Carlow University’s Occupational Therapy Program is leading the way in training their students to provide school-aged children access to positive…
Devoted to Caring for the Mental and Emotional Needs of All Patients
Carlow University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program (PMHNP) is for ethical healthcare professionals seeking to create a better healthcare system by contributing to fair and just mental health care – and all healthcare – for everyone.
With more than 26 million individuals with a mental illness going untreated, our nation is in dire need of compassionate, ethical mental health leaders. Carlow’s PMHNP program is for students devoted to providing specialized assessment and treatment for a full range of mental health disorders, including counseling and medication management. Within this program, it is possible to specialize in certain types of patients, such as children, families, or those with substance abuse problems.
Credits Required:
- 19 courses for the MSN
- 14 courses for the Post MSN
- 9 courses for the Post MSN NP
Cost Per Credit:
$918
Time to Degree:
As few as 28 months
Delivery:
100% online
Secondary Keyword 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
- The ideal student is a nurse with compassion, sensitivity, and exceptional communication and relationship-building skills. It requires someone who can be objective and empathetic who understands that a person isn’t defined by their mental health condition.
- Graduates of Carlow’s nursing programs are prepared to be innovative, caring, compassionate, ethical members of a healthcare team. The opportunity for interdisciplinary education with psychology and social work peers is a distinct advantage.
- Carlow has 75 years of experience in educating nurses and the nurse practitioner programs have had 97-100% pass rates for certification boards over the past eight years.
- Carlow offers certification for nurses who already possess an MSN in another field of study.
- Upon completion of the degree or certification, the graduate can sit for a national certification exam, and upon passing, is given a professional, advanced practice license by the state board.
- Each state has a different licensing board, but they all require and accept the national certification. We utilize a board review course in the student’s final semester to help them successfully prepare and pass the certification exam.
Alternate Degree Completion Options
Online Degree
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Accelerated
Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count towards both degrees. Apply for this option after your sophomore year.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
- 3.0 GPA Minimum for Admission
- Apply anytime, start date in the Fall Semester.
- It is possible to transfer up to 18 post-Masters credits.
- This program accepts international students.
- Current CV, graduate transcript, and an essay are required to apply.
- Three (3) professional recommendations are required.
Apply:
Any time
Start Terms:
Fall
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this doctorate Visit admissions @carlow.edu or call 412.578.6059 if you would like to learn more about the program by scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
Faculty & staff
Alison Bauer, DNP, FNP-C Assistant Professor
Ruth Foreman, DNP, RN, APRN, FNP-BC Assistant Professor
Susan Mihaljevic, DNP, CRNP-PC Associate Professor
Bernadette Sherman Director, Clinical Education, Associate Professor
Carlow University’s New EdD Program: Devoted to the Future of Education
Carlow University’s new Doctorate in Education (EdD) program is geared toward teachers and administrators who recognize the need for a new brand of leadership to re-imagine the future of education now.
This three-year practice-based inquiry program is for people who are devoted to extending their voices beyond their particular disciplines to help change the world for their future students. It offers four learning tracks:
Leadership | Curriculum and Learning | Literacy | Early Childhood Policy and Leadership
Credits Required:
54
Cost Per Credit:
$650
Time to Completion:
As few as 36 months
Delivery:
100% online – Dissertation defense is in person.
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 and mercy values.
- 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.
Alternate Degree Completion Options
Online Degree
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Accelerated
Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count towards both degrees. Apply for this option after your sophomore year.
Career Opportunities for EdD
The EdD degree is the highest degree that can be awarded in the field of education. It signifies unparalleled expertise and concentrated study in the field. This degree is valued by individuals seeking a career as principals, school district superintendents, assistant superintendents, college faculty, executive directors, or heads of foundations.
Full-Time Faculty
Keely Baronak, EdD Chair, Professor, Education
Sean Freeland Assistant Professor
Tammi McMillan Director, Early Childhood Apprenticeship Hub
MiIsha Reid Assistant Professor, Special Education
Patricia McMahon, PhD Professor, Education
Valerie Piccini, MEd Instructor, Reading Specialist, Education
Marissa McClure-Sweeny Faculty and Program Director, Early Childhood
Admission Requirements and Application Process
- 3.0 GPA Minimum for Admission
- Apply anytime, start date in the Fall Semester.
- It is possible to transfer up to 18 post-Masters credits
- This program accepts international students
- Current CV, graduate transcript, and an essay are required to apply
- Three (3) professional recommendations are required
Apply:
Any time
Start Terms:
Fall, Spring, and Summer
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this doctorate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.
Enhance your career opportunities in the biotech industry
Designed for the biotech working professional who is looking to effect change in the health sector, our Quality Control and Assurance Certificate program offers a pathway to new and impactful career paths in healthcare and the life science fields. Designed in partnership with industry leaders, this online certificate will equip you with employable skills that you can take into the workforce at any time.
- Gain knowledge of therapeutic and medical device life cycle management
- Learn how financial risk and regulations play a part in discovering and developing healthcare and medical products.
- Understand the integration of supply chain management and how it intersects with the healthcare sector
Credits required:
12 credits
Cost per credit:
$875/credit
Time to completion:
As few as 8 months
Delivery:
100% online
Quality Assurance and Control online courses include:
- Quality Assurance in Health Sector
- Pharmaceutical Business Lifecycle Management
- Supply Chain Management in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Financial Processes & Risk in Pharmaceutical Industry
Pittsburgh, a force in the biotech industry
The Pittsburgh Region, already known for its innovation and excellence in healthcare, is now a force in the biotech industry, one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. Here at Carlow, innovation is what drives us. We are partnering with industry leaders who share a vision for the future of Pittsburgh to provide solutions to meet the next great need.
“As an industry expert- Pittsburgh is committed to building the infrastructure needed to support those working in the biomedical and life science fields.”
— Patrick Bailey, BioTech Professional
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to answer any questions or assist you with the next steps.
Discover a world of possibilities with an MA in Psychology
The global popularity and growth of psychology has created endless possibilities for careers beyond the traditional psychology setting such as business, education, health and public safety.
Discover your passion through our specially designed curriculum, which offers six guided elective specializations including forensic, educational, assessment, treatment, expressive arts or general exploration. You will collaborate with our supportive and experienced faculty to choose the pathway that helps you become who you want to be.
While our MA in Psychology program serves as a program for those who wish to pursue a career that does not require licensure, it can provide a great pathway to a doctorate as well.
Quick facts
- Learn advanced general and applied psychology principles
- Choose the area of focus that makes sense for you
- Be prepared to pursue a doctorate
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
Credits required:
36 credits
Cost per credit:
$957/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 4 semesters
Delivery:
On campus & online
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.
Forensic Psychology
Engage in theories and applications of psychology relevant to criminal and civil legal settings.
Assessment Psychology
Use field techniques and tools to develop hypotheses about personality, symptoms, behavior and cognitive ability.
Treatment Psychology
Understand the theories and treatment skills needed to work with a wide array of people struggling with mental health issues.
Therapeutic Arts Psychology
Integrate your passion for the arts and humanities into your psychology coursework.
Exploration Psychology
Take a wider breadth of courses across multiple cluster groups to develop a unique academic path right for you.
Educational Psychology
Apply psychology skills and knowledge within primary and secondary school settings with a focus on supporting educational needs and reducing obstacles to learning
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.
Discover endless career possibilities with an MA in Psychology
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Understanding psychological science and how to apply it is an asset in any career. A psychology degree, from the bachelor’s to the master’s and doctorate degree, helps employees perform in a wide variety of jobs both within and beyond the psychology discipline.”2
The APA identifies the following career paths3:
- Helping businesses
- Helping people improve their lives
- Promoting health
- Protecting the planet
- Serving communities
- Understanding the world around us
- Working in schools
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:
- 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 from professors or clinical/research supervisors that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
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.
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall, Spring & Summer
Psychology faculty
Joseph Roberts, PhD Professor, Program Director of MA in Psychology, MS in Fraud and Forensics, and Undergraduate Criminology
Keely Baronak, EdD Chair, Professor, Education
Mary Burke, PhD Professor, Counseling Psychology
Patricia McMahon, PhD Professor, Education
Jennifer Roth, PhD Professor, Psychology
Shannon White Assistant Professor
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
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
Join a diverse group of aspiring physical therapists in a deep and accelerated experiential learning journey. Our expert team has uniquely designed a well-rounded, hands-on PT curriculum geared towards treating patients beyond their disease to improve functional outcomes.
An integral part of your training will consist of 4, full-time clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings (hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine, pediatrics).
To complement your clinical knowledge, you will become well-versed in seeing beyond the patient’s impairment and see how their life circumstances can impact their recovery.
Quick facts
- Sharpen your technical and non-technical skills for healthcare practice
- Learn in a healthcare team-based model (interprofessional collaboration)
- Gain clinical experiences in Pittsburgh, around the U.S. and internationally
- Lock in your tuition for all 8 semesters*
*Lock in your tuition
Incoming (Fall 2024) PT students are eligible to lock in their per-credit tuition rate for their whole program duration as long as they are continually enrolled in the PT program.
▸ View tuition & fees [pdf]
Credits required:
115 credits
Cost per credit:
$950/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 8 semesters
Delivery:
On campus
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.
Career opportunities for physical therapists
Understood as one of the most rewarding healthcare careers, physical therapists develop real relationships with their patients and help them live better lives through rehabilitative medicine. Located in Pittsburgh, our PT program is in the heart of physical therapy career opportunity.
#10
best healthcare jobs
21%
growth in the next 10 years
95k
median salary for PTs
To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a physical therapist degree from a CAPTE- accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam.
Apply today and get an interview next month!
Qualified applicants will be invited for a formal interview with the DPT faculty. As part of the interview, applicants will write a personal statement responding to specific essay prompts that demonstrates the applicant’s fit with the mission of Carlow University.
Admission requirements and application process
You can apply through PTCAS, and must submit the following materials:
- A completed application on PTCAS
- A bachelor’s degree (students can apply in their senior year but must graduate before the start of the DPT program).
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00+
- Prerequisites completed within 10 years and before matriculation (Fall 2013 to current)
- C+ or better: One course in anatomy with Lab, one course in physiology with Lab, or two courses sequence in anatomy and physiology with lab, two courses in biological sciences, one course in psychology/sociology
- C or better: Two courses in general chemistry with Lab, two courses in general physics with Lab, one course in statistics
- One page resume
- Two Letters of recommendation describing the following:
- From a licensed physical therapist that you observed describing your passion for physical therapy and how our profession is a right fit for you.
- From an undergraduate counselor or professor who can describe your personal and academic abilities to be successful in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and become a licensed practitioner
- No set number of observation hours is required. However, it is expected that interested students will have engaged in those opportunities to be able to articulate their interest in the physical therapy profession confidently and competently.
If you are an international student, additional items are required.
Apply
Priority deadline: Nov. 1
Final deadline: May 15
Start term:
Fall (August)
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.
FROM OUR BLOG
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Feb 13, 2023Evidence-Based Practice In Physical Therapy
Jan 12, 2023Physical therapists want to make well-informed clinical decisions. That’s why many are turning to evidence-based practice through which they create…
Becoming A School-Based Speech Language Pathologist
Dec 15, 2022Why should you become a school based speech-language pathologist? Some of the benefits include getting summers off, working as part…
Physical Therapy faculty: Learn from the experts
Kunal Bhanot, PT, PhD, FAAOMPT Chair, Associate Professor
Navpreet Kaur, PT, PhD, DPT, Dip ACLM Associate Professor
Katie Shroyer, PT, DPT, CBIS Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
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.
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
Accreditation
Effective 04/25/23, Carlow University, Doctor of Physical Therapy program, has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please email: dptprogram@carlow.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/ professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Policies
- View or download the Program Complaint Policy and Procedure [pdf]
Further your education and create new career pathways
Today’s workplace is rapidly changing, and it demands specialized knowledge and skills. As a lifelong learner and a Carlow alumni you know the importance of continuing your education so that you remain at the top of your skill level and expertise. More than 50 graduate, doctoral and certificate programs are available to you with flexible course options so that you can continue your education in a way that works with your schedule.
Available Graduate Programs
Program Name
Offered
Degree Earned
Transform the future of healthcare with an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, sacredness of creation and service, Carlow’s entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program will help prepare you for a meaningful career in healthcare. You will develop deep roots in humanistic theory, emphasizing a balance of physical, emotional, and social health and wellness, participate in interprofessional experiences, engage in community service, and complete applicable fieldwork.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being.
Quick facts
- Learn interprofessionally (alongside other aspiring healthcare professionals)
- Become a powerful citizen of justice in society and healthcare
- Prepare yourself to be an innovative leader in healthcare
▸ Read about theCarlow difference [pdf]
Lock in your tuition!
If you plan to start your occupational therapy (MSOT, OTD) degree in Fall 2024, you are eligible to lock in your per-credit tuition rate for your whole program duration as long as you are continually enrolled in the program.
Credits required:
100 credits
Cost per credit:
$950/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 8 semesters
Delivery:
On campus
Occupational Therapy Doctorate curriculum
Throughout the OTD 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. Completion of a doctoral capstone project will position you to identify areas of need in practice to address under-resourced individuals, groups and populations.
- Level I fieldwork (3 required): discover, develop and enhance your professional identity and apply your classroom knowledge to your experiences located on campus and in the surrounding Pittsburgh, Pa community
- Level II fieldwork (2, 12-week required, pre-requisite of the doctoral capstone experience): apply clinical and technological skills in a variety of supervised practice settings (interprofessional & evidence-based) and focus on environment and community concepts (education & advocacy)
- Doctoral Capstone Experience (14-week course): address a link to the domain of OT, occupational justice, and health and wellbeing to promote occupational engagement of clients (individuals, groups, or populations).
▸ View or download our program’smission and outcomes [pdf]
The OTD 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.
Career opportunities for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists, as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association, are skilled health care professionals who use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective.
Ranked one of the best jobs by U.S. News & World Report, OT is slated to grow 14% over the next 10 years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
▸ View or download theoccupational therapy information sheet[pdf]
Admission requirements and application process
At Carlow University, our Occupational Therapy program, uses a holistic admissions process. In this process we evaluate you as a whole person and acknowledge a student’s lived experiences, work, and service initiatives. These areas are specifically given credit during your application process. We look forward to meeting you and guiding you throughout the process.
Applications are open for Fall 2023 on the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).
▸ View the full list ofadmissions requirements and application process.
Early assurance (conditional admission) for High School students to apply: View our helpful fact sheet [pdf] that offers guidance on the process and requirements.
Apply now!
Application deadline: May 31, 2024
Start term:
Fall
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
Occupational Therapy faculty
Erin Phillips, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, DipACLM Program Director, Associate Professor
Elizabeth Sherman Assistant Professor / Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
Blythe Westendorf Assistant Professor
Alyssa Kallenbaugh, OTD, OTR/L Field Coordinator/Assistant Professor
Ainsley Dillon, MOT, OTR/L Adjunct Lecturer
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
Follow us on social media
Accreditation
The Carlow University entry-level doctoral occupational therapy degree (OTD) program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation does not assure eventual accreditation.
To be eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam, OTR candidates must graduate with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy (OT) program. Per USDE regulations, all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding Candidate for Accreditation status are considered to be from an accredited program. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. The Carlow University OT Program meets the educational requirements for certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
ACOTE lists programs by accreditation status — feel free to take a look: https://acoteonline.org/schools/
- View or download ourAccreditation Timeline [pdf]
- View or download theProgram Goals and Outcomes [pdf]
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes with regard to graduation rates and NBCOT certification exam results are updated and posted yearly. As a new program, we will be posting information when available. See the results on NBCOT for School Performance Home page.
Build potential and access to full participation with an MS in Occupational Therapy
Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, sacredness of creation, 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.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being.
Quick facts
- Learn interprofessionally (alongside other aspiring healthcare professionals)
- 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]
Lock in your tuition!
If you plan to start your occupational therapy (MSOT, OTD) degree in Fall 2024, you are eligible to lock in your per-credit tuition rate for your whole program duration as long as you are continually enrolled in the program.
Credits required:
73 credits
Cost per credit:
$950/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 6 semesters
Delivery:
On campus
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
▸ View or download our program’s mission and outcomes [pdf]
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.
Career opportunities for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists, as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association, are skilled health care professionals who use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective.
Ranked one of the best jobs by U.S. News & World Report, OT is slated to grow 14% over the next 10 years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
▸ View or download the occupational therapy information sheet [pdf]
Admission requirements and application process
At Carlow University, our Occupational Therapy program, uses a holistic admissions process. In this process we evaluate you as a whole person and acknowledge a student’s lived experiences, work, and service initiatives. These areas are specifically given credit during your application process. We look forward to meeting you and guiding you throughout the process.
Applications are open for Fall 2023 on the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).
▸ View the full list of admissions requirements and application process.
Early assurance (conditional admission) for High School students to apply: View our helpful fact sheet [pdf] that offers guidance on the process and requirements.
Apply now!
Application deadline: April 1, 2024
Start term:
Fall
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
Occupational Therapy faculty
Erin Phillips, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, DipACLM Program Director, Associate Professor
Elizabeth Sherman Assistant Professor / Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
Blythe Westendorf Assistant Professor
Alyssa Kallenbaugh, OTD, OTR/L Field Coordinator/Assistant Professor
Ainsley Dillon, MOT, OTR/L Adjunct Lecturer
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
Follow us on social media
Accreditation
The Carlow University entry-level masters occupational therapy degree (MSOT) program has been granted Pre-Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org. Pre- Accreditation status indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in professional courses. Pre-Accreditation does not assure eventual accreditation.
To be eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam, OTR candidates must graduate with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy (OT) program. Per USDE regulations, all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding Candidate for Accreditation status are considered to be from an accredited program. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. The Carlow University OT Program meets the educational requirements for certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
ACOTE lists programs by accreditation status — feel free to take a look: https://acoteonline.org/schools/
- View or download our Accreditation Timeline [pdf]
- View or download the Program Goals and Outcomes [pdf]
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes with regard to graduation rates and NBCOT certification exam results are updated and posted yearly. As a new program, we will be posting information when available. See the results on NBCOT for School Performance Home page.
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