Empowering Movement, Transforming Lives: Your Journey Starts Here!

The programs offered in the Department of Physical Therapy program at Carlow University encompass the Mercy mission to serve the community by promoting the dignity of every person, advocating for equity and inclusion to address matters of social justice. At Carlow, we believe that non-technical skills are equally essential to your health professional training as the technical skills. Our programs emphasize three important habits of healthcare practice: Heart (professional formation/responsibilities), Head (cognitive knowledge), and Hand (clinical skills). It is the training in the habits of the heart that will allow you to act above and beyond your technical responsibilities and advocate for your patients. We strive to graduate healthcare professionals who would use the following principles within their professional practice.

  1. Healthcare equity is the cornerstone of a healthy society.
  2. Health and wellness promotion for the population/community is essential in conjunction with individual patient care.
  3. Every individual is a leader who must be prepared for a dynamic healthcare environment.
  4. Clinical decision-making shall be based on the three pillars of evidence-informed practice (using the best available research evidence, applying clinical experience/expertise, and incorporating patients’/clients’ beliefs and values with empathy and compassion).
  5. Physical therapy graduates and clinicians must be proficient in clinical competencies based on the contemporary standards of physical therapy practice.

Small

class sizes to provide individual attention

International

clinical experience opportunities

Engage

in experiential learning on Carlow campus

Faculty & staff

Our faculty comprises practicing clinicians with a wealth of experience in physical therapy, blending real-world insights with academic rigor. As experienced educators, they impart their passion for the profession to students, nurturing a commitment to clinical excellence. Join us to learn from the best and embark on your journey towards mastery.


Accreditation

Effective 04/25/23, Carlow University, Doctor of Physical Therapy program, has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please email: dptprogram@carlow.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/ professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Department Points of Pride

  • Emphasis on Interprofessional education
  • Focus on community health and service learning
  • Inculcate the habits of the Heart, Head, and Hand
  • Develop healthcare leaders and entrepreneurs

Fostering collaborative excellence. Discover the advantages of a transformational educational experience in Carlow University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Carlow has a long history and outstanding reputation for educating great nurses. Our mercy centered mission, along with small class sizes and state of the art skills and simulation facilities make Carlow a perfect place to pursue a nursing degree. Students receive individualized attention and mentorship from our experienced nursing faculty who are experts in their area of nursing. Located in the heart of Oakland, we have partnerships with healthcare facilities within the Pittsburgh region and easy access to a variety of clinical experiences within the community, in acute care and community health.  Throughout our program, Carlow nursing students learn about nursing care with a focus on ethics, a commitment to social justice and a goal of decreasing heath disparities.  Students have opportunities to explore different aspects of nursing as they learn and grow into professional nurses. If you have an interest in becoming a nurse, whether you are looking for a traditional BSN program, a 2nd Degree BSN program, an RN to BSN program, or a Practical Nurse Certificate program, one or Carlow’s undergraduate nursing programs can help you achieve your goal of becoming a nurse.

undergraduate programs
minor

Carlow Skills and Innovative Learning (CSIL) skills and simulation labs are incorporated into all clinical courses in the curriculum.

Faculty mentoring for individualized student NCLEX preparation in the final semester of the program.

Perioperative summer internship program offered as a summer elective for BSN students

75

years of excellence in nursing education this year

90%

pass rate for first time test takers over the past 10 years. 

Faculty & staff

In addition to their advanced degrees, all our faculty have clinical practice experience in the areas of nursing that they are teaching. Our smaller class sizes and faculty advising model provide students with opportunities for individualized learning and career mentoring starting in the first year of the program. We hire adjunct clinical faculty with expertise and current experience in the areas of nursing practice that they are teaching.

Make a difference in the world through the Carlow University Department of Public Health

Carlow’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is committed to hands-on, inter-professional collaborative education. The program was inspired by the view that effective team collaborations improve the quality of clinical service delivery. It is our belief that frequent hands-on training transforms learning from theoretical knowledge into high-quality, evidence-based, person-centered care. Students train to prevent, assess, and treat communication and swallowing disorders within a clinically focused learning environment comprised of faculty, clinical educators, and students from several different professions including:

  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Respiratory Therapy

Unique to Carlow University, students learn the value of clinical application through extensive clinical skills labs that will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to enter professional practice as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist working in any clinical environment.

undergraduate programs
minors

100%

of all Healthcare Management and Health Care Data Analytics Majors can earn a Minor with no additional time towards graduation.

7

distinct tracks are offered to Public Health Majors including 2 into graduate programs and 1 into 2nd Degree Nursing.

Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff have decades of real-world senior leadership experience, and constantly share that expertise with our students.  You will be learning from people who have “been there” and “done that” at the highest levels.  By learning from industry leaders our graduates have a tremendous advantage over other students.  The Carlow Department of Public Health Professors will prepare you for life in the healthcare industry.  

Accreditation

All programs in the Department of Public Health are Middle States accredited, with the Respiratory Therapy program having additional certifications as required for that field of study.

Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Physician Assistant Programs

Carlow University offers a new and innovative cohort-based physician assistant program. Accelerate your learning with this 25-month program designed to build upon your prior healthcare experience and the clinical skills you already have. There’s nothing like being in a holistic and supportive academic environment that provides personalized attention in the classroom and lab. Our program ensures that clinical application is a big part of your transformational educational experience. It consists of a three-phase curriculum, grounded in Carlow’s mercy values, taught in a multidisciplinary environment alongside other healthcare professionals. This environment equips students with integral skills including ethical leadership, compassionate care and interprofessional collaborative competencies.

Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) and pursue a versatile and in-demand career as a physician assistant.

graduate programs

Versatile

“Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as the patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving health care access and quality.” American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

30%

projected rise in PA jobs through 2028 with a median pay of $112,260

Flexible

A career as a Physician Assistant provides one of the most versatile and flexible opportunities in healthcare, with the ability to work in any medical or surgical specialty or sub-specialty

Newsletter

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

READ HERE

Find us on social media!

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

Educator workshops on Eventbrite

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

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Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff are devoted to supporting our current and future learners in the Physician Assistant Program. With our diverse backgrounds, the faculty are able to offer clinical expertise in a variety of specialties and subspecialties including pediatrics, surgery, urgent care, occupational health as well as others. The faculty and staff work closely with the students to serve not only as educators, but as mentors

Accreditation

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Carlow University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Carlow University. 

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. 

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-carlow-university/.

Students who graduate from a program with provisional accreditation or continuing accreditation status are eligible for certification and licensure after successfully passing the PANCE.

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

Fostering collaborative excellence. Discover the advantages of a transformational educational experience in Carlow University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Carlow’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is committed to hands-on, interprofessional collaborative education. The program was inspired by the view that effective team collaborations improve the quality of clinical service delivery. It is our belief that frequent hands-on training transforms learning from theoretical knowledge into high-quality, evidence-based, person-centered care. Students train to prevent, assess, and treat communication and swallowing disorders within a clinically focused learning environment comprised of faculty, clinical educators, and students from several different professions including:

  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Respiratory Therapy

Unique to Carlow University, students learn the value of clinical application through extensive clinical skills labs that will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to enter professional practice as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist working in any clinical environment.

graduate programs

#3

in Best Healthcare Jobs and #10 in Best Jobs according to 2024 U.S. News & World Report

100%

Carlow SLP students said Carlow was the right fit for them 

Faculty & staff

At Carlow, we are devoted to a teaching-learning climate of compassion, mutual respect, and ethical accountability as these elements are fundamental to cultivating a higher level of professional practice. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to delivering transformational educational experiences through innovation, close faculty mentorship, and diverse learning experiences.

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Carlow University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, +1 (800) 498-2071 or +1 (301) 296-5700. Candidacy is a “pre accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

mission, vision, goals & strategic plan
student outcome data

Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Nursing Programs

As a graduate nursing department, we prepare exceptionally skilled providers, leaders and educators in doctoral, masters, and certificate tracks to meet the healthcare and health promotion needs of populations. Nursing graduate students have experiences with people nationally and internationally via didactic, clinical and study abroad opportunities. The School of Nursing educates practitioners of tomorrow and encourages a passion for evidenced-based practice, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in the spirit of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

We offer study in a hybrid face-to-face modality that incorporates twice monthly evening classes with online coursework to fit the needs of today’s full-time working nurse, while affording opportunities for 1:1 faculty engagement, and peer group networking and support. 

A fully online program is also available, for students out of the Pittsburgh region, and/or for those desiring a non-synchronous education program.  

View the School of Nursing’s program outcomes and accreditation information.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The high demand for qualified psychiatric nurse practitioners stems in large part from the increased normalization of mental health issues.

MASTERS programs
doctorate programs

$2.6M

in scholarships awarded every year to IMPACT FNP graduate students 

4

competitive scholarships available to support the inaugural cohort of PMHNP MSN students.

200+

medical practices and clinics students can practice at facilitated by the Director of Clinical Education

Faculty & staff

Nursing, like all other health care professions, does not exist in isolation. Advanced practice nursing education must integrate other aspects of our humanity if the profession is going to truly do what it pledges to do from the outset of a nurse’s oath. A commitment to justice and mercy requires critical thinking and self-reflection. Carlow University has a rich tradition of service and a mission that flows from the Mercy Core Values. These values: Hospitality, Service, Discovery, and Sacredness of Creation, are embraced within a framework of reflective practice. We recognize that no single discipline can fully educate today’s advanced practice providers who care for families across the lifespan. We are a uniquely positioned university with the ability to fully utilize our colleagues in theology, art, pharmacology, biology, creative writing, and communications to guide discovery within our students. We are not only these disciplines, but more, together, each contributing to the development of a critically thinking, ethical, and merciful human being who will go into the community transformed, and ready to lead.

Department Points of Pride

  • On June 26th, 2023, Carlow University received over $2.6 million to increase the number of Family Nurse Practitioner graduates educated to provide primary care services, with advanced education in mental health, substance use disorders, and women’s and maternal health care. The Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant – funded through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is aimed at increasing access to primary care providers for those living in medically underserved communities. 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.
  • HRSA Nursing Faculty Loan Program to repay 85% of tuition costs with post-graduate employment in the role of nursing educator.
  • 97% AANP & 100% ANCC certification exam pass rate for FNPs 
  • “Very Strong” NCC certification exam pass rate for WHNPs 
  • In 2023, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers Carlow University established a one-year pilot program, funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), to develop clinically sound evidence-based practicing NPs. FNP graduates have a year of residency (transition to primary care) after completion of an educational program at Carlow University. 
  • Carlow Graduate Nursing Department is a CEU provider through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) for professional development training for preceptors, clinical faculty, and students. 

Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Psychology, Counseling, and Criminology Programs

Are you interested in a career that benefits from a strong understanding of human behavior and mental processes? At Carlow, we prepare students with the knowledge and skills for a wide variety of careers involved in working with people in diverse ways.

Our undergraduate majors provide students with foundational knowledge in psychology, neuropsychology, and criminology, with opportunities to specialize in such areas as Child Development, Counseling, Crisis and Trauma, and Applied Criminal Justice. There are opportunities for field placements or to participate in faculty-led research teams. Can’t decide on one major? We make it easy to double major or add a minor or a concentration to your major, so you can explore all your interests.

At the graduate level, Carlow offers programs that prepare students for careers in mental health-related fields, research, fraud and forensics, and more.

At Carlow, we understand the needs of a diverse student body. Some of our programs can be completed fully online, offering flexibility and opening doors for students who are otherwise unable to pursue a degree. In addition, we offer accelerated pathways that help save students time and money so that they can achieve their goals sooner at a more affordable cost.

Undergraduate programs
graduate programs
doctorate program
certificates
MINORS

$4.9M

Grant awarded to Carlow to support a School-Based Mental Health program

$90k

in stipends available annually to Professional Counseling students

$1.9M

Grant awarded to the Carlow Underserved and Rural Engagement (CURE) program

Faculty & staff

Accreditation

The PsyD in Counseling Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The MS in Professional Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP).

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Biology Programs

As a Biology or Health Science major at Carlow University, learn the scientific principles of living organisms, conduct student research, and prepare for your dream career or graduate studies in the healthcare, research, or environmental fields.

The biology major curriculum covers the entire scope of biological sciences from the structure and function of genes, proteins and cells to the ecology and evolution of organisms. 

Specializations have been designed to accommodate your potential career path (cardiovascular perfusion, health science, environmental science & management, human biology). 

Before graduating you will have the opportunity to conduct student research and/or complete a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity through the Senior Capstone course. Both provide an advantage for you as you pursue a career or graduate studies.

Undergraduate programs
graduate programs
minors

Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff are devoted to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment, so our graduates are well prepared to achieve their goals with the skill sets needed to be successful in the 21st century workforce.

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

Department Points of Pride

Choose your concentration:

Environmental Science 

You will graduate career-ready with this dual-degree program that offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. You will study how biological processes impact the environment and how to manage environmental issues in this 3+2 program in collaboration with Duquesne University’s Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. 

Cardiovascular Perfusion 

As you work toward your bachelor of science degree in Biology through Carlow University, you will complete requirements at UPMC Shadyside, while beginning your clinical training. In this accelerated Cardiovascular Perfusion program, you will pursue Biology within the tradition of the liberal arts while accumulating the technical proficiency and professional skills required of health care professionals. 

The Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion is offered in coordination with the UPMC School of Perfusion. Up to 15 students per year are accepted into the Master of Science program. 

Human Biology 

Through this holistic and interdisciplinary scientific study, you will examine and understand the complexities of humans through a variety of diverse fields. Be prepared to enter professional training in all areas of health care, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy and podiatry.

Discover the advantages of hands-on learning in chemistry and computer science courses at Carlow.

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

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

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

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Computer Science is for everyone.

Undergraduate programs
minors

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

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

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

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

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

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

14/30

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

43%

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

$80

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

Faculty & staff

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

View our student teaching handbook
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Department Points of Pride

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

Discover the Carlow OT Difference!

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

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

graduate programs
doctorate program

Faculty & staff

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

Accreditation

The Doctorate program in OT has been granted “pre-accreditation” by the Accreditation Council of OT Education (ACOTE) and will complete the final onsite visit in fall of 2024.

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

Department Points of Pride

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