At Carlow University, the next generation of ethical leaders is already in the making.
Here, our students gain more than just a degree – they build connections, find purpose, and thrive – working in ways big and small to reshape the future. With your support, we can continue to invest in these future leaders and expand their ability to transform our world.
At Carlow University, the next generation of ethical leaders is already in the making.
Here, our students gain more than just a degree – they build connections, find purpose, and thrive – working in ways big and small to reshape the future. With your support, we can continue to invest in these future leaders and expand their ability to transform our world.
Teaching for the 21st Century: MEd in STEM Curriculum & Instruction
Computational thinking is vital in today’s world. Carlow University provides teachers the skills they need to integrate science, technology, engineering and math into their curriculums.
In the Master’s in STEM Teaching program, you will examine ethical issues, curricular models, robotic technology and current research in effective design and instruction, and will engage in inquiry projects and STEM-based field experiences.
In this program, you will collaboratively apply, demonstrate and assess your own STEM curriculum. You’ll learn coding using Scratch, Snap and Python and will be introduced to the Flutter, Finch, Hummingbird, EarthTime, Circuit Blocks, Speck and Vex Robotics technologies.
Carlow University is a CREATE Lab satellite, which gives faculty access to emerging technologies. You will complete an Interdisciplinary Models course highlighting technology fluency and emerging technologies. You’ll have access to robotic technology and advanced professional development.
Community partnerships in the Pittsburgh area offer workshops and activities with guest speakers.
Quick facts
Take courses at night or online in an 8-week format.
Complete your degree in 1 year or 2 years
Teacher With Female Pupils Building Robotic Vehicle In Science Lesson
Certificate option
Graduate certificate in STEM Teaching
This program is available as a graduate certificate which leads to an endorsement from PDE for already licensed teachers.
Career opportunities for Master’s in STEM teaching
You’ll return to your classroom or other educational setting prepared to take on leadership roles and contribute in STEM education research and teaching, whether it be with a public, private or nonprofit organization.
Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni
RACHEL OWENS, 2010
Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School
"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."
ANTWAN CARTER, 2018
Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare
"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."
MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020
Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District
"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."
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 that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall & Spring
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.
Empowering young children: Master’s in Early Childhood Education
In the graduate Early Childhood Education program at Carlow University, you will examine the intersecting factors that influence a young child’s growth and development and develop the skills of a highly effective classroom educator. Courses focus on nurturing the dignity, worth and uniqueness of young children from birth to fourth grade. You’ll learn how to create nurturing and challenging classroom environments built on relationships where children can thrive and develop a love of learning. You will be prepared to teach children how to read, consider complexicities of communities and govenment, peform mathematical calculations, examine scientific phenomea, intergrate art and movement in your teaching.
The program, guided by child development pedagogy and early learning standards, will prepare you for initial teaching certification in grades PreK-4th grade. You may elect to take two additional certification exams to add grade 5 and 6 to your licensure area.
Professor Monique Hockman works with students, including Mary Opipery, left, (Class of ’22, biology)and Kinzie Walker (Class of ’22, biologry/perfusion) as they do redox titrations to determine the chemical composition of synthesized salt during a general chemistry II lab, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in AJ Palumbo Hall. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)
You will experience an accelerated program with eight-week online courses. You will learn inclusive practices, differentiated instruction, instructional and assistive technologies, birth-fourth grade curriculum strategies, universal design theory, the science of reading, best practices in dyslexia and culturally responsive education practices.
You will take part in a variety of practicum experiences in your own classrooms and The Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University. Community partnerships in the Pittsburgh area offer workshops and activities with guest speakers.
Quick Facts
Experience a cohort of supportive educator
Engage in creative assignments and meaningful discourse
Study structured literacy and best practices in STEAM based education
Master’s in Early Childhood Education career opportunities
With a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, you can become a preschool or elementary teacher, lead teacher in a child care center, early childhood consultant, lecturer or preschool administrator. You may work as an elementary teacher in a public, private, cyber, or independent school. You may also choose to work in nonprofit or community based organizations seving young children.
Employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow over the next ten year.
Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni
RACHEL OWENS, 2010
Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School
"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."
ANTWAN CARTER, 2018
Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare
"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."
MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020
Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District
"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."
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 that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall, Spring & Summer
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.
Students must complete Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements to gain initial teaching certification.
“Thank you to the Power of One teacher diversification program and Carlow University’s Education PRogram for pushing me to become an educator that is culturally aware, empathetic, and focused on creating a space where all students are seen and heard. I know that students need an adult that relates to them and encourages them to be their best. Carlow’s Education Program has given me all the resources I need to continue ensuring the success of all students”
Graduate Student Lauren Smith, 2020 graduate
Become a caring leader in early childhood education
You can make a difference for the next generation with a Carlow University master’s degree in Early Childhood Supervision. The program prepares early childhood leaders for positions in child care centers and elementary programs serving children from birth through sixth grade. Most principals are not prepared for Pre-K through kindergarten and early elementary leadership, which is this program’s focus.
Carlow will train you to become an effective, ethical agent of systemic change who can tackle implicit bias, racism and equity issues in the early childhood field, and connect you with like-minded educators.
Credits required:
33 credits
Cost per credit:
$618/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 18 months
Delivery:
Online Pracitcum placement onsite
Master’s in Early Childhood Supervision curriculum
Carlow’s program is designed for working adults using a hybrid eight-week course format delivered over three semesters. Course topics include professional development and supervision, planning and administering early childhood programs, and supervising programs in early childhood education.
Quick facts
Complete your degree in 3 semesters
Accelerated 8-week course format offered online and on campus
Adult learner-friendly schedule with evening courses
Access to an early learning lab and professional development workshops
Networking opportunities with early childhood leaders across Pennsylvania
Teacher reading a book with a class of preschool children
Career opportunities for MEd in Early Childhood Supervision
Many school districts across the country report vacancies or a lack of qualified applicants for school leadership roles, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With this degree, you will be prepared for careers in advanced leadership and administrative positions in early child care centers, schools, district offices and nonprofit groups, including early childhood administrator, K-2 principal, Pre-K Counts evaluator, early childhood curriculum director and early childhood mentor.
Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni
RACHEL OWENS, 2010
Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School
"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."
ANTWAN CARTER, 2018
Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare
"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."
MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020
Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District
"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."
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 that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall, Spring & Summer
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 Scholar-Practitioner paradigm is the central, organizing theme of Carlow’s education program, and it is a beautiful, living philosophy that informs everything faculty and students do together in the program. As a full-time educator, it is more important to me than ever that my professional learning opportunities mirror and have resonance and utility with my daily work. I can say unequivocally that this was true of my coursework at Carlow – the learning informed my practice and my practice informed the learning. Carlow’s education program provides students with a remarkable framework for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom. Every professor at Carlow pushed me not only to consider the everyday realities and complexities of teaching in the present, but also to conceptualize and work toward the even greater possible futures of the profession. I can’t say enough positive things about the Creative Inquiry course and process. The entire journey of constructing the Scholarly Personal Narrative (a thesis based on a combination of inquiry-based research rooted in the tradition of personal narrative) during this course was incredibly rewarding. The sense of accomplishment I felt when my piece was finally completed was simply indescribable. I found that the more questions I asked when developing my thesis, the more excited I was by the prospect of someday continuing to explore my inquiry topic via postgraduate research. Teachers are seldom asked in their professional lives to relate their understanding of education in terms of storytelling and narrative, so the opportunity afforded by this course to delve into the greater implications and meaning of my own experiences in the field was both intellectually and emotionally fulfilling.”
Wes Garis 2024 Graduate
Devoted to the Future of Education: Master’s in Secondary Education
With a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Carlow University you’ll be ready to thrive as a middle or high school teacher and to meet the unique needs of today’s students.
Carlow University’s Secondary Certification Program prepares prospective teachers of grades 7 through 12 in the content areas of biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, and social studies.
Carlow’s Scholar-Practitioner Framework emphasizes reflection in promoting teachers’ awareness of their own developing pedagogy and curricular insights to create positive learning environments for adolescent learners. The program aims to prepare culturally responsive and antiracist educators who are aware of the psychological, sociological, and political aspects of teaching and learning. This is all done through a purposeful progression of courses and field work that prepares future teachers to enter the classroom to meet the needs of today’s students.
Quick facts
Our program prepares just and merciful educators who are committed to removing barriers for students
This program prepares students for Pennsylvania Department of Education teaching certification in Secondary Education
Partnerships with area school districts allow for immersive and meaningful field work and student teaching
Career opportunities for Masters in Secondary Education
With an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Carlow University, you will be positioned to assume a middle school or high school teaching position in public, private, charter or parochial schools. You may elect to work in nonprofit or out-of-school learning envioments supportng adolescents or young adults
Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni
RACHEL OWENS, 2010
Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School
"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."
ANTWAN CARTER, 2018
Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare
"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."
MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020
Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District
"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."
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 that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall & Spring
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.
Certification requirements
Upon completion of the course requirements in the program, you must successfully pass:
Student teaching with a combined score of 4 or higher on both PDE 430 evaluation forms
Reach your full writing potential with your master’s in creative writing
Join a community of writers from all walks of life on an immersive and personalized educational journey. Our faculty and mentors have uniquely designed a low-residency, personalized program geared toward helping you discover and reach your full writing potential in fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry.
An integral part of the program are four, 11-day residencies, in Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland, that create an opportunity for you to engage and interface with fellow students, staff, mentors, and visiting renowned writers.
You will work one-on-one with American and Irish Mentors. With their expert guidance and your skill, you will become the writer you were meant to be.
Quick facts
Sharpen your writing and storytelling skills in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry
Learn an immersive and supportive community
Travel to Pittsburgh and Ireland for engaging 11-day residencies with internationally-known writers
In Grace Library, spanning the third and fourth floor of the University Commons, there are numerous quiet spaces and study rooms for individuals and groups to use.
You will work one-on-one with mentors both virtually and in person as you explore writing genres and engage in four, 11-day residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland. The residencies include workshops, masterclasses, and mentor conferences as well as opportunities to engage with visiting writers and alumni.
In a required practicum, you will work on a writing and reading plan and submit work for critique, review, and collaborative feedback. By the end of the program, you will produce a publishable body of work.
Choose the creative writing specialization that is best for you
Choose the creative writing area that best fits your career goals and personal aspirations. Each specialization provides you with the opportunity to hone the writing and storytelling skills for that area.
Fiction
Develop your author’s voice and explore your creativity as you learn to write with a fiction focus. Choose from historical fiction, flash fiction, and young adult fiction.
Creative Nonfiction
Explore memoirs, personal essays, short narrative work, and lyric essays as you find the voice and structure that best suits your story.
Poetry
Understand the theories and treatment skills needed to work with a Explore your creativity, refine your voice, collaborate with other students and work with acclaimed and published poets to develop a publishable body of work.
20: Carlow University MFA in Creative Writing Program’s 20th Anniversary Anthology
Award-winning American and Irish writers mentor students in Carlow’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing Program with residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin. Our MFA mentors are dedicated teachers and writers whose work has been recognized in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Within an inclusive, supportive community, our mentors are committed to helping each student achieve their full writing potential.
Scholarship funds are available to current MFA students. Scholarships are awarded in spring and fall. Applications are evaluated by the program director and the scholarship committee. If you are interested in being considered for available scholarship funds, please send a letter of interest to Tess Barry, MFA Program Director, at tbbarry@carlow.edu. The letter should include a brief personal statement (250-500 words).
Graduate Assistantships
There are two graduate assistantships available each semester. Applications for graduate assistantships are evaluated by the program director and MFA staff.
The Graduate Assistant for Residency Planning helps the MFA administrative team coordinate the logistics for the two-week writing residency each semester. (Spring GA will work on the June Dublin residency; Fall GA will work on the January Pittsburgh residency.) Approximate time commitment is 10 hours/week. The GA will receive a stipend and tuition remission.
The Graduate Assistant for Communications and Recruitment will work with the MFA administration team on social media, marketing and advertising, special events, and recruitment efforts. Approximate time commitment is 10 hours/week. The GA will receive a stipend and tuition remission.
Teaching Assistantships
The Teaching Assistant for the MFA program will teach an undergraduate research and writing course, Foundations of Writing (either I or II). The course is 3 credit hours; The GA will receive a stipend and be paid at the adjunct rate.
If you are interested in being considered for a GA or TA position, email calls for those positions will be posted to all enrolled students in the spring of each year.
Admission requirements and application process
Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
Two essays: Self-assessment of your writing ability and a critical response to a substantive piece of literature
Authored work (should match chosen specialization): 25 pages of fiction you authored, 25 pages of nonfiction you authored, or 10 poems you authored
Current resume or curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Expand your writing opportunities with an MFA in creative nonfiction
Experienced, published faculty will guide you on your writing journey in this program. You can explore memoirs, personal essays, short narrative work and lyric essays. A mentor will guide you to find the voice and structure that best suits your story.
You can take your writing skills to the next level and explore your creativity within a supportive literary community.
Carlow’s MFA in creative nonfiction program includes four 11-day residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland, that feature workshops, master classes and mentor conferences. Practicum work will be on a writing and reading plan designed with your mentor; you will submit work for critique, review and collaborative feedback.
By the end of the program, you will create a book-length work of publishable creative nonfiction. Seminars, lectures and readings in all genres are also available.
Quick Facts
Elevate your learning with small class sizes and a strong literary community
Cultivate connections with peers and faculty
Adapt your learning experience to your schedule
Learn to critique creative nonfiction
Career opportunities for Nonfiction writers
With the writing and creating thinking skills gained from this program, you will be well equipped to become a writing lecturer or published author or write for magazines and other publications.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for editors is slated to decrease 7% over the next 10 years, though many supplement their income with freelance work.
MFA Mentors
Our American and Irish Mentors
Award-winning American and Irish writers mentor students in Carlow’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing Program with residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin. Our MFA mentors are dedicated teachers and writers whose work has been recognized in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Within an inclusive, supportive community, our mentors are committed to helping each student achieve their full writing potential.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
Two essays: Self-assessment of your writing ability and a critical response to a substantive piece of literature
25 pages of nonfiction you authored
Current resume or curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Spring & Summer
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.
Processed with VSCO with c6 preset
Writer found a home among her Carlow peers and mentors
Creative writing graduate student Georgia Hertz ’23 loved the community she found at Carlow. “Writing – like any artform – can be a lonely path to tread, but it doesn’t have to be done in isolation. Never have I felt such warmth and compassion from a group of writers as I have from my peers and mentors at Carlow University, both in Pittsburgh and in Dublin. We all delight in our growth as writers and we celebrate each other’s successes with love, as if they were our own.”
Carlow’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership will prepare you for advanced leadership positions in public, private or nonprofit educational institutions. You’ll be prepared to become a leader with the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to respond to educational challenges with an equity lens.
Carlow’s collaboration with area schools gives students access to meaningful internship experiences alongside mentor principals as they lead schools, design strategic plans, use data to make informed decisions and engage with stakeholders to implement initiatives that best serve a diverse student body.
Credits required:
30 credits
Cost per credit:
$618/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 12 months
Delivery:
Online Internship In-Person
MEd in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification curriculum
The curriculum uses project-based applications of skills and competencies and includes specialized coursework in improvement science, systems thinking and building networked communities. We have a 100% pass rate on the principal certification for the past 10 years.
Quick facts
Experience a yearlong internship with a mentor principal
Pursue extensive professional development opportunities
Continue to work while completing your degree
100% pass rate on the Principal Certification exam for the past 10 years
Principal Certification Prep option
Principal Certification Prep
If you have already earned an MEd and are looking to add a principal certification we offer an 18-credit preparation pathway.
Career opportunities for Master’s in Education Leadership
Leadership skills are always in demand, making the career outlook for education management bright. A Carlow master’s degree will help you achieve your goals as a principal, program director or administrator.
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects are best for those with experience developing online and mobile training programs. BLS projects employment of elementary, middle and high school principals to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029.
Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni
RACHEL OWENS, 2010
Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School
"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."
ANTWAN CARTER, 2018
Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare
"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."
MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020
Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District
"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."
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 that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work.
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall & Spring
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. You’ll also need to have three years of successful classroom or educational experience prior to program admission
Earn your Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Poetry at Carlow
You can begin the journey toward becoming a published poet with a MFA in Poetry from Carlow University. You will explore your creativity, refine your voice, collaborate with other students and work with acclaimed and published poets.
Carlow’s MFA in Poetry program includes four 11-day residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland, that feature workshops, master classes, seminars, lectures and readings. Practicum work will be on a writing and reading plan designed with your mentor; you will submit work for critique, review and collaborative feedback. By the end of the program, you will create a book-length manuscript of publishable poetry.
Quick facts
Develop your critical engagement with poetry
Prepare a publishable body of work
Cultivate connections with peers and faculty
Adapt your learning experience to your schedule
MFA in Creative Writing grad says Carlow helped her confidence
“The experience has sharpened my perspective, not just in the written expression but also in my perspective on life and the realization of the power of my voice to function as a transformative force for change.”
— Sheila Carter-Jones, MFA ’22
Career opportunities for Poetry
With your master’s in Poetry, you will be well equipped to work as a creative writing professor or become a published poet.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for poets is slated to decline 2% over the next 10 years, but many poets go on to publish their work in literary magazines and other outlets.
MFA Mentors
Our American and Irish Mentors
Award-winning American and Irish writers mentor students in Carlow’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing Program with residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin. Our MFA mentors are dedicated teachers and writers whose work has been recognized in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Within an inclusive, supportive community, our mentors are committed to helping each student achieve their full writing potential.
Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
Two essays: Self-assessment of your writing ability and a critical response to a substantive piece of literature
10 poems you authored
Current resume or curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Spring & Summer
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.
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.
Be a part of the Carlow Community
Creative writing graduate student Phillip Border ’22 said he’s amazed by the program’s ability to maintain such a strong sense of community despite many challenges. “Every member of the poetry, fiction and CNF programs all feel like extended family members to me. They are always checking up on me to see what’s new with my writing and to keep up on all of my forthcoming publications.
Elevate your clinical experience. Become a physician assistant.
Carlow University offers a new and innovative cohort-based physician assistant program. Accelerate your learning with this 25-month program designed to build upon your prior healthcare experience and the clinical skills you already have. There’s nothing like being in a holistic and supportive academic environment that provides personalized attention in the classroom and lab. Our program ensures that clinical application is a big part of your transformational educational experience. 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
Start your application today! To get started, view or download our admissions policy for detailed admission requirements and application process (not all documents are necessary to start your application).
If you have any questions throughout the process or need guidance, our PA enrollment counselor, Kate Throckmorton, is here to help. You can reach her by email: kjthrockmorton@carlow.edu.
Final Deadline
Apr. 1
Priority Deadline
Oct. 1
Black smiling male doctor look in camera in front of patient lying in bed and communicating with therapeutist. Surgeon or traumatologist, physical test, excellent education, polite personnel concept
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.
Curricular phases
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 one additional rotation
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
Destiny Ray, a family nurse practitioner graduate student, demonstrates suturing during a lab class in Curran Hall, Wednesday, November 17, 2021. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)
Rotation disciplines
Family medicine
Internal medicine
Emergency medicine
Surgery
Behavioral medicine
Women’s health
Pediatrics
One additional rotation
What is a Physician Assistant?
“Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as the patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving health care access and quality.” American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
A career as a Physician Assistant provides one of the most versatile and flexible opportunities in healthcare, with the ability to work in any medical or surgical specialty or sub-specialty. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PA jobs are projected to rise 30% through 2028 with a median pay of $112,260.
A number of state and national organizations provide PAs with advocacy, education, and support including:
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.
At its September 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Carlow University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Carlow University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2026.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC- PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation – Provisional or Accreditation – Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The College of Health and Wellness and Carlow University fully support the Physician Assistant Program and are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). We remain committed to student success and delivering a high-quality program.
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:
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Education
Nursing
Physician Assistant
Respiratory care therapy
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.
Credits required:
60 credits
Cost per credit:
$998*/credit
Time to degree:
5 semesters
Delivery:
On campus
*Additional University Fees as well as software and textbook costs are not included in the 2025-2026 scheduled credit cost and fees
Voice & Aerodigestive Disorders Specialization
The new specialization track within the Master’s in SLP program at Carlow University offers advanced training in voice, head and neck cancer, breathing disorders, and swallowing assessment (FEES). This pathway is designed for students pursuing medical SLP careers and seeking a competitive edge for externships and clinical fellowships.
For more information, contact Jackie Gartner-Schmidt at Carlow University at jlgartner-schmidt@carlow.edu.
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:
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.
Career Opportunity for Speech-Language Pathologists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for speech-language pathologists, a job that often requires a master’s degree, is expected to grow 29% over the next 10 years, largely driven by the medical needs of an aging population.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
As of July 15, 2025, Carlow University is accepting applications for review for Fall 2026 matriculation. All applications should be submitted and verified on or before February 1, 2026 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.
Application Open: March 15 Applications Closes: May 1 Interview Invitations: May 1-May 14 Decisions: May 15 Amount: $10,000 tuition remission
Two (2) graduate assistantships are offered through the Department of Speech-Language Pathology.
Each graduate assistantship is for a 1-year appointment (Fall and Spring semesters).
Students are required to work 5 hours per week for 16 weeks in the Fall semester and 16 weeks in the Spring semester.
Each assistantship provides $10,000 tuition remission for the appointed year.
Any student accepted into the Carlow M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Program may apply for one of the assistantships.
The primary activities for this position are to support faculty members with research activities, provide general support and assistance with administrative type work, and perform duties for special projects and initiatives.
Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald, RSM PhD Speech-Language Pathology Scholarship
The Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald, RSM PhD Speech-Language Pathology Scholarship Fund was created in 2023 in honor of Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald, RSM PhD and her rich legacy at Carlow University. As a Sister of Mercy, Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald joined the Carlow community in 1956. In 1964, she was appointed to be the first Chairperson of Carlow’s Department of Speech Pathology and served until 1989. She had a remarkable career as a speech-language pathologist with numerous awards and honors including one of the highest professional honors, Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has been described as a person of integrity and honesty, who devoted herself to Carlow’s mission. She was an inspiration to all and a pioneer in providing transformational educational opportunities. Any student accepted into the Carlow M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Program is eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Application Open: March 1 Applications Closes: April 15 Decisions: May 1
Carlow University Endowed Scholarships
Carlow University offers a variety of endowed scholarships. These opportunities are available in late Spring and awarded in early summer. Watch your email for more information to come.
Carlow University-Wide Graduate Assistantships
Carlow University offers variable university-wide graduate assistantships. Students will be informed when these opportunities are available.
For more information regarding financial aid, please click here and/or contact your assigned financial aid advisor.
Camree Nelson, a gradate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program, and first-generation college student, on the fourth floor of University Commons, Friday, October 15, 2021. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)
‘This Could Be It’: SLP Alum Paula Schultz on Finding Her Path at Carlow Carlow for unique program
After completing her undergraduate studies, Paula Schultz knew she wanted more than a typical graduate program. She was searching for a place where she could grow personally and professionally; somewhere that valued compassion and connection as much as technical expertise.
At Carlow, she found exactly that. According to Paula, the University’s deep-rooted values and supportive community created an environment where she felt seen and encouraged. Her time at Carlow gave her the confidence to embrace new challenges, the perspective to lead with empathy, and the preparation she needed to begin a meaningful career making a difference in the lives of others.
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Carlow University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Carlow University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Jackie smith at jmsmith@carlow.edu or 412-578-6050.
