Find your nursing degree at Carlow

Public Notice of CCNE Re-Accreditation Visit and Invitation for Third-Party Comments

The Carlow University School of Nursing will be hosting an on-site evaluation of the baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)from April 3 to 5, 2024. The purpose of this visit is to achieve re-accreditation of its nursing programs. 

In accordance with CCNE’s procedures, the Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, third-party comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation.  These qualifacitions can be found in the CCNE Standards for Accreditation (2018).

Written third-party comments regarding the Carlow University nursing programs must be received by CCNE 21 days before the scheduled evaluation or no later than March 13, 2024. Only signed comments are accepted by CCNE. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE’s policy on Conduct of Business in English.  CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the visit, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. Please submit comments to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.

Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:

 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
 Attn: Third-Party Comments
 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
 Washington, DC 20001

Become a licensed registered nurse: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Are you ready to make a difference in health care? As a graduate of Carlow’s highly regarded nursing program, you’ll be able to hit the ground running as a nurse, or take your nursing career to the next level. NCLEX pass rates for graduates of our pre-licensure BSN nursing program are among the highest in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Carlow’s urban location offers opportunities for student involvement in many dimensions of health care.

As you progress through the program, you will learn to think clearly and creatively, pursue intellectual endeavors, and respond ethically in a spirit of cultural competence and social justice. The program serves as a basis for graduate study and a foundation for lifelong learning.

BSN nursing curriculum

Carlow’s BSN nursing program requires 120 credits (63 must be completed at Carlow); the curriculum includes general education, supportive sciences, and liberal arts to develop a well-rounded student. You will enroll in the first clinical nursing course the first semester of your sophomore year after successful completion of required support courses. Clinical nursing experience is provided at various health agencies in the area.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX (the national licensure exam for Registered Nursing) and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories, should you wish to further your education in an advanced practice nursing role.

Quick Facts

• Gain hands-on experience in our simulation lab, CSCIL
• Participate in clinical experiences in an intensive care unit 
• Study in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district and benefit from Carlow partnerships with area health care providers
• Prepare for NCLEX success under the guidance of faculty mentors

explore our simulation lab (CSCIL)

Admission requirements and application process

Learn from passionate faculty

Nursing graduate Tayler Godfrey ’18 said her professor’s passion and dedication was a huge plus. “I had the pleasure of taking Microbiology with Dr. Cianciarulo as the professor and continued working with her on student research. She took a great deal of time, while teaching many courses, to help me better understand microbiology and proper research techniques and was always available to students for questions or concerns.”

Student Testimonials

Nursing faculty

Janice Nash, DNP, RN Professor/Chair of the Undergraduate Nursing Department

Ashley Cole, DNP, RN, CCRN Program Director of Undergraduate Nursing & Assistant Professor

Jessica Huber, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Director of Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Wellness

Angela Simmons DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN Founding Director Practical Nurse Program

Teya Kamel RN, MSN, RYT Faculty, Instructor of Nursing & Yoga

Diana Kozlina-Peretic, DNP, CRNP, MSN, RN Interim Dean, College of Health & Wellness

Lisa Spagnolo, MSN, RN Nursing Instructor

Angela Summer, DNP, MPA, RN, CVRN-BC Assistant Professor and Director of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program

Maggie Myers, MSN, RN, CPN Instructor

Erin Welling Instructor

Accelerate your way to a nursing career with an accelerated second degree BSN

You can use your bachelor’s degree from any field to fast track your way into one of the world’s most in-demand professions by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with Carlow’s second degree nursing program.

With this degree in hand, you’ll be sought after by health care entities around the country. Carlow prepares nurses with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Not only is Carlow in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district with close proximity to clinical sites, its strong, reputable nursing program has a high NCLEX pass rate. 

Go for your dream job

The Carlow University Second Degree BSN program gave Matthew McGrogan ’20 the foundation necessary to land his dream job in a cardiovascular ICU.

“This BSN program is perfectly paced because it was created for people who have already earned a degree and are ready to jump right in. I was worried that some classes would feel unnecessary and slow, however, all of the classes we took were fast-paced and gave us the information needed to become well-rounded nurses. The professors took the time to get to know all of us on a one-on-one basis.”

Accelerated Second degree BSN curriculum

Carlow’s second degree BSN curriculum is in an accelerated format over 15 months. The program requires 32 credits of nursing support courses and 63 credits of nursing courses, including theory courses, clinical experiences and NCLEX seminars. As a convenience, some courses are offered in 8-week sessions, while others are 16 weeks long. 

Clinical nursing experience is an integral part of the program and is completed at various health care agencies in the area.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.

Quick facts

• Gain hands-on experience in our simulation lab, CSCIL
• Study in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district and benefit from Carlow partnerships with area health care providers 
• Take advantage of an accelerated 15-month curriculum
• Prepare for the NCLEX in a program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, with pass rates among the highest in Southwestern Pennsylvania

explore our simulation lab (CSCIL)

Alternate degree completion options

Earn your second degree in nursing while attending Carlow as a part-time student. View or download a sample plan of study [pdf].

Admission requirements and application process

BSN faculty

Janice Nash, DNP, RN Professor/Chair of the Undergraduate Nursing Department

Ashley Cole, DNP, RN, CCRN Program Director of Undergraduate Nursing & Assistant Professor

Jessica Huber, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Director of Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Wellness

Angela Simmons DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN Founding Director Practical Nurse Program

Teya Kamel RN, MSN, RYT Faculty, Instructor of Nursing & Yoga

Diana Kozlina-Peretic, DNP, CRNP, MSN, RN Interim Dean, College of Health & Wellness

Lisa Spagnolo, MSN, RN Nursing Instructor

Angela Summer, DNP, MPA, RN, CVRN-BC Assistant Professor and Director of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program

Maggie Myers, MSN, RN, CPN Instructor

Erin Welling Instructor

If you have specific questions about the program, contact Angela Summer.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family (Individual) Across the Life-Span Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program

Make a difference in the lives of individual patients, entire families and communities as a whole and advance your career with Carlow’s Master of Science in Nursing: Family (Individual) Across the Life Span Nurse Practitioner degree. 

Upon completing the 49-credit curriculum and 760 clinical practicum hours, FNP graduates are trained to:  

• Provide Comprehensive Care: Formulate medical diagnoses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and order/interpret diagnostic tests for patients of all ages.  
• Achieve Certification: Meet all educational requirements to successfully sit for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification exams.  
• Lead and Collaborate: Supervise healthcare teams, lead interdisciplinary collaborations, and integrate cost-containment and care coordination strategies.  
• Advocate and Educate: Design community health education programs and collaborate with policymakers to improve patient access to care.  
• Serve Underserved Communities: Apply specialized training—bolstered by Carlow’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) initiatives—to treat medically underserved and disadvantaged populations.  

For your convenience, the program is offered in a hybrid format at Carlow’s Oakland campus.

AANP & ANCC certification exam first time pass rate.

Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum

Our high-tech, learner-centered curriculum focuses on your development towards advanced nursing practice. You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to manage acute and chronic conditions, promote health, prevent disease, educate, and provide counseling services to individuals and families across the lifespan.

At the core of the curriculum is teamwork and collaboration, providing you with the opportunity to develop a peer network – a valuable career resource.

Hybrid classes are offered one evening every other week.  For all students, clinical practicum require clinical hours (760 hours) over the course of the program in a mix of urban and rural healthcare agencies. 

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for board certification as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

The curriculum for the MSN Family (Individual) Across the Life Span Nurse Practitioner program meets the requirements for national board certification and APRN licensure in most U.S. states and territories

Quick facts

• Enroll part time or full time

• Hybrid available at Oakland location and online.

• Build a professional, resourceful network for your future

• Clinical sites provided for students

HRSA IMPACT Grant

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

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

Admission requirements and application process

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

Post MSN Certification Program -NP graduates in another NP specialty (must show evidence of current licensure and certification)-gap analysis will be completed. 

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

The program director will schedule an interview with qualified applicants.

Family Nurse Practitioner Faculty

Carlow University’s FNP program faculty are clinically active in their specialties and engage in evidence-based scholarly activities.

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

Zachary Walker DNP CRNP FNP-C  Assistant Professor 

Michelle Vitale MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC  Instructor, Women’s Health and Gender Related Care 

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

Marissa Cullen PharmD, BCPP  Adjunct Faculty

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

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

Nicholas Pertile MSN, CRNP FNP-C Adjunct Faculty

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

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

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Women’s Health Gender related Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)   

Carlow’s Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as a women’s health gender related nurse practitioner will allow you to promote women’s health issues while also advancing your nursing career. 

Upon Completing the 49-credit curriculum and 760 clinical practicum hours, graduates are trained to: 

• Provide Comprehensive Care: Assess, diagnose, and treat both gynecologic and non-life-threatening conditions. Manage reproductive health, prenatal/postpartum care, and menopause.

• Achieve Certification: Meet all educational requirements and successfully sit for the National Certification Corporation board certification exam 
• Lead and Collaborate: Supervise healthcare teams, lead interdisciplinary collaborations, and integrate cost-containment and care coordination strategies.  
• Advocate and Educate: Develop patient education programs and engage with policymakers on behalf of the nursing profession. 
• Serve Underserved Communities: Apply specialized training—bolstered by Carlow’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) initiatives—to treat medically underserved and disadvantaged populations.  

Carlow’s MSN program is a foundation for doctoral studies and lifelong learning. For your convenience the program is offered in a hybrid format at Carlow’s Oakland campus. 

AANP & ANCC certification exam first time pass rate.

MSN: Women’s Health Gender related Nurse Practitioner curriculum

Our high-tech, learner-centered curriculum focuses on your development towards advanced nursing practice. You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to manage acute and chronic conditions, promote health, prevent disease, educate, and provide counseling services to individuals and families across the lifespan. 

At the core of the curriculum is teamwork and collaboration, providing you with the opportunity to develop a peer network – a valuable career resource. 

Hybrid classes are offered one evening every other week.  For all students, clinical practicum requires clinical hours (760 hours) over the course of the program in a mix of urban and rural healthcare agencies.  

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for board certification as a nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.  The program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

The curriculum for the MSN Women’s Health Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program meets the requirements for national board certification and APRN licensure in most U.S. states and territories. 

Quick facts

• Enroll part time or full time

• Hybrid available at Oakland location and online

• Build a professional, resourceful network for your future.

• Clinical sites provided for students.

HRSA IMPACT Grant 

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

HRSA Grant Faculty

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

Admission requirements and application process

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

Post MSN Certification Program -NP graduates in another NP specialty (must show evidence of current licensure and certification)-gap analysis will be completed.  

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

The program director will schedule an interview with qualified applicants. 

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 GRE or GMAT required. 

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Faculty

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

Zachary Walker DNP CRNP FNP-C  Assistant Professor 

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

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

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

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

Nicholas Pertile MSN, CRNP FNP-C Adjunct Faculty

Find your psychology and counseling degree at Carlow

Carlow University’s counseling and psychology-related programs will equip you with the tools and principles of communication needed to understand and predict the human experience. You’ll learn about the cognitive, biological and developmental aspects of psychology in coursework that include crisis and trauma, development, abnormal psychology and forensic psychology. Internship and research experiences in the Pittsburgh region add to the depth and breadth of the program. 

Understand human behavior and create real change: Psychology major 

Are you curious about why people behave the way they do? Do you want to learn about factors that lead to racism? Are you interested in understanding mental health challenges how to treat them? As a Psychology major at Carlow, you will gain broad-based knowledge in human behavior and experience from a scientific perspective by exploring research methodology and critical analysis in various fields of psychology, such as counseling, developmental, cognitive, social and biological psychology. In addition, the Psychology program at Carlow offers optional concentrations in counseling, crisis and trauma, and child development for those interested in a deeper dive into those areas of interest. 

By the time you graduate from Carlow’s Psychology degree program, you will be ready to enter training in social service and mental health programs in areas such as therapeutic activities, rehabilitation, casework, child care work and service coordination. In addition, the Psychology degree program provides a solid foundation for graduate study in psychology and counseling, and can serve as a path to other careers, such as law, business, education or other fields. 

Bachelor’s in Psychology curriculum

The bachelor’s in Psychology program requires 34 credits in psychology plus 9 credits in supplemental coursework in English and Communication. Psychology coursework includes Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Development, and upper-level courses in Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Personality Theory, and Biological Bases of Behavior. In addition, you are trained in statistics and research methods via a three-course sequence. A series of “Designing Your Life” courses help you prepare for careers in psychology and beyond, culminating in a senior capstone course that integrates different knowledge you have gained in psychology. A variety of elective courses allow you to explore your own areas of interest, such as Forensic Psychology, Psychology of Women, Abnormal Psychology, and more. You may also opt for an internship experience in a local facility or conduct faculty-led research. In addition, you may choose one or more concentrations in, counseling, crisis and trauma, and child development.

Concentrations

Counseling 

This track will acquaint you with pre-professional-level counselor training and professional knowledge and skills needed ot help people in a variety of social service and mental health settings. You will satisfy the regular requirements for the psychology major plus complete at least 12 credits in counseling, such as. Introduction to Counseling, Family Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling, and more. This concentration cannot currently be completed online. 

Child Development 

In the Child Development concentration, you will investigate the biological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive and social factors that shape how humans grow and change. This concentration is helpful if you wish to pursue employment or graduate training in developmental psychology, counseling and fields in which additional knowledge of children’s growth and development is helpful. You will satisfy the regular requirements for the psychology major plus complete at least 9 credits in human development, such as Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Children’s Play, Parenting, and more. This concentration can be completed online asynchronously. 

Crisis and Trauma 

The Crisis and Trauma track will acquaint you with pre-professional-level trauma and crisis counselor training and provide a solid foundation in theory and research pertaining to crisis, abuse and trauma. You’ll focus on crisis assessment, intervention and management and study specific issues such as child abuse prevention and treatment, partner violence and the impact of trauma on individuals and families as well. You will satisfy the regular requirements for the psychology major plus complete at least 12 credits in crisis and trauma, such as Impact of Trauma, Crisis Intervention, Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan, and more. This concentration can be completed online; some classes are offered in an online synchronous format. 

Quick facts

• Collaborate with faculty on research 
• Complete an internship at a local facility
• Start taking Master’s courses as an undergraduate and earn a graduate degree faster for less money

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.

Concentrations include:

• Counseling
• Child Development
• Crisis and Trauma

3-Year Degree

Finish your bachelor’s degree in three years by following a 3-year academic plan. Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms with summer courses completely online. When applying, indicate your interest in the 3-Year Degree 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.

Admission requirements and application process 

Psychology faculty

Janice Nash, DNP, RN Professor/Chair of the Undergraduate Nursing Department

Ashley Cole, DNP, RN, CCRN Program Director of Undergraduate Nursing & Assistant Professor

Jessica Huber, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Director of Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Wellness

Angela Simmons DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN Founding Director Practical Nurse Program

Teya Kamel RN, MSN, RYT Faculty, Instructor of Nursing & Yoga

Diana Kozlina-Peretic, DNP, CRNP, MSN, RN Interim Dean, College of Health & Wellness

Lisa Spagnolo, MSN, RN Nursing Instructor

Angela Summer, DNP, MPA, RN, CVRN-BC Assistant Professor and Director of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program

Maggie Myers, MSN, RN, CPN Instructor

Erin Welling Instructor

Minor in Psychology

You can expand your perspective with a psychology minor: A better understanding of human behavior and experience can be helpful in any career. This minor, open to any major, allows you to sample from a variety of psychology courses in a general concentration.

Psychology minor curriculum

The minor requires 18 credits, nine of which must be at the 200 level or higher.

Study Counseling at Carlow

You can gain pre-professional level knowledge and skills for the helping professions such as social work, nursing, education, sociology and human resource with Carlow’s minor in Counseling, open to non-Psychology majors.

Curriculum for Counseling minor

The Counseling minor is open to any major. A minimum of 18 credits is required, at least 9 of which must be taken at Carlow.

Required courses include:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Counseling
• 6 credits in counseling psychology courses

MA in Psychology and MS in Fraud & Forensics dual degree program

If your undergraduate studies are in psychology, criminology or accounting, you will find Carlow’s dual degree in Psychology and Fraud and Forensics highly relevant. It blends the study of motivation, psychopathy and criminal decision making from the Psychology program with the hands-on investigative skill areas of the Fraud and Forensics program. 

MA in Psychology and MS in Fraud & Forensics dual degree curriculum

The Fraud and Forensics courses focus on financial and cyber-crime investigation, as well as forensic accounting and prevention, detection, investigation and remediation of fraud and white-collar crime. The Psychology courses address personality and developmental differences, and how deviant behavior and beliefs can lead to criminal activities. You’ll study criminal and civil forensic psychology, along with the inherent ethical issues. The dual degree program includes eight courses from Psychology and seven courses from Fraud and Forensics for a total of 46 credits. You must satisfy the requirements of both programs before the degrees are conferred. 

Quick facts

• Earn two master’s degrees
• Understand the motivations, personality traits and environmental influences of criminal behavior
• Expand your network with the fraud and forensics cohort model of learning

Admission requirements and application process

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

Faculty

Janice Nash, DNP, RN Professor/Chair of the Undergraduate Nursing Department

Ashley Cole, DNP, RN, CCRN Program Director of Undergraduate Nursing & Assistant Professor

Jessica Huber, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Director of Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Wellness

Angela Simmons DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN Founding Director Practical Nurse Program

Teya Kamel RN, MSN, RYT Faculty, Instructor of Nursing & Yoga

Diana Kozlina-Peretic, DNP, CRNP, MSN, RN Interim Dean, College of Health & Wellness

Lisa Spagnolo, MSN, RN Nursing Instructor

Angela Summer, DNP, MPA, RN, CVRN-BC Assistant Professor and Director of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program

Maggie Myers, MSN, RN, CPN Instructor

Erin Welling Instructor