Child development psychologists work with children, parents, and teachers to apply the principles of play therapy to help kids become capable and independent individuals. Read more about the benefits about play therapy here.
The Assessment Psychology concentration in Carlow’s MA in Psychology (MAP) program will teach you to use the techniques and tools of the field in an array of tasks in primary school and university settings, helping to develop hypotheses about personality, behavior and ability. With an assessment focus, you’ll be able to explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills that will help you find the right career or continue the path to a doctoral degree.

36 credits
$957/credit
As few as 4 semesters
On campus & online
The Assessment Psychology concentration within the MAP program consists of three courses: Foundations of Neuropsychology, Clinical Assessment of Children, and Trauma Assessment and Intervention. You’ll explore psychological principles applied to educational assessment including learning and behavior theory, strategies for learning and remembering, and problem-solving.

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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Students within Carlow’s Assessment Psychology concentration are prepared to work in clinical testing environments that use advanced assessment to support diagnoses, create treatment plans, support learning in schools and evaluate cognitive abilities across the life span. A doctoral degree is required in order to become a licensed psychologist.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
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.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
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.
Specializing your MA in Psychology studies with the Educational Psychology concentration, you will learn to use psychology techniques and tools in a broad range of tasks within the primary school and university settings. You can explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills that can aid your pursuit of a doctoral degree or a career in child development and treatment.

36 credits
$957/credit
As few as 4 semesters
On campus, some online
The Educational Psychology concentration consists of three courses: Foundations of Educational Psychology, Systems of Educational Practice, and Thinking, Motivation and Creativity.

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.
Students within this concentration are prepared to work in clinical testing environments that use advanced assessment to support diagnoses, create treatment plans, support learning in schools and evaluate cognitive abilities across the life span. Students within the educational concentration are often drawn to working with learning and developmental disorders.A doctoral degree is required in order to become a licensed psychologist.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
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.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
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.
The Exploration Psychology concentration within Carlow’s Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program allows you to take a wider breadth of courses across multiple concentrations and programs. You can define a course of study to fit your unique interests.
You’ll have opportunities to explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills to help in your job search, as well as prepare you for future doctoral studies in psychology.

36 credits
$957/credit
As few as 4 semesters
On campus & online
The Exploration Psychology concentration consists of one foundational course (Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology or Educational Psychology) and two elective courses of your choice. The electives can be taken through the psychology, professional counseling, education or social work graduate programs.

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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Students who complete this concentration are prepared to work in direct clinical, human services, research and medical agencies. A doctoral degree is required in order to become a licensed psychologist.

Shannon White ’19, who started at Carlow as an adult student, was impressed with the investment that faculty made in her. “I just had very good faculty interactions in the counseling psychology department. They were very personable and willing to help me. They invested in me. We received a good education in social justice which was really important and has made all the difference in the world in the kind of professional I am. Carlow always addresses culture and not everyone does that.”
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
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.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Carlow made it simple for Mickenna Ansell ’22 to tailor her education to future goals while she was working full-time. “The faculty and staff were very easy to connect with and I was able to get professional experience in research and clinical practice with their help. My time at the University prepared me to take doctoral-level classes and work in the field of psychology.”

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.
The Forensic Psychology concentration of Carlow’s Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program will help you learn to use the tools of psychology in a wide variety of criminal and civil legal applications. You’ll develop advanced research and clinical skills that can help in the job hunt as well as prepare you for future doctoral studies in psychology.

36 credits
$957/credit
As few as 4 semesters
On campus & online
The Forensic Psychology degree curriculum focuses on developing research skills through the MAP core subjects and a three-course concentration. Courses include Foundations of Forensic Psychology, Systems of the Criminal Justice System and Psychology of Deviance.

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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Forensic psychologists look at people, situations and clues to learn more about criminal motivation and behavior. Together with the core MAP Program curriculum, students within this concentration are prepared to work with civil and criminal courts, juvenile and adult probation, prevention and rehabilitation programs, and corrections.

When a local golf course closed, Emily Golling took the lead in preserving the abandoned land as greenspace for others to enjoy. Her Carlow-instilled initiative took leadership by surprise. “I had no idea about her passion until we were conversing over a planned activity,” said Erin Boyles, assistant dean of students. “I should have known, though, because when she wants or feels something is needed, her passion is front row.”
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
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.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
What stuck out most for Rachel Seamans ’21 about Carlow’s Master’s of Psychology program was the engaged faculty. “They took an interest in us and made sure we succeeded as both students and people. We weren’t just numbers to them. And, we were learning from professionals who were still practicing, not years removed from working in the field.”

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.
Carlow University’s Post-Masters Addiction Counseling certificate is a four-course sequence for new as well as experienced clinicians who want to enhance their knowledge and understanding of addictions. The Post-Master’s Addiction Counseling certificate is housed within the Professional Counseling Program in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Criminology, College of Arts & Sciences. The Professional Counseling Program offers a variety of CACREP-accredited programs: 60-credit Masters of Science in Professional Counseling Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Addictions Counseling; 12-credit Post-Masters Certificate in Addictions Counseling; 9-credit Post-Masters Certificate in School-Based Mental Health Counseling; and the Accelerated Masters Professional Counseling Program for Carlow Undergraduates.
The Post-Master’s Addiction Counseling certificate (12 credits) meets the Addictions-specific education requirements for the IC&RC Examination for Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (AADC exam) and PA Certification Board – Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). Through this program, students will build the foundation for competency in Addiction Counseling.

12 credits
$1,015/credit
3 semesters
100% online
The four certificate courses are:

Employment of substance abuse and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Admission Criteria
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Admission Criteria
An undergraduate and graduate 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.
If you are interested in this graduate certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps.
Carlow University offers a variety of science and math degrees grounded in liberal arts that will prepare you for a myriad of careers that involve scientific and mathematical theories and applications. Math and science programs provide a strong foundation for related careers such as engineering, medicine and health care, and for graduate work. Courses are available on campus and online.
With a master’s in Art Education from Carlow, you will be prepared to teach art in pre-K through grade 12, or to work with children and adolescents in nonprofit or community organizations including museum education.
Workshops led by distinguished authors, activists, artists and educators add to the course curriculum. You can take advantage of Carlow’s educational partnership with The Andy Warhol Museum or collaborate with Carlow’s art department and art gallery.
The MEd in Art Education compliments other graduate departmental offerings in Early Childhood, Secondary Education, and Special Education and utilizes a core of courses shared across these programs.

36 credits
$618/credit
As few as 18 months
Online
Student Teaching In-Person
You will experience an accelerated program with eight-week online courses. You will take two method courses in Art designed to creating and implementing curricula.
You will learn to implement instructional technology to increase student achievement and engagement. You’ll design activities and projects based on individual student needs and explore the intersection of art with social emotional learning and creativity. You will create assessments aligned to student outcomes and analyze assessment results.

A master’s in Art Education prepares you to teach art in Pre-K through 12th grade classrooms. You can also work within community settings, museums, nongovernmental organizations, and broader public and civic contexts, or open your own studio or business. Specialties including painting, drawing, ceramics and photography.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
anytime
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.
Upon completion of the course requirements in the program, you must successfully pass:
Once you have met these requirements, you may apply for certification with the state.
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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.
“I was a 40-something artist trapped in a stuffy-businessman suit until that world decided it no longer wanted me. My inner artist was released, and I began my journey toward a second career as an art educator. I appreciate the accelerated nature of Carlow’s program. It’s a lot of hard and time-consuming work, but I knew it would prepare me for a teaching career sooner. Additionally, Carlow staff and professors are personable and helpful. They get to know you on a personal level. They respect you and recognize your importance to the program and university.”
Dan Garbark, 2024 graduate

The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Teaching will prepare you to help children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Emphasizing curriculum design, the program focuses on advanced teaching or instructional support positions with public, private or nonprofit organizations.
The four autism courses are offered as a special graduate certificate program. They can also be taken as a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction track. The program offers advanced study of pedagogy for working educators or other interested individuals. Teaching certification is not required for enrollment and completion of the program. It does not lead to initial teaching certification, nor does it lead to an autism endorsement unless you are a licensed teacher.

30 credits
$618/credit
As few as 12 months
On campus or online
Carlow’s four-course graduate certificate program in autism spectrum teaching provides the competencies set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Courses are offered in a hybrid or online format with January, March, August or October start dates. Upon completion, Level I or II certificate holders are eligible for the PDE autism endorsement.
Community partnerships in the Pittsburgh area offer workshops and activities with guest speakers.

This program is available as a graduate certificate which leads to an endorsement from PDE for already licensed teachers.
It’s estimated that more than 1% of U.S. children are diagnosed with autism, which has contributed to a high demand for qualified professionals to work with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Carlow’s graduate certificate program will prepare you to be a special education teacher, behavior analyst, autism spectrum disorder specialist, behavioral interventionist or child advocate.
If you work with children or young adults with an autism spectrum disorder, the autism teaching track will prepare you to design effective programs for your students and enhance your skills as a general or special educator.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
anytime
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.
Certification information: Any teacher or other education professional who holds a current Level I or Level II certification and who successfully completes the four-course certificate sequence, is eligible for the Autism Endorsement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Students who successfully complete the four-course sequence, but do not hold a current Level I or Level II certification are eligible for the Carlow issued certificate of completion but not the PDE Endorsement.
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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.
Carlow’s MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Dyslexia Teaching certificate program utilizes systematic and explicit multisensory-based structured literacy in early childhood reading instruction. You’ll get a strong foundation in those elements as well as a comprehensive look at current brain research in the field of dyslexia.
The four courses in the program can also be taken as a track in the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program and are aligned with the International Dyslexia Association standards for educators and teachers of reading. Parents, community members or nonformal educators interested in more academic and practical information about dyslexia teaching are welcome in the program.

30 credits
$618/credit
As few as 12 months
Online
The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program with a dyslexia track features courses in curriculum theory, motivation and creativity, improvement science, and multi-sensory teaching methods. Community partnerships in the Pittsburgh area offer workshops and activities with guest speakers.
With Carlow’s Dyslexia Teaching certificate, you’ll be on your way to helping students improve their reading and close achievement gaps. Carlow’s four-course dyslexia certificate equips practitioners with the skillset to plan and implement systematic, explicit, multi-modal, diagnostic, and intensive instruction. The Dyslexia Certificate courses are rigorously aligned to the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for teachers of reading. Non-formal educators, parents and community members are welcome as well. The program has long-standing community partnerships in the Pittsburgh area that result in workshops, activities and guest speakers.
Four Course Dyslexia Certificate, 12 credits
International Dyslexia Association’s Accredited Universities
Center for Effective Reading Instruction, Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist

This program is available as a graduate certificate which leads to an endorsement from PDE for already licensed teachers.
With the Dyslexia Teaching certificate, you’ll be better prepared for advanced positions in education in public, private or nonprofit organizations.
Highly qualified literacy practitioners 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 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:
anytime
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.
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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.
“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 Dyslexia Teaching Certificate track
In Carlow’s master’s in Early Childhood Leadership program, you will focus on evaluating early learning programs, coaching in an educational setting and developing curriculum. You will have a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Head Start supervisor, center director, classroom coach and mentor.
The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Leadership degree offers advanced study of pedagogy for working educators or other interested individuals. Teaching certification is not required for enrollment in this program, and it does not lead to initial teaching certification.

30 credits
$618/credit
As few as 12 months
On campus or online
The curriculum in the Early Childhood Leadership program includes an examination of developmentally appropriate practices for each age group, along with models for parent involvement. The care and education of young children is studied from a historical perspective that includes current challenges and trends in child care, Head Start, preschool and early intervention programs.
You’ll learn about delivery of service and governmental licensing standards, leading to a case study of an operational program. Community partnerships in the Pittsburgh area offer workshops and activities with guest speakers.

This program is available as a graduate certificate which leads to an endorsement from PDE for already licensed teachers.
You’ll be prepared to work in community-based children’s programs, classrooms or child care settings. You will be qualified for advanced positions in education, whether public, private or with a nonprofit organization.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
anytime
Fall & Spring
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.
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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.