because of an increased emphasis on preventive care and demand for health care services from an aging population.  

Apply online at no cost here. Submit the following materials: 

• Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended 

• Personal essay that describes your academic objectives 

• Current resume or curriculum vitae 

• Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a supervisor) that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work 

• No GRE or GMAT required 

• One year of clinical experience is required prior to beginning clinical rotations. 

• A current and valid unrestricted license as a registered nurse 

• Completed and approved undergraduate statistics course 

**Post MSN Certification Program – NP graduates in another NP specialty must show evidence of current licensure and certification. A gap analysis will be completed to determine study plan and clinical hours. 

**Applicants with pre-licensure master of nursing degrees may be required to take additional courses from the graduate nursing common core curriculum to meet all program requirements, if equivalent coursework was not completed in their prior master’s program.  

Faculty & staff

Margaret Smith DNP MSN CRNP FNP-BC  Associate Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner Program Director

Zachary Walker, DNP, CRNP, FNP-C  Assistant Professor 

Michelle Vitale, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC  Coordinator, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Program

Jean Dean, DNP, MSN, RN Director of Clinical Education 

Marissa Cullen PharmD, BCPP  Adjunct Faculty

Carl A. Ross, PhD, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP Adjunct Faculty

Dawn Ball DNP FNP-BC, FNP-C Adjunct Faculty

Nicholas Pertile, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C Adjunct Faculty

Megan Rodriguez, DNP, MSN, FNP-C Adjunct Faculty

Miranda E. Jones DNP, FNP-BC, MSN, IBCLC Adjunct Faculty – Pediatrics

Our responsive faculty and supportive community care deeply for students and work hard to help you meet your goals. With the assistance of a dedicated program-level faculty adviser, you’ll prepare to grow your healthcare career. 

Apply anytime: Fall start  

HRSA IMPACT Grant 

Carlow University was approved for a 2.6-million-dollar HRSA Grant with disbursement of funds over the next 4 years ending in 2027. This grant focuses on placing FNP students into medically underserved areas to complete their primary care rotations and a specialty rotation with a focus on women’s and behavioral health.  The goal of the grant is to make a BIG IMPACT on students, preceptors, and the underserved population through “Impacting Diversity and Education of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses for Healthy Communities” .  Current full time FNP students are eligible to apply for up to $23,000 in tuition reimbursement. The impact grant application is closed to new students. 

HRSA Grant Faculty 
Shannon Robertson, MSN, MBA, CRNP, FNP-C, CMC, Project Coordinator 
Deborah Mitchum, DNP, ANP-C, WHNP, Project Director, Clinical Coordinator 
Monte Stone, Administrative Assistant  

Carlow University’s New EdD Program: Devoted to the Future of Education

EdD courses at Carlow are different from other programs because they feature a distinctly integrated doctoral study design, with each course building upon previous ideas while preparing students to engage with new concepts that can inform their practice. Throughout the program, students are invited to study systems design, to engage in discursive deliberation, and to explore new transformational approaches to education.

Quick Facts

• Our EdD is rooted in our rich history and traditions of social justice, Mercy values, and Scholar-Practitioner philosophy
• We invite and respect diversity of thinking and expression as we learn together to challenge social injustices and inequities in schools.
• This program positions students as innovative thinkers as they present their ideas and practice-based research.
• Students can learn and work with other innovative system thinkers.

Online Degree
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree.

Discover a world of possibilities with an MA in Psychology

Did you know there are personal benefits to studying psychology?¹

• Understand yourself better 
• Learn about research methods 
• Improve your understanding of others 

• Become a better communicator 
• Develop critical thinking skills 
• Help you in your future career 

• Learn about human development 
• Complement other areas of study 
• Develop insight into mental illness

Learn from professionals

MA in Psychology Career-focused Curriculum

Taught in a personalized, hands-on learning environment, our master’s in psychology curriculum focuses on advanced general and applied psychology principles, and valuable research and clinical skills that you can immediately apply to your place of work.  

Choose the psychology specialization that is best for you

Specialize your psychology courses to fit your career goals and personal aspirations. Each guided elective specialization provides you with the opportunity to learn the theories, skills, tools and treatments for that area.

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.

Online Degree

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

Specializations include:

• Forensic Psychology
• Assessment Psychology
• Treatment Psychology
• Therapeutic Arts Psychology

Mickenna Ansell ’22

“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.”

Rachel Seamans ’21

“They [the faculty] 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.”

Admission requirements and application process

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

Psychology faculty

Joseph Roberts, PhD Professor, Department Chair, Program Director of MA in Psychology and MS in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Mary C. Burke, PhD Professor, Program Director

Jennifer K. Roth, PhD Professor of Psychology, Counseling, Criminology and Behavioral Neuroscience

Shannon White, Psy.D. Assistant Professor & Clinical Coordinator of MA in Psychology

¹ “Why We All Can Learn From Studying Psychology,” Verywell Mind
² “Working in Psychological Science,” American Psychological Association
³ “Career Paths in Psychology,” American Psychological Association

Expand your ability to transform lives, become a doctor of physical therapy

Well-rounded, employable PT curriculum

Our physical therapy curriculum allows you to learn the many facets of the PT industry including team-based patient care (interprofessional collaboration), entrepreneurship, leadership, health informatics to guide clinical decision-making, understanding of healthcare policies, and economics.

Designed to give you the time you need to reflect and digest your new knowledge, each Fall and Spring semester is divided into two, eight-week sessions.

Curricular highlights

• Learn in a healthcare team model which provides you with the opportunity to learn and discuss with aspiring nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physician assistants and speech-language pathologists.
• Build confidence in your clinical skill through simulated hospital and ICU scenarios in our state-of-the-art simulation lab.
• Graduate with a competitive resume that will include pro-bono services at our community teaching/learning lab, opportunities throughout the Carlow campus community (early learning center, elementary school, Sisters of Mercy convent) and international clinical experiences.

At Carlow, we believe that the non-technical skills are equally essential to your health professional training as the technical skills. Your training will emphasize three important habits of healthcare practice:

Heart (professional formation/responsibilities)

Head (cognitive knowledge)

Hand (clinical skills)

It is the training in the habits of the heart that will allow you to act above and beyond your technical responsibilities and advocate for your patients.

It is the expectation that Carlow University physical therapy graduates will advocate for healthcare equity for all, serve their communities with empathy and compassion, and actively contribute to creating a just and merciful world.

Admission requirements and application process

You can apply through PTCAS, and must submit the following materials:

Early assurance (conditional admission) for High School students to apply in: View our helpful fact sheet [pdf] that offers guidance on the process and requirements.

Physical Therapy faculty: Learn from the experts

Department and program questions can be directed to DPTProgram@carlow.edu.

Keely Baronak, EdD Dean, College of Education and Social Work

Dr. Jennifer Stafford Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education

Mission statement

Our physical therapy program strives to develop evidence-informed, critically-thinking, skilled practitioners and leaders who advocate for healthcare equity for all, serve their communities with empathy and compassion, and actively contribute to creating a just and merciful world.