Get your college career off to a great start!
Discover the pathway that may be best for you in pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Carlow University.
Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Education Programs
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.
New! Doctorate in Education
The Campus Lab School provides incredible practicum and field experiences for Education students.
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It takes one teacher or one principal to change the trajectory of a child’s life. Representation matters.
The Apprenticeship Program is a degree pathway for individuals working in childcare centers devoted to high quality early education.
Education students have the opportunity to join Future Educator’s Club, Best Buddies, or by-invitation, the international honor society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi.
Our College in High School provides four Education classes during the school year and summer opportunities for those interested in teaching.
We offer special graduate level PD classes for $270.00, and we have a robust Speaker Series available for community organizations and schools. In addition, we offer a virtual Educator Workshop series accessible free of charge to the community.
$1.2M
in scholarships are awarded every year to graduate and undergraduate students.
$16M
in grants have been awarded over the last five years to support student learning and advance innovative educational practices.
800+
educators and community members are provided with professional development trainings and workshops every year.
Newsletter
Learn about Carlow’s personalized education in our quarterly newsletter.
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.
Faculty & staff
Our faculty and staff are devoted to nurturing and supporting current and future Scholar-Practitioners who are reflective in action, capable of creating and serving in High Performance Learning environments, and who support and respect the dignity and diversity of all learners.
Keely Baronak, EdD Chair, Professor, Education
Tanya Baronti, M.S., M.Ed. Director of Clinical Placements
Ann Bisignani Graduate Program Coordinator
Debra Campbell Administrative Assistant
Sean Freeland Assistant Professor
Mimi Loughead SW Apprenticeship Workforce Coordinator
Marissa McClure-Sweeny Faculty and Program Director, Early Childhood
Patricia McMahon, PhD Professor, Education
Tammi McMillan Director, Early Childhood Apprenticeship Hub
Lillian Naccarati Interim Executive Director, Campus Lab School & Early Learning Center
Susan O’Rourke, EdD Professor, Special Education
Valerie Piccini, MEd Instructor, Reading Specialist, Education
Susan Polojac Director, Apprenticeship Hub
MiIsha Reid Assistant Professor, Special Education
Pamela Zimmerman Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs, Education
Accreditation
Our Education programs are accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, our Reading Specialist Program is accredited by the International Dyslexia Center.
View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook
Department of Education Points of Pride (2019-2023)
- In June 2023, Carlow University’s Education Department and Campus Laboratory School received a $85,000 grant from a private charitable foundation to continue the legacy of The Campus Lab School’s Founder, Sister Mary Paul Hickey. “The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Professional Educator Development Project,”encompasses an annual Sister Mary Paul Hickey Professional Development Educator Workshop Series; The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Symposium; The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Teacher Research Mini-Grants Project; and graduate scholarship awards to teachers from The Campus Lab School and schools in the Pittsburgh and Greensburg Dioceses. Sister Mary Paul Hickey was the founder of The Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University and served as Principal for more than 40 years. She left a legacy of service, innovation and a deep love for the students and teachers at The Campus Lab School. This grant honors her memory while building on her legacy of excellence in education and support of teacher development.
- In January 2023, Carlow University’s Department of Education was awarded two workforce diversity grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the amount of $100,000 each. These grants established, “The Innovative Teacher Prep2Practice Program,” and “The Innovative Principal Prep2Practice Program,” for aspiring educators and principals and to support Pennsylvania’s workforce.
- In September 2022, Carlow’s Department of Education was awarded a $12 million sunsetting grant from a local, anonymous donor. “The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Hub for Early Childhood Education,” was successfully endowed, following a two-year concept testing period that resulted in the receipt of the sunsetting grant. Carlow University is the first, four-year university in Pennsylvania to be designated by the Department of Labor as a four-year early childhood apprenticeship program and its work will continue in perpetuity as a result of this endowment gift.
- In May 2022, Carlow’s Department of Education was awarded an $808,025 grant from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Professional Development Organization (PASSHE PDO) in support of apprenticeship scholarships, student supports, and professional development opportunities.
- In December 2021, the Education Department was the recipient of a $109,122 grant from The Peirce Family Foundation in support of “The Peirce Dyslexia Program at Carlow University.” Funding encompasses a 4-week intensive summer structured literacy program, Camp Carlow and after school literacy workshops for children from The Campus Laboratory School and from the West Oakland/Hill District and greater Pittsburgh community. The program also provides literacy tutoring support for Perry High School students (one of Pittsburgh Public Schools) conducted by graduate students of Carlow’s four-course dyslexia track, which is embedded in the MEd Reading Specialist Program.
- In July 2021, Carlow’s Department of Education was awarded an $80,150 grant from McAuley Ministries for the “Community Literacy Engagement Project (CLEP),” an individualized literacy support, four-week summer program for children from Campus Lab School and the West Oakland/Hill District communities. The grant also supports literacy tutoring in The Campus Lab School’s Dyslexia Center throughout the school year.
- In July 2021, Carlow University’s Education Department and Campus Laboratory School received a $93,500 grant from a private charitable foundation to establish, “The Sister Mary Paul Hickey Symposium and Teacher Leader Institute.”Components of the project include an annual professional development educator workshop series and symposium, teacher research mini-grants, and scholarship awards to teachers from The Campus Lab School and from schools in the Pittsburgh or Greensburg Diocese.
- In June 2021, the Department of Education was the recipient of two separate $225,000 grants to fund the “Power of ONE,” a program aimed at providing teacher certification for educators of color. Funded generously by the McElhattan Foundation and The Grable Foundation, these grants benefit a strategic partnership between the University and partnering school districts. The grants allow Carlow to partner with school districts to diversify Pittsburgh’s teacher pipeline, allowing for a more seamless and supportive degree pathway for initial teacher certification for Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), having a tangible impact on increasing the number of educators of color in school districts where many students identify as Black and multi-racial.
- In May 2021, Carlow University was awarded $886,892 from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Professional Development Organization Grant (PASSHE PDO) through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning for scholarships and supports for childcare providers who are attending a college or are enrolled in university programs. Supports include textbooks, tutoring support, a full-time workforce coordinator, and an apprenticeship coaching website. Part of the grant will support Carlow’s early childhood apprenticeship program, which helps to improve childcare employee retention, reduce barriers for workforce entry, and increase diversity in teacher candidates.
- In February 2020, The Heinz Endowments awarded a $1 million grant and a $1 million endowment to support “The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Hub for Early Childhood Education” to improve the quality of early childhood education in Pennsylvania.
- In September 2019, a local, anonymous foundation awarded two grants totaling $1 million to Carlow’s Department of Education to support a two-year concept testing period for the establishment of, “The Western Pennsylvania Early Childhood Apprenticeship Hub,” the first, four-year early childhood apprenticeship program in the state of Pennsylvania.
In the Healthcare Social Work concentration of Carlow University’s online BSW, you’ll gain a conceptual, ethical and practical framework for social work practice in healthcare.
Enhance your career opportunities in the biotech industry
Designed for the biotech working professional who is looking to effect change in the health sector, our Quality Control and Assurance Certificate program offers a pathway to new and impactful career paths in healthcare and the life science fields. Designed in partnership with industry leaders, this online certificate will equip you with employable skills that you can take into the workforce at any time.
- Gain knowledge of therapeutic and medical device life cycle management
- Learn how financial risk and regulations play a part in discovering and developing healthcare and medical products.
- Understand the integration of supply chain management and how it intersects with the healthcare sector
Credits required:
12 credits
Cost per credit:
$875/credit
Time to completion:
As few as 8 months
Delivery:
100% online
Quality Assurance and Control online courses include:
- Quality Assurance in Health Sector
- Pharmaceutical Business Lifecycle Management
- Supply Chain Management in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Financial Processes & Risk in Pharmaceutical Industry
Pittsburgh, a force in the biotech industry
The Pittsburgh Region, already known for its innovation and excellence in healthcare, is now a force in the biotech industry, one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. Here at Carlow, innovation is what drives us. We are partnering with industry leaders who share a vision for the future of Pittsburgh to provide solutions to meet the next great need.
“As an industry expert- Pittsburgh is committed to building the infrastructure needed to support those working in the biomedical and life science fields.”
— Patrick Bailey, BioTech Professional
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to answer any questions or assist you with the next steps.
Explore Your Passion and Empower Global Communities
Welcome to a unique, first-semester educational opportunity that helps you in getting to know yourself better, while helping others. The Carlow faculty have designed this immersive experience so you immediately can apply your learnings in real-world settings to make a meaningful impact. In addition to core curriculum courses that you can apply to most majors, you will spend 4 weeks abroad in Uganda.
Quick facts
- Experience campus living and a structured self-reflection learning program focused on reinvigorating your passions and your purpose in life
- Serve alongside your peers, through service-learning projects in the fields of education, healthcare, social justice and more
- Benefit from onsite counseling to help you discover and process your strengths, interests and skills throughout your experience
- Minister to the needs of Ugandans, igniting your global perspective of the ways in which you can best serve yourself and the world around you
Your Discovery Program experience
On-campus discovery and preparation
You will begin your self-discovery living on Carlow University’s charming, urban campus in the heart of Pittsburgh’s exciting Oakland area.
- First semester courses can be applied to most Carlow undergraduate majors.
- You will be part of a living/learning community on campus during your first semester.
- Service-learning projects will occur locally and internationally.
- A residency fee, billed by Carlow, includes round-trip travel on major U.S. carriers, accommodations, meals, activities, and project materials.
- Financial aid and scholarships may be available for eligible students.
Get Your College Career Off to a Great Start
If you are interested in the Discovery Program, complete this form or contact Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke, at slorourke@carlow.edu or +1 (412) 578-2054.
Service Learning in Uganda (30 days)
Apply what you learned, sharpen your problem-solving skills and make positive contributions through service and volunteer opportunities at Ugandan schools and health care clinics.
One of your guides and mentors abroad will be Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke. She has led study abroad programs for decades and is committed to helping you become immersed in the Ugandan culture with amazing moments and adventures. Alongside Susan will be a counselor available to students, both are trained in healthy relationships, stress management practices and study-abroad protocols.
Serve, Learn & Volunteer
- Volunteer (provide tutoring and engage in fun learning activities) at Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities in Entebbe
- Participate in service projects (plant orchards and tend to school gardens) for Bright Kids Uganda on Lake Victoria Island
- Serve (provide instruction and adapt learning materials for children with disabilities) at Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE) in Opucet
- Assist with vision assessments and distribution of donated eye glasses for seniors and school children
Meet a New Culture
- Hear inspiring life stories from locals, young and old; learn about their history including the effects of living as a British colony and subsequent years of conflict
- Become familiar with local customs and their challenges
- Interact with people living in remote villages without access to electricity, clean water, phones or computers
- Prepare, taste and eat authentic Ugandan food
Take amazing adventures
- Visit the source of the Nile River and go white water rafting
- Take a hike to the tallest waterfall in eastern Africa, Sipi Falls
- Observe animals in their natural habitat on a three-day safari
- Visit Chimpanzee Island
An impactful experience
“I would go back and serve in Uganda in a heartbeat. I wish I had more time there. It had a huge impact on my life after returning and loved the opportunity to be able to have an impact on the lives of those there.”
– Kaylee Goblesky, Carlow University Nursing student
Get Your College Career Off to a Great Start
If you are interested in the Discovery Program, complete this form or contact Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke, at slorourke@carlow.edu or +1 (412) 578-2054.
Program Director
Susan O’Rourke, EdD
Global Center Director
Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke has been working in Uganda for 10 years (since 2012). She has personally selected the comfortable and secure living facilities for the Uganda service-learning program and prearranged secure transportation through established partners in Uganda. Dr. O’Rourke has developed experiential learning and service projects through established partnerships and non-government organizations (NGOs).
Partners such as:
- Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities
- Bright Kids Uganda
- Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE)
- Prime Tower Primary School
Contact the Discovery Program
If you are interested in the Discovery program, and have questions, email us or give us a call. We’re here to help!
Earn a public health degree and make an immediate impact
Help solve a global pandemic, like COVID-19, or promote health justice in your community by earning a degree in Public Health. Carlow University’s bachelor’s in Public Health is designed to equip you with the essential healthcare, business and leadership skills necessary to enter into the rapidly-growing, in-demand public health workforce or pursue graduate studies.
As a public health major, you may choose to focus your studies on community health, epidemiology, public health policy, occupational therapy or physical therapy.
Quick facts
- Learn alongside multiple healthcare disciplines
- Choose the area of focus that makes sense for you
- Graduate career-ready into a rapidly growing, in-demand field of public health
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Delivery:
On campus, some online
Campus:
Oakland
Transfer credits:
Individually evaluated
Public Health major curriculum
Our public health curriculum has been designed to address the current needs of public health organizations with a focus on social and health justice, epidemiologic identification of disparities, and implementation of social, health and political solutions.
10:1
student to faculty ratio
Choose an area of focus
The curriculum has enough flexibility to allow you to customize your studies to fit your career or academic goals.
Community Health
Focus on historical and ongoing development of social policies, support services and health disparities in America’s society.
Epidemiology
Study the patterns and causes of health-related events in specified populations through a scientific, systematic and data-driven lens.
Public Health Policy
Build essential political and healthcare management skills as you examine laws and public policies that have been constructed to address issues surrounding healthcare, race, gender and immigration.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Build a comprehensive, foundation in anatomy, physiology and psychology to prepare you for your studies to become an occupational therapist.
Pre-Physical Therapy
Build a foundation in anatomy, physiology, chemistry and physics to prepare you for your studies to become a physical therapist.
General
Choose your courses across multiple areas of focus to develop a unique academic path right for you.
Not sure which area of focus is right for you? ▸ Compare the tracks
Experiential and interdisciplinary learning (interprofessional education, real-world problem analysis, field placement/capstone project) are built into the public health major curriculum according to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) guidelines.
Field placement locations include: Allegheny County Health Department, Veteran’s Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Health, U.S. Department of Health, and various local, state and federal social services organizations.
Career opportunities for Public Health Majors
The pandemic has emphasized the need for public health services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health jobs are projected to increase 32%.
You will be prepared to pursue a career in public health departments and healthcare systems (regionally, nationally and globally). Job titles include Healthcare Administrator, Social/Human Service Assistant, Client Manager and Care Coordinator.
Admission requirements and application process
- Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
- Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
Apply
anytime
Start terms
Fall, Spring & Summer
Public Health faculty
Michael Kistler, PhD Chair, Department of Public Health
Hannah Hardy Adjunct Lecturer
Caroline Pogge, DPH Adjunct Lecturer
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.
Second Degree Nursing Information Session
Join us for an information session about our Second Degree Nursing program! Learn about the program, its requirements, and a tour of the Simulation lab!
Find your social and behavioral sciences degrees at Carlow
Carlow University offers a variety of social and behavioral science degree programs to prepare you for a career in social work or counseling. You will develop social work skills that can be translated into practice with individuals, families, organizations and communities, and learn the theories of human behavior related to how personality, environment and culture interact with one another to shape an individual.
Program Name
Offered
Degree Earned
Find your science and math degrees at Carlow
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.
Program Name
Offered
Degree Earned
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