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.

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

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.

Admission requirements & application process

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 or public health policy.

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.

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

Areas of focus

• Community health (focuses on the historical and ongoing development of social policies, support services and health disparities in America’s society)
• Epidemiology (studies 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)

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.

Quick Facts: Public Health major

• Learn alongside multiple healthcare disciplines 
• Choose an area of focus (community health, epidemiology, public health policy)
• Graduate career-ready into a rapidly growing, in-demand field of public health 
• Pursue a graduate degree (meets prerequisite criteria for the Master of Social Work and Counseling Psychology) 

Admission requirements and application process

Transform the future of healthcare with an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, 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.

▸ View or download our program’s mission and outcomes [pdf]

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being. 

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).

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.

Quick facts

• Learn interprofessionally
• Become a powerful citizen of justice in society and healthcare
• Prepare yourself to be an innovative leader in healthcare

▸ Read about the Carlow difference [pdf]

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Occupational Therapy program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD  20814-3449, phone: +1 (301) 652-AOTA, website: www.acoteonline.org

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is in the process to attain full-accreditation status with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Information regarding the program accreditation process and Carlow University’s current status can be obtained by contacting ACOTE c/o AOTA at +1 (301) 652-AOTA or online at www.acoteonline.org. ACOTE is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

▸ View or download our accreditation timeline [pdf]

Admission requirements and application process

Apply now for admission in Fall 2022!

*In order to best accommodate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the OT department will accept any service, volunteer, and/or observation experiences as fulfilling the required 20 observation hours. We understand traditional clinical sites are still not completely open to students, however, there are many social justice organizations that still need our help. Consider volunteering at a local agency that serves the needs of our citizens. If you have any questions, please contact us directly.

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

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Build potential and access to full participation with an MS in Occupational Therapy

Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, 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.

▸ View or download our program’s mission and outcomes [pdf]

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being.

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

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.

Quick facts

• Learn interprofessionally
• 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]

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Occupational Therapy program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD  20814-3449, phone: +1 (301) 652-AOTA, website: www.acoteonline.org

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is in the process to attain full-accreditation status with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Information regarding the program accreditation process and Carlow University’s current status can be obtained by contacting ACOTE c/o AOTA at +1 (301) 652-AOTA or online at www.acoteonline.org. ACOTE is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

▸ View or download our accreditation timeline [pdf]

Admission requirements and application process

Apply now for admission in Fall 2022!

*In order to best accommodate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the OT department will accept any service, volunteer, and/or observation experiences as fulfilling the required 20 observation hours. We understand traditional clinical sites are still not completely open to students, however, there are many social justice organizations that still need our help. Consider volunteering at a local agency that serves the needs of our citizens. If you have any questions, please contact us directly.

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

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Help students improve their literacy skills

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.

Graduate Certificate in Reading Specialist Curriculum 

The program is focused on the science of reading with an emphasis on facilitating learning for students who struggle with reading.

Quick facts

• Innovative applied-based practices
• No student teaching required
• Approved provider for the federal TEACH Grant

Admission requirements and application process

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

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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

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

View Plan of Study

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:

• View or download the Bachelor of Social Work field manual [pdf]: contains information and documents specific to the field placement component of the program  
• View or download the Bachelor of Social Work program handbook [pdf]: contains policies, procedures and information about the program
• View or download the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes [pdf] 

Admission requirements and application process

Prepare to help meet the educational needs of students with disabilities

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 to effectively teach students with mild and moderate disabilities.

Per requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students entering the Special Education graduate certificate program must be certified teachers in another content area.

Graduate Certificate in Special Education curriculum

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. The program requires 12 credits that focus on research methodologies, analytical processes and critical issues. You must have 9 credits in special needs education as prerequisites to entering the Master of Education program with a concentration in special education. 

Quick facts

• Emphasizes meeting needs of students with a wide range of disabilities and positive behavior support
• Latest special education technology
• Approved provider for the federal TEACH Grant

Admission requirements and application process

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

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.”

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Meet students’ unique needs: Master’s in Special Education

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. 

Special Education degree curriculum

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
• Complete field and student teaching placements

Alternate degree completion options

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.

Admission requirements and application process 

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

Experience amazing opportunities

MEd Special Education graduate Jordan Coccaro ’20 didn’t hesitate in choosing Carlow for grad school. “Carlow has given me amazing opportunities to have real experiences in the classroom through field placements. My extensive field placement allowed me to learn about interventions, data collection and how the flow of a special education classroom should be designed. In my five years at Carlow in the Education Department, I will always remember how supportive all of the faculty and staff are of their students.”

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Improve outcomes for students struggling with reading

You can be a leader in the field of educational literacy with Carlow’s Master of Education Reading Specialist degree. The reading specialist certification and MEd programs lead to Pre-K-12 Pennsylvania Department of Education Reading Specialist Certification with a special Carlow dyslexia certificate.

As a reading specialist or literacy coordinator, you’ll learn to provide whole class, small group and tiered intervention support to students in all aspects of literacy instruction. 

Curriculum for MEd Reading Specialist

You’ll study how children learn to read with courses centered on the science of reading and examine different approaches to effective literacy assessment and instruction.

Coursework includes an examination of phonological awareness, the structure of language, teaching writing and digital literacy. The curriculum meets guidelines for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s framework for the reading specialist, the International Literacy Association (ILA) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Students will benefit from on-site practicums at Carlow’s Campus Laboratory School or regional schools and districts. 

Special workshops and guest speakers are a hallmark of the program through partnerships with Trying Together, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Fred Rogers Institute, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Provident Charter School, PBIDA, Warhol Museum and A+ Schools.

Quick facts

• Structured literacy and IDA focus
• Faculty instructors who serve as national LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) trainers
• Partnerships with regional schools that enhance professional development

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 Reading Specialist (Pre-K-12)

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

Admission requirements and application process

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

Learn to make a difference

MEd Reading Specialist graduate Alyson Woodall ’21 said Carlow’s Education Program has taught her how to make a difference. “Carlow has always been at the forefront of education by teaching education students the latest strategies and approaches for delivering effective classroom instruction. Carlow is challenging me to be a better teacher by showing me how to use research-based techniques that focus on how the brain learns to read.”

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