Degree programs in our blended department feature hands-on exploration in the various disciplines of the chemical sciences as well as a uniquely balanced computer science major that has been endorsed and supported by Google. 

Our department blends aspects of our major programs to create unique opportunities for minor programs that enhance and highlight various aspects of each degree program. 

Outside of the classroom, students can interact one-on-one with our professional faculty in a mentored research project or participate in various mentoring opportunities. Engagement with student organizations, professional tutors, and industry mentors can offer opportunities for enriching social engagement and professional development. 

Chemical experimentation and computer programming are both high-touch disciplines that help you develop critical skills like analytical problem solving and the ability to work effectively with a team. A degree in chemistry or computer science will give you the credentials you need to move forward in today’s technology-heavy world. Our graduates have found employment in major industries and have been accepted to graduate and professional programs at some of the top research institutions across the U.S. Study the computational and chemical sciences and join our growing list of highly successful alumni. 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Computer Science is for everyone.

We offer the opportunity for all students to participate in a unique industry mentorship program with Google Pittsburgh.

Our chemistry degree provides a foundation for your future career in medicine, pharmacy, or education through programs like Early Acceptance into Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) Program, Pre-Pharmacy Program with Duquesne University’s Mylan School of Pharmacy, and Chemistry Secondary Education.

All STEM students are welcome to join our award-winning American Chemical Society (ACS) Student Affiliates Chapter.

Use your STEM education to gain hands-on work experience in our science labs while supplementing your financial aid.

Enjoy networking and individualized mentoring and coaching through our Celtic STEM Student Learning Community.

We support students outside the classroom with our peer and professional tutoring staff for major STEM courses.

14/30

of Glassdoor’s most satisfying jobs are based on computational and chemical sciences.

43%

of jobs in STEM cannot be filled due to skills gaps, primarily in chemistry and computer science.  

$80,000

average salary for computational or chemical scientists in PA, and recent unemployment rates for chemists fell to the lowest level ever recorded (0.6%).

Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff are devoted to supporting and preparing the next generations of chemists and computer scientists. Our hands-on, student-centered approach to teaching and learning provides a unique, supportive environment to foster growth in all students in our programs.

Ericka Mochan, PhD Program Director and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics; Chair of Department of Computational and Chemical Sciences

Beth A. Zamboni, PhD Professor, Mathematics; Director, Carlow Honors Program; Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement for College of Arts & Sciences

  • November 2023: The Computer Science program kicks off the Carlow-Google Mentorship program, a program unique to Carlow in which students are matched with Googlers as industry mentors.
  • October 2023: The Carlow chapter of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates (ACS-SA) are nationally recognized with a Commendable status for their inclusive and educational on- and off-campus activities.
  • August 2023: The Google-endorsed Computer Science major program officially launched.
  • May 2023: Dr. Ericka Mochan of the Computer Science program was awarded the Max and Esther Sestili Award for Excellence in Teaching.
  • April 2023: Dr. Allison Rice of the Chemistry program was awarded a $5000 grant from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) under their annual College Equipment Grants program.
  • February 2021: The National Science Foundation awards the department $649,826 to fund STEM student scholarships in an S-STEM grant titled “Supporting Undergraduate STEM Graduation and Career Pathways Through Student and Faculty Learning Communities” (PI: Dr. David Gallaher).
  • August 2020: Dr. Ericka Mochan of the Computer Science program was awarded $4960 in the Dorothy Weber Cochran ’43 Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship and Research.
  • April 2020: Dr. David Gallaher of the Chemistry program was awarded a $6000 grant from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) under their annual College Equipment Grants program.

The Carlow Difference is student focused, interprofessional, and service driven. We host small class sizes, in face to face, hands-on learning. The OT curriculum design, aligned with Catholic intellectual tradition and Mercy values, has an overarching mission of occupational justice, a foundation in health and wellbeing, and threads that support the structure and the path to transformational learning. 

The bridge image conveys a journey of overcoming barriers to promote full participation and represents a path where one moves from old self to new self, writing the next chapter in the story of life. It is critical that students bridge classroom concepts to clinical practice and Mercy values to their civic engagement as socially responsible citizens. Our program is alive with transformative learning experiences in the “City of Bridges” as we explore the world around us and seek to be innovative pathfinders for occupational justice, access, and opportunity for all people, communities, and populations.

Faculty and Staff

Our faculty are devoted to the health and wellbeing of each student. We are intentional about ensuring the development of healthy occupations during graduate school, in order to create a healthy and sustainable career in healthcare. Our faculty are student-focused and develop instructional design practices that celebrate the diversity of learning styles, supporting the gifts and talents of each student. As faculty we recognize that our students are the future of the OT profession, and our connection is just beginning. We are all part of the Carlow family from the classroom to your first job and beyond!

Ericka Mochan, PhD Program Director and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics; Chair of Department of Computational and Chemical Sciences

Beth A. Zamboni, PhD Professor, Mathematics; Director, Carlow Honors Program; Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement for College of Arts & Sciences

Accredited Entry-Level Doctoral degree level Occupational Therapy Program

The Carlow University entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program and entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program are FULLY accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

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.


  • Elizabeth Sherman:
    • Accepted to the National Intergroup Dialogue Institute – June 2024 at University of Michigan
    • Carlow Cares: Sligo, Ireland faculty advisor
    • Planning Committee Member for the Inaugural Greater Pittsburgh Food Systems Summit organized by the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council – Food Systems Summit — Pittsburgh Food Policy Council
  • Erin Phillips:
    • Outstanding Alumni Award for 2024; Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy
  • Blythe Westendorf:
    • Completed the AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics

We are preparing ethical, competent professionals seeking a more just and merciful world. We are preparing leaders committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals, their families, their communities, and societies here and abroad. At Carlow, we care about teaching. We are devoted to our students and their futures as social workers. You will never be a number here.  Your faculty members are experienced social workers who know your name. You will receive hands-on experience in class and in professionally supervised internships. You will be prepared to be a culturally humble social worker, ready to work with diverse populations and seek social justice.

Carlow’s social work programs provide high quality, flexible pathways to a promising career in the growing field of social work. Our BSW program offers on-campus and online options to pursue the BSW, with multiple concentrations in health care social work, forensic social work, crisis and trauma, and restorative justice. Our trauma informed MSW program offers an online program option as well as an in-person/hybrid option enabling students to take a select number of courses in a traditional classroom on Carlow’s main campus while the others are taken online. The MSW Program offers three specializations: direct practice, macro practice, and school social work.

Interdisciplinary BSW concentrations in health care social work, forensic social work, crisis and trauma, and restorative justice.

Carlow Community Scholars program focused on supporting college success among former foster youths and/or homeless youths


Interdisciplinary BSW concentration in health care linked to placement opportunities at UPMC hospitals

Federally funded School-based Mental Health Training Program which provides paid placements for MSW students in the School Social Work track and offers a pathway for those with an MSW to obtain their School Social Work certification

Federally funded interdisciplinary CURE grant providing financial stipends for MSW student field placements in behavioral health in urban and rural underserved areas

$270,000

in CURE funding awarded over 3 years to MSW students.

$766,149

in MSW student support to be awarded over 5 years from the School-based Mental Health Training Program.

200+

approved field sites for social work internships.

Faculty & staff

Our social work programs are supported by experienced social work educators and staff members who are devoted to our students and their futures. They are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment and flexible pathways for student success.

Ericka Mochan, PhD Program Director and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics; Chair of Department of Computational and Chemical Sciences

Beth A. Zamboni, PhD Professor, Mathematics; Director, Carlow Honors Program; Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement for College of Arts & Sciences

The programs in the department of social work are accredited nationally by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE. Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the appropriate social work licenses at the baccalaureate and master’s levels. The state of Pennsylvania has a title protection law. Only social workers with CSWE accredited degrees can carry the job title of “social worker.”

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

Start Our faculty members demonstrate their social work values in the classroom and in the world outside the University. Carlow social work faculty are actively engaged in diverse university coalitions and efforts to address community problems. Their work is focused on aging, Appalachian community development, childhood trauma, diversity, environmental issues, equity and inclusion, ethics in health care, prison re-entry, SUD recovery to workforce initiatives, veterans and military social welfare, and more.

They are also actively pursuing scholarly work in their areas of expertise, presenting at national conferences and publishing peer-reviewed work. They have collaborated with others to bring in grants worth over 7 million dollars in recent years.

In honoring the Mercy tradition of Carlow University, the Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics empowers students to be competent, critical, and responsive stewards of disciplinary degree knowledge. We provide students with the knowledge to make meaningful, ethical contributions to their professions and the community for a just and merciful world.

The Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics works collaboratively with industry, government, and non-profit organizations to enhance the student experience from outside of the classroom to the workplace. All undergraduate majors are required to complete an internship as a graduation requirement.

Carlow purposefully offers programs devoted to the unique needs of today’s diverse student populations. Program options include Business Management, Human Resource, Esports Business Management, and the MBA options. Students can easily complete a double-major or major-minor(s) within our department. 

Carlow has one of the few Esports Business Management bachelor’s degree programs in the area. We have a new state-of-the-art Esports Lab that is utilized for classes and the Esports team.

Faculty & staff

Our faculty are devoted to fostering an environment of analysis and application of skills for students. We prepare our graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to help make their workplace an environment that contributes to creating a more just and merciful world.

Ericka Mochan, PhD Program Director and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics; Chair of Department of Computational and Chemical Sciences

Beth A. Zamboni, PhD Professor, Mathematics; Director, Carlow Honors Program; Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement for College of Arts & Sciences

The BSM, HR, and MBA Programs are accredited by IACBE. The Esports Business Management major will be accredited within the next year.

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

  • We have a new state-of-the-art Esports Lab that supports the Esports Business Management major and team.
  • Carlow MBA students who specialize in Human Resource Management and Project Management are prepared to sit for the nationally recognized Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) exams.

Business analytics is the practice of improving business decisions through the use of data analysis and statistics. In this 19-credit minor, students will learn basic business management and finance principles, as well as data analysis and visualization. Students will also select one programming elective in a language of their choice (Python, R, or SQL). At least 9 credits of the minor must be completed at Carlow. 

You will complete 5 required courses in business management and data analytics, and one elective course in a programming language of your choice.

Required Courses include:

  • Introduction to Data Analytics 
  • Data Visualization 
  • Introduction to Business Management 
  • Principles of Finance 
  • Basic Applied Statistics 
  • Calculus I or Applied Calculus 
  • Programming elective: Programming for Everyone I, Database Management Systems, or Introduction to R 

When someone is struggling to breathe, taking steps to ease that struggle is the job of the respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapists provide care to patients who are experiencing difficulty breathing due to chronic respiratory diseases, heart failure, or other emergencies. They improve the care of patients at all stages of life, from premature infants whose lungs have not fully developed, to older adults.  

Carlow University is devoted to the future of healing, and service to others is the foundation of the Respiratory Care profession.  And with respiratory therapists in high demand, we offer programs that can get students working in the field quicker. The associate degree program is a gateway to a healthcare career, and students can be working in the field within two years. The three-year accelerated bachelor’s degree program is designed for those seeking leadership roles in the respiratory care field. Both degrees can be pathways to advanced degrees. 

Degree:
  • Associate of Science Degree
  • 3-Year Accelerated Bachelor of Science
Credits Required:
  • AS – 69 credits
  • BS – 120 credits
Campus:

Oakland

Delivery:

In person

The core curriculum for respiratory therapy is comprised of:
• Equipment I & II
• Patient Management
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Mechanical Ventilation I & II
• Neonatal and Pediatrics

The bachelor’s degree program includes additional courses in:
• Research
• Leadership & Management
• Respiratory Care Education.

There are also four clinical practicums, totaling 840 hours in general floor, ICU, and specialty rotations through the pulmonary function lab, the sleep lab, hyperbaric oxygen, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and neonatal and pediatrics.

  • Respiratory therapists can work in hospital emergency departments, ICUs, or general floors.
  • They can care for patients in any age range – from newborns and children through elderly adults.
  • They may work in such varied areas as ambulance and air transport, physician offices, diagnostic labs, or home care. 
  • Respiratory therapist is ranked #9 in best healthcare jobs.
  • Changes in the roles and responsibilities of respiratory therapists are on the horizon, and pursuing an advanced degree is encouraged.

Career Opportunities for Respiratory Therapy

Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent through 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

The median RT income is $77,960 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). 

Not only are the opportunities for RTs in the hospital setting multiple and varied, but there is job security, a sustainable living wage, and the opportunity to pursue growth within the healthcare industry. 

Carlow’s partnership with UPMC affords students a number of potential benefits, such as tuition assistance and flexible part-time work while enrolled in school. Visit UPMC Careers for more information. 

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program 

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC program number 200617, BS degree, Pittsburgh, PA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). 

Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program 

The Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC program number 210617, AS degree, Pittsburgh, PA holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation. 

Visit CoARC website

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

View CoARC outcomes

Program goal for the AS program:

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists.

Program goals for the BS program:

1. To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists.

2. To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objectives related to the acquisition of skills in management, education, research, and evidence-based practice.

Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.

Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.

  • AS degree cost of attendance is $450/credit
  • Program scholarships are available for Fall 2025 for new BS and AS students

First-time, first-year undergraduate student:

  • Minimum 2.000 cumulative High School GPA
  • Minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA in science courses

Transfer student

  • Minimum 2.000 cumulative college GPA
  • Minimum 2.500 cumulative college GPA in science courses
Apply:

Any time

Start Terms:

Fall Only

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.

At Carlow, we strive to develop ethical leaders who will take compassion, mercy, and a passion for inclusivity and fairness into their classrooms. That’s why our secondary education program is designed for those who are devoted to discovering how to make a difference in the lives of their future students.

With a degree in secondary education, you can teach biology, chemistry, mathematics, social studies, or English to students in grades 7-12. After completing the program, you will have the skills needed to educate and guide your students in a safe and unbiased learning environment.

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

Credits Required:

128 credit hours in the major

Campus:

Oakland

Delivery:

On campus

Secondary Education Alum teaching a class full of students

The number of courses in this major will vary depending on the content area for each student. Students are required to choose an area of focus from biology, chemistry, mathematics, social studies, and English. In addition to classroom work, field work and student teaching are a requirement of this major. Carlow will connect students with opportunities for both field work and student teaching. Students will be prepared to be just, merciful, and culturally responsive educators.

  • This program is rooted in the values of the Sisters of Mercy to prepare just and merciful educators who are committed to inclusivity and who are able to adapt to cultural differences.
  • Through field experience, students will be well-prepared to become ethical leading educators in our region’s schools.
  • Carlow University has partnerships with area school districts for field work, student teaching, and the residency program.
  • This program prepares students for Pennsylvania Department of Education teaching certification.
  • Opportunities for field work and student teaching can be done on campus at the Carlow University Laboratory School.

Career Opportunities

In response to a secondary education teacher shortage in Pennsylvania and across the nation, Carlow University will offer a new secondary education major for students interested in teaching biology, chemistry, mathematics, social studies, and English to children and adolescents in grades 7-12.


Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.

Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.

Apply:

Any time

Start Terms:

Fall and Spring

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.

Nearly 15% of public education students have special needs. And they need teachers devoted to making a positive impact on their education and their future success.

Bachelor of Arts in Special Education: Woman reading piece of paper
Degree:

BA in Special Education

Delivery

On-Campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer Credits:

Up to 90 credits

Carlow’s special education degree majors will embody the spirit of mercy while learning how to create effective and appropriate teaching strategies for various mental, physical, social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities in a variety of diverse settings—all the while helping to create an environment where special needs students feel safe, respected, and valued.

  • There are 39 total courses (29 major courses and 10 Compass Core Courses)
  • Students in this program will be required to complete fieldwork hours embedded within individual courses. Those particular hours will vary depending on the course.
  • Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students in this program must also complete a 12-week student teaching experience.
  • Carlow’s BSPED Certification program provides the necessary coursework required for special education certification in Pennsylvania.(Students must meet additional requirements and apply for certification after graduation.)

BA in Special Education Career Opportunities

Most special education teachers work in public schools, teaching students with various disabilities at the preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels. Graduates can also work in private schools, childcare services, and other institutions. Graduates of the undergraduate special education program may want to pursue a graduate certificate or master’s degree in a related field to reach their career goals or for greater upward mobility.

Carlow University’s education department currently offers a variety of M.Ed. tracks that may interest graduates of the undergraduate program. These include an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, an M.Ed. in Reading Specialist, and an M.Ed in Educational Leadership. Certificate options that may interest students include Dyslexia Teaching and Reading Specialist.

  • Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
  • Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended be sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions
Apply:

Anytime

Start Terms:

Fall, Spring, and Summer

If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.

Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Education Programs

Now more than ever, our nation’s schools need skilled and compassionate educators, curriculum specialists, and instructional leaders.

In Carlow University’s Education programs, you will gain specialized knowledge and hands-on teaching experience. Just as importantly, you will come away with a deeper understanding of how to care for the whole student as an empathetic instructor and mentor.

Carlow purposefully offers programs devoted to the unique needs of today’s diverse student populations. Program options include art education, early childhood development, special education, and secondary education.  Certificate options include dyslexia, online teaching, and autism. Learn firsthand from passionate faculty and recognized experts in the field.

New! Doctorate in Education

Reimagine the future of education

The Campus Lab School provides incredible practicum and field experiences for Education students.
.

It takes one teacher or one principal to change the trajectory of a child’s life. Representation matters.

The Apprenticeship Program is a degree pathway for individuals working in childcare centers devoted to high quality early education.

Education students have the opportunity to join Future Educator’s Club, Best Buddies, or by-invitation, the international honor society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi. 

Our College in High School provides four Education classes during the school year and summer opportunities for those interested in teaching.

We offer special graduate level PD classes for $270.00, and we have a robust Speaker Series available for community organizations and schools. In addition, we offer a virtual Educator Workshop series accessible free of charge to the community. 

$1.2M

in scholarships are awarded every year to graduate and undergraduate students. 

$16M

in grants have been awarded over the last five years to support student learning and advance innovative educational practices.  

800+

educators and community members are provided with professional development trainings and workshops every year.

Newsletter

Learn about Carlow’s personalized education in our quarterly newsletter.

Educator workshops on Eventbrite

Keep up on the latest topics and trends in education with our Carlow Educator Workshops. Led by Carlow School of Education instructors, workshops offer additional learning opportunities to help ready tomorrow’s educators.


Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff are devoted to nurturing and supporting current and future Scholar-Practitioners who are reflective in action, capable of creating and serving in High Performance Learning environments, and who support and respect the dignity and diversity of all learners.

Ericka Mochan, PhD Program Director and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics; Chair of Department of Computational and Chemical Sciences

Beth A. Zamboni, PhD Professor, Mathematics; Director, Carlow Honors Program; Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement for College of Arts & Sciences

Our Education programs are accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, our Reading Specialist Program is accredited by the International Dyslexia Center.

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

  • In June 2023, Carlow University’s Education Department and Campus Laboratory School received a $85,000 grant from a private charitable foundation to continue the legacy of The Campus Lab School’s Founder, Sister Mary Paul Hickey. “The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Professional Educator Development Project,”encompasses an annual Sister Mary Paul Hickey Professional Development Educator Workshop Series; The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Symposium; The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Teacher Research Mini-Grants Project; and graduate scholarship awards to teachers from The Campus Lab School and schools in the Pittsburgh and Greensburg Dioceses. Sister Mary Paul Hickey was the founder of The Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University and served as Principal for more than 40 years. She left a legacy of service, innovation and a deep love for the students and teachers at The Campus Lab School. This grant honors her memory while building on her legacy of excellence in education and support of teacher development.
  • In January 2023, Carlow University’s Department of Education was awarded two workforce diversity grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the amount of $100,000 each. These grants established, “The Innovative Teacher Prep2Practice Program,” and “The Innovative Principal Prep2Practice Program,” for aspiring educators and principals and to support Pennsylvania’s workforce.
  • In September 2022, Carlow’s Department of Education was awarded a $12 million sunsetting grant from a local, anonymous donor. “The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Hub for Early Childhood Education,” was successfully endowed, following a two-year concept testing period that resulted in the receipt of the sunsetting grant. Carlow University is the first, four-year university in Pennsylvania to be designated by the Department of Labor as a four-year early childhood apprenticeship program and its work will continue in perpetuity as a result of this endowment gift.
  • In May 2022, Carlow’s Department of Education was awarded an $808,025 grant from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Professional Development Organization (PASSHE PDO) in support of apprenticeship scholarships, student supports, and professional development opportunities.
  • In December 2021, the Education Department was the recipient of a $109,122 grant from The Peirce Family Foundation in support of “The Peirce Dyslexia Program at Carlow University.” Funding encompasses a 4-week intensive summer structured literacy program, Camp Carlow and after school literacy workshops for children from The Campus Laboratory School and from the West Oakland/Hill District and greater Pittsburgh community.  The program also provides literacy tutoring support for Perry High School students (one of Pittsburgh Public Schools) conducted by graduate students of  Carlow’s four-course dyslexia track, which is embedded in the MEd Reading Specialist Program. 
  • In July 2021, Carlow’s Department of Education was awarded an $80,150 grant from McAuley Ministries for the “Community Literacy Engagement Project (CLEP),” an individualized literacy support, four-week summer program for children from Campus Lab School and the West Oakland/Hill District communities. The grant also supports literacy tutoring in The Campus Lab School’s Dyslexia Center throughout the school year.
  • In July 2021, Carlow University’s Education Department and Campus Laboratory School received a $93,500 grant from a private charitable foundation to establish, “The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Symposium and Teacher Leader Institute.”Components of the project include an annual professional development educator workshop series and symposium, teacher research mini-grants, and scholarship awards to teachers from The Campus Lab School and from schools in the Pittsburgh or Greensburg Diocese. 
  • In June 2021, the Department of Education was the recipient of two separate $225,000 grants to fund the “Power of ONE,” a program aimed at providing teacher certification for educators of color. Funded generously by the McElhattan Foundation and The Grable Foundation, these grants benefit a strategic partnership between the University and partnering school districts. The grants allow Carlow to partner with school districts to diversify Pittsburgh’s teacher pipeline, allowing for a more seamless and supportive degree pathway for initial teacher certification for Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), having a tangible impact on increasing the number of educators of color in school districts where many students identify as Black and multi-racial.
  • In May 2021, Carlow University was awarded $886,892 from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Professional Development Organization Grant (PASSHE PDO) through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning for scholarships and supports for childcare providers who are attending a college or are enrolled in university programs. Supports include textbooks, tutoring support, a full-time workforce coordinator, and an apprenticeship coaching website. Part of the grant will support Carlow’s early childhood apprenticeship program, which helps to improve childcare employee retention, reduce barriers for workforce entry, and increase diversity in teacher candidates.
  • In February 2020, The Heinz Endowments awarded a $1 million grant and a $1 million endowment to support “The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Hub for Early Childhood Education” to improve the quality of early childhood education in Pennsylvania.
  • In September 2019, a local, anonymous foundation awarded two grants totaling $1 million to Carlow’s Department of Education to support a two-year concept testing period for the establishment of, “The Western Pennsylvania Early Childhood Apprenticeship Hub,” the first, four-year early childhood apprenticeship program in the state of Pennsylvania. 

In 78 weeks, graduates of the Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program will be prepared to have unparalleled training and experience to become a valued member of the surgical care team.

Throughout the learning experience, Carlow’s team of dedicated faculty provides a supportive student learning environment and prepares students to take a national certification examination to become a valued member of any surgical care team. Carlow graduates go beyond their technical duties and play an active role in fostering a just and merciful world.

Credits Required:

68

Surgical Cases Completed:

120

Time to Completion:

78-week program

Delivery:

Residential, On Campus

The Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program Outcomes reflect: The Sisters of Mercy Core Values (Carlow University Mission Statement, 2009), and the Association of Surgical Technologist Foundational Principles (1997).

  • Carlow’s Team of dedicated faculty provides a supportive student learning environment.
  • Carlow Surgical Technology graduates are prepared to be compassionate, competent, ethical members of a healthcare team.
  • Pittsburgh Region’s only University-level Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program of its kind.
  • Learn over 30 different surgical procedures from beginning to end.
  • Complete 120 surgical cases in 13 surgical specialty areas.

Career opportunities for Surgical Technologists

Carlow Surgical Technology graduates are trained  to be the best in technical knowledge and competencies, and communication, teamwork, empathy, and compassion. As Carlow graduates they are prepared to create a more just and merciful world. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for positions  as Surgical Technologists within hospital or community-based settings. 


Apply:

Anytime

Start Terms:

Fall and Spring

If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.

Open House Event Registration

Zoom 1.30.25 from 6:30-7:30 pm
https://admissions.carlow.edu/register/?id=c3a9e8ae-f78e-4074-b4b0-e4dbec307407

In-person 2.22.25 from 10-11 am
https://admissions.carlow.edu/register/?id=4be96bd5-e96a-4a0e-8cc5-b555ae34150f

In-person 3.6.25 from 6-7 pm
https://admissions.carlow.edu/register/?id=cb439e04-87ac-473b-bf12-b1d4754688f8

Zoom 4.14.25 from 6:30-7:30 pm
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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.