Expand your career opportunities with a healthcare management degree

Our healthcare management degree provides the educational and business background necessary to pursue a career in a variety of healthcare positions including healthcare advocacy, long-term care, healthcare institutions, insurance or physicians’ practice.

Three students look at a computer screen. One is pointing. They are all smiling.
Happy smiling african doctor looking at camera in medical office. Portrait of black man doctor working on laptop in modern hospital. Confident and reliable mature nurse using computer to analyze medical report of patient.
Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Up to 90 credits

Healthcare Management curriculum

The Healthcare Management major curriculum focuses on healthcare finance, services, and data analytics. In consultation with your advisor, you may construct your major (add biology or chemistry and 6 electives) to help accomplish your healthcare career goals.

Quick facts

  • Take advantage of Carlow’s location and medical resources
  • Explore healthcare data analytics as part of your core classes
  • Get a jump start on master’s in Fraud and Forensics or Business Administration
Healthcare manager overlooking paperwork with nurse and doctor staff
Doctor consulting her female patient. Patient and doctor sitting in office. Diagnostic, prevention of women diseases, healthcare, medical service, consultation or education, healthy lifestyle concept

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 toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Career opportunities for Healthcare Management

According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, employment for medical and health services managers is expected to increase by 32%.


Admission requirements & application process

  • 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

anytime

Start terms

Fall, Spring & Summer

Healthcare Management faculty

Contact Admissions

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

Earn a public health degree and make an immediate impact

Help solve a global pandemic, like COVID-19, or promote health justice in your community by earning a degree in Public Health. Carlow University’s bachelor’s in Public Health is designed to equip you with the essential healthcare, business and leadership skills necessary to enter into the rapidly-growing, in-demand public health workforce or pursue graduate studies.

As a public health major, you may choose to focus your studies on community health, epidemiology, public health policy, occupational therapy or physical therapy.

Quick facts

  • Learn alongside multiple healthcare disciplines
  • Choose the area of focus that makes sense for you
  • Graduate career-ready into a rapidly growing, in-demand field of public health
A group of public health employees sit at a table. They are in mid discussion.
Medical team sitting and discussing at the table in the office.
Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Individually evaluated

Public Health major curriculum

Our public health curriculum has been designed to address the current needs of public health organizations with a focus on social and health justice, epidemiologic identification of disparities, and implementation of social, health and political solutions.

10:1

student to faculty ratio

Choose an area of focus

The curriculum has enough flexibility to allow you to customize your studies to fit your career or academic goals.

Community Health

Focus on historical and ongoing development of social policies, support services and health disparities in America’s society.  

Epidemiology

Study the patterns and causes of health-related events in specified populations through a scientific, systematic and data-driven lens.

Public Health Policy

Build essential political and healthcare management skills as you examine laws and public policies that have been constructed to address issues surrounding healthcare, race, gender and immigration.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Build a comprehensive, foundation in anatomy, physiology and psychology to prepare you for your studies to become an occupational therapist.   

Pre-Physical Therapy

Build a foundation in anatomy, physiology, chemistry and physics to prepare you for your studies to become a physical therapist.

General

Choose your courses across multiple areas of focus to develop a unique academic path right for you.   

Not sure which area of focus is right for you? ▸ Compare the tracks

Experiential and interdisciplinary learning (interprofessional education, real-world problem analysis, field placement/capstone project) are built into the public health major curriculum according to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) guidelines.

Field placement locations include: Allegheny County Health Department, Veteran’s Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Health, U.S. Department of Health, and various local, state and federal social services organizations.

Career opportunities for Public Health Majors

The pandemic has emphasized the need for public health services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health jobs are projected to increase 32%.

You will be prepared to pursue a career in public health departments and healthcare systems (regionally, nationally and globally). Job titles include Healthcare Administrator, Social/Human Service Assistant, Client Manager and Care Coordinator.

Admission requirements and application process

  • 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

anytime

Start terms

Fall, Spring & Summer

Public Health faculty

Contact Admissions

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

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.

Get started today!

Tuition Lock Icon
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).
Bridge illustration diagramming occupational therapy's curriculum
one happy confident young Chinese college student in campus

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]


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

Erin Phillips
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

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

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

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/

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]

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
Bridge illustration diagramming occupational therapy's curriculum
one happy confident young Chinese college student in campus

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

Erin Phillips
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

Program Director Erin Phillips

Occupational Therapy faculty

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/

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.


As a reading specialist, you can help students identify their reading difficulties and develop methods to overcome those struggles by providing remedial instructions. The Graduate Certificate in Reading Specialist prepares you to teach reading programs at various educational levels.

A Carlow students smiles at the camera during class. She is surrounded by other classmates.
Credits required:

25 credits

Cost per credit:

$600/credit

Time to completion:

As few as 12 months

Delivery:

Online
In-Person Practicum

Interested in pursuing a a graduate certificate in Reading Specialist with an embedded Dyslexia Certificate from Carlow University? 

Carlow Univeristy is a LEADER in the field of evidenced-aligned reading instruction. Carlow Reading Specialist candidates learn how to deliver systematic, explicit, multi-modal, diagnostic and intensive instruction. 

At Carlow University, our Reading Specialist program is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). We are in an elite crowd, as one of only a small number of universities nationwide with IDA accreditation! Best of all, Carlow’s Reading Specialist certificate program is available online, with class meeting times occurring synchronously (virtually) and asynchronously. 

At Carlow all of our coursework is aligned to IDA and Structured Literacy, and we are proud to have been awarded IDA accreditation for our MEd in Reading Specialist program! 

Unique options exist, that meet various needs: 

1.  Four Course Dyslexia Certificate, 12 credits 

  • READ 721 Dyslexia and Structured Literacy 
  • READ722 Critical Components of Phonological Awareness 
  • READ723 Structures of Language & Linguistics I 
  • READ 724 Data Integration and Instruction 

2.  Reading Specialist Certificate, 25 credits 

The four courses in the Dyslexia Certificate, plus: 

  • READ 725 Teachers as Writers 
  • READ 726 Critical Analysis of Text 
  • SE 711 Disciplinary and Digital Literacy 
  • READ 729 Structures of Language & Linguistics II 
  • READ 740 Evaluating Literacy Curriculum 

3.  MEd in Reading Specialist, 31 credits 

All courses in the Dyslexia Certificate and the Reading Specialist Certificate, plus: 

  • READ 727 Adolescent and Adult Literacy 
  • ED 731 Creative Inquiry 

International Dyslexia Association’s Accredited Universities 

Center for Effective Reading Instruction, Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist 

Quick facts

  • International Dyslexia Association, IDA Accredited 
  • Practioner oriented equipping teachers of reading and writing with Structured Literacy and evidenced-aligned teaching practices 
  • Faculty instructors who serve as national LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) trainers, Certified Orton-Gillingham Fellows, and literacy leaders and practitioners in the field 
  • Connected to Carlow’s Campus Laboratory School where Reading Specialist candidates have the unique opportunity of working directly with students with dyslexia in the school’s multi-sensory learning lab 
  • Partnerships with regional schools that enhance professional development 
  • No student teaching required 
  • Approved provider for the federal TEACH Grant 
In a library, a young boy is tutored by a teacher. He is holding a pencil over a book. They are talking.
Hispanic Young Boy and Famle Adult Studying At Library.

Career opportunities for reading specialists

Highly qualified Reading Specialists who possess a deep knowledge in the body of research known as the Science of Reading are in high demand. As NAEP, National Assessment of Educational Progress continues to report, nearly two-thirds of our nation’s 4th and 8th graders are reading below proficiency. Teacher knowledge is key in resolving this literacy crisis. Carlow’s rigorous coursework equips literacy practitioners with the essential knowledge and critical skills needed to support students, systems, and stakeholders in closing literacy achievment gaps for students across our county. 

Work as a Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, Interventionist, Consultant, Specialized Dyslexia Tutor, or Independent Literacy Contractor in a variety of settings!


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 that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall and 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. No prerequisites or teacher licensure are required for this degree and certification.

If you are interested in this graduate certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps.

Follow us and stay up-to-date on events and opportunities to learn more about our program and faculty.

“Carlow’s Dyslexia Certificate is exceptional! The knowledge gained throughout my experience has helped me to better support and understand evidence based practices that are beneficial for all students and vital for students with dyslexia. In addition to the coursework and learning, I found valuable relationships in the Carlow faculty! The professors were excellent in their knowledge base, course structures, and accessibility. Knowing that all our students deserve instruction rooted in what the collective science says about how the brain learns to read, working through Carlow’s Dyslexia Certificate program was a must for me!”

-Tanya Lewis is a principal in the Butler Area School District, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Carlow’s Educational Leadership Program and Dylslexia Teaching Certificate track 

“I recently completed the accelerated, one-year MEd Reading Specialist and Dyslexia Certification program at Carlow University.  I was initially attracted to Carlow because of the IDA accreditation, course offerings, and virtual instruction.  Each course in the MEd Reading Specialist program and accompanying texts expanded my knowledge of reading science and structured literacy. The practicum experiences allowed me to put my new learning into practice.  My fondest memories of Carlow are the classes taught by enthusiastic, expert instructors in the field of literacy. I am proud to be a Carlow graduate, reading specialist, and a CERI Certified Structured Literacy Interventionist!”

-Laurie Gibbons is a Reading Specialist in Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland and a graduate of Carlow’s MEd in Reading Specialist Program with embedded Dyslexia Certificate  

“I highly recommend Carlow University’s MEd Reading Specialist program to anyone who is looking to expand their knowledge of evidence-based reading instruction and structured literacy. The professors are knowledgeable educators who have a wealth of experience in the field of education. The coursework helped me dive deeper into how children learn to read, the difficulties they may experience, and how to facilitate learning for students who struggle with reading. The embedded practicum allowed me to use the skills I was learning and provided opportunities for feedback and discussion with my professors and peers.”

-Sarah Seyler is a Reading Coach in Sussex County Public Schools, Virginia and a graduate of Carlow’s MEd in Reading Specialist Program with embedded Dyslexia Certificate 

“My courses in the Reading Specialist program at Carlow have been career-changing. I have been an elementary teacher for 17 years and have learned more about teaching reading in courses I’ve taken than I have in my previous combined eight years of higher education. Already having an MEd, obtaining another was not my original plan. Being introduced to the Science of Reading and getting a taste of the research changed my mind. I want to keep learning and growing as a teacher and soak up as much knowledge as I can from the amazing professors and education department at Carlow.” 

-Samantha Buterbaugh is a teacher in South Butler County School District, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Carlow’s MEd in Reading Specialist Program with embedded Dyslexia Certificate 

Enter the workforce ready to make a change

Studies in the area of Restorative Justice will provide you with a foundational focus in addressing community-based issues pertaining to inequities in the justice system. You will also be introduced to alternate methods for addressing crime-related issues beyond the typical incarceration models most often employed by the United States.

You will be encouraged to consider how race and class affect interactions with the police and court systems. This concentration provides a solid foundation of theory, policy and research to help students become active change agents as they enter the workforce

A student gazes out of a window at sunset. The reflection show in the glass behind her.
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.
Degree:

BSW

Delivery:

On campus & online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Up to 90 credits

Restorative Justice concentration curriculum

Students are required to complete the Restorative Justice sequence — Communities, Organizations in Praxis and Race, Class and Justice, as well as two courses from the following:Violence and Victims of Crime, Crime and Mental Health, Prison and Society and/or Juvenile Delinquency. Prior to taking these courses, students must complete Introduction to Social Work and Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Quick Facts

  • Students are required to satisfy the requirements for the Social Work or Criminology major
  • Concentration requires 12 credits, not including prerequisites
  • A minimum of six credits of the selected Restorative Justice courses must be taken at Carlow University

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.

Career opportunities for Restorative Justice graduates

Restorative justice provides social workers with a framework and set of practices to repair or produce resolution, to the extent possible in individual, family, community situations that may or may not involve the criminal justice system. At the macro or societal level, social workers advocate for social justice policy as well as provide resources for disenfranchised members of society.

Social workers may be working with individuals victimized by a crime or individuals court-ordered to treatment because of offending behaviors. Applications of restorative justice may be used by social workers within the criminal justice system such as in jails or prisons; or re-entry initiatives for incarcerated individuals; or within the child welfare system in cases of child abuse and neglect; or in educational settings where restorative practices are used by school social workers to build community and respond to conflict.


Sitting at a table, a hand is holding a pen over accreditation papers.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. CSWE administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and reviews. Carlow University’s next accreditation visit will be in 2028.

View or download the following for more information:

Admission requirements and application process

  • 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

anytime

Start terms

Fall, Spring & Summer

Social Work faculty

Contact Admissions

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

Carlow University’s Special Education program at the graduate level prepares teachers to meet the needs of children with a wide variety of mental, physical, social, emotional and behavioral disabilities in multiple settings. You will learn to adapt general education lessons and prepare specifically designed instruction to effectively teach students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities including intellectual disabilities, other health impaired, phsycial disabilities, emotional disorders, and specific language disabilities.  You will learn about adaptive and assistive technology, positive behavior inteventions, autism, and dyslexia supports.   

This certificate program and resulting PreK-12 special education certification can be added to an existing PA teaching license, or it can be completed by those individuals with no previous teaching experience or licensure.

A Carlow students smiles at the camera during class. She is surrounded by other classmates.
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.
Credits required:

26 credits

Delivery:

$600/credit

Time to completion:

As few as 18 months

Delivery:

Online
Student Teaching In-Person 

26 credits for those with an existing general teaching license. Additional courses are required for initial teacher certification in PA.

You will experience an accelerated program with eight-week online courses .The graduate Special Education program includes 23 credit hours of coursework focusing on the practical application of research-based special education theoretical constructs and methodology and 3 credits of student teaching.  Coursework includes methods in mild/moderate disabilities, methods in severe and profound, adaptive and assistive technology, dyslexia, and positive behavioral supports.   

Additional coursework is required for those seeking initial teacher certification in PA.   

Quick facts

  • Emphasizes meeting needs of students with a wide range of disabilities and positive behavior support 
  • Specialized training in Dyslexia 
  • Latest special education technology 
  • Approved provider for the federal TEACH Grant 
Male teacher works with elementary school kids at their desk

Career opportunities for special education teachers

Most special education teachers work in public schools, teaching students at the preschool, elementary, middle and high school levels. Others work in private schools, child care services and other institutions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029. Demand for special education services and teachers should rise as disabilities are being identified earlier and as children with disabilities are enrolled into special education programs.

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 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. No prerequisites or teacher licensure are required for this degree and certification.

Jennifer Do testimonial for Carlow University. She is sitting outside.
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

Expand your knowledge

Carlow made life easy for Jennifer Do, MEd as she earned a master’s and then a graduate certificate in special education while maintaining her full-time job. “I needed them to understand I worked in the field already, that I had years of experience, and that I wanted to learn more. They challenged me and made me think about the world around me. They helped me to grow into a leadership position. Carlow fit into my life, and to this day I still reach out to the staff.”

If you are interested in this graduate certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps.

Follow us and stay up-to-date on events and opportunities to learn more about our program and faculty.

Carlow’s Master of Education in Special Education will give you a more thorough understanding of how students with special needs learn and what you can do to make sure each child reaches his or her potential. You’ll be an advocate for students and their families and assist parents finding their way around educational and health care systems.

Special Education Certification for Pre-K-12 is available as a stand-alone initial teaching certification or as an add-on to an existing teaching certificate. The program prepares you to meet the needs of children with a wide variety of mental, physical, social, emotional and behavioral disabilities in diverse settings. 

Teacher Helping Pupils Studying At Desks In Classroom
Credits required: 

30-51 credits

Cost per credit:

$600/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 18 months

Delivery: 

Online
In-Person Student Teaching 

Special Education degree courses focus on positive behavior support, disciplinary and digital literacy, and early intervention. The program culminates in student teaching. Study abroad options are available in Ireland and Nicaragua.  

Students who have an existing teaching certification can complete this program with 30 credits. Students who also need initial teaching certification can complete this program with 51 credits.

Quick facts

  • Gain integrated practicum experiences 
  • Develop strong background in structured literacy and dyslexia 
  • Certification covers all areas of mild, moderate, and severe disabilities 
  • Learn and grow from full-time faculty in the department with vast experiences in special education 
At school – beautiful teacher helps her student to learn

Certificate options

Add-on certificate

If you already have a teaching license, you can earn this MEd under our add-on certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the add-on certificate option.

Graduate Certificate in Special Education (PreK-12)

This program is available as a graduate certificate which leads to an endorsement from PDE for already licensed teachers.

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.

Career opportunities for MEd in Special Education

Employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for special education services and teachers should rise as disabilities are being identified earlier and as children with disabilities are enrolled into special education programs.


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."

Testimonials #1

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 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. No prerequisites or teacher licensure required for this degree and certification

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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.

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