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At Carlow University, the next generation of ethical leaders is already in the making.
Here, our students gain more than just a degree – they build connections, find purpose, and thrive – working in ways big and small to reshape the future. With your support, we can continue to invest in these future leaders and expand their ability to transform our world.
How You Can Support
At Carlow University, the next generation of ethical leaders is already in the making.
Here, our students gain more than just a degree – they build connections, find purpose, and thrive – working in ways big and small to reshape the future. With your support, we can continue to invest in these future leaders and expand their ability to transform our world.
How You Can SupportExpand 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.
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Delivery:
On campus, some online
Campus:
Oakland
Transfer credits:
Up to 90 credits
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.
Career opportunities for Healthcare Management
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, employment for medical and health services managers is expected to increase by 32%.
Admission requirements & 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
Healthcare Management faculty
Michael Kistler, PhD Assistant Professor, Business Management
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.
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.
Epidemiology
Study the patterns and causes of health-related events in specified populations through a scientific, systematic and data-driven lens.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Build a comprehensive, foundation in anatomy, physiology and psychology to prepare you for your studies to become an occupational therapist.
General
Choose your courses across multiple areas of focus to develop a unique academic path right for you.
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 Assistant Professor, Business Management
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.
Transform the future of healthcare with an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, sacredness of creation and service, Carlow’s fully Accredited 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.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being.
Quick facts
- Accredited by ACOTE.
- Learn interprofessionally (alongside other aspiring healthcare professionals)
- Become a powerful citizen of justice in society and healthcare
- Prepare yourself to be an innovative leader in healthcare
▸ Read about theCarlow difference [pdf]
Lock in your tuition!
If you plan to start your occupational therapy (MSOT, OTD) degree in Fall 2026, you are eligible to lock in your per-credit tuition rate for your whole program duration as long as you are continually enrolled in the program.
Credits required:
100 credits
Cost per credit:
$950/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 8 semesters
Delivery:
On campus
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).
▸ View or download our program’smission and outcomes [pdf]
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.
Career opportunities for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists, as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association, are skilled health care professionals who use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective.
Ranked one of the best jobs by U.S. News & World Report, OT is slated to grow 14% over the next 10 years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
▸ View or download theoccupational therapy information sheet[pdf]
Admission requirements and application process
At Carlow University, our Occupational Therapy program, uses a holistic admissions process. In this process we evaluate you as a whole person and acknowledge a student’s lived experiences, work, and service initiatives. These areas are specifically given credit during your application process. We look forward to meeting you and guiding you throughout the process.
Applications are open on the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).
▸ View the full list ofadmissions requirements and application process.
Early assurance (conditional admission) for High School students to apply: View our helpful fact sheet [pdf] that offers guidance on the process and requirements.
Apply now!
Start term:
Fall
Program Director Andrea Fairman
Welcome to Carlow University’s Occupational Therapy program—a place where your passion for helping others meets a purpose-driven education. Rooted in the values of Catholic social teaching and inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, our program empowers you to become a compassionate, innovative, and person-centered occupational therapy practitioner. Here, you will develop the skills and confidence to lead in a rapidly evolving health care landscape while remaining grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and equity. As you explore this meaningful career path, know that you are already taking your first step toward making a lasting impact in the lives of others. We can’t wait to support you on this transformative journey.
– Andrea Fairman, PhD, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, DRP, CDI Professor and Program Director
Occupational Therapy faculty
Michael Kistler, PhD Assistant Professor, Business Management
Contact Admissions
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.
Follow us on social media
Accredited Entry-Level Doctoral degree level Occupational Therapy Program
The Carlow University entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program and entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program are FULLY accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
- View or download theProgram Goals and Outcomes [pdf]
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes with regard to graduation rates and NBCOT certification exam results are updated and posted yearly. See the results on NBCOT for School Performance Home page.
Carlow University’s entry-level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program admitted the first cohort in Fall of 2022. Carlow offers both entry level MSOT and entry level OTD programs. Our graduation rate is calculated by comparing the total number of students who began the program in either the MSOT or OTD degree program the total number of students who graduated from those programs. We allow students the opportunity to switch degree programs at the start of the second semester. There may be some fluctuation in the number of students within each degree. In addition, these numbers may include students who graduated out of sync due to medical or personal leave.
The following table represents final OTD degree candidates and graduation rates by year:
| Graduation Year | # of students started | Withdrew for non-academic reasons | # of students graduated | Graduation Rate* | NBCOT Exam New Grad Pass Rate |
| 2025 | 11 | 1 | — | — | TBD |
| 2026 | 4 | — | — | ||
| 2027 | 7 | — | — | ||
| 3-year Total/Average |
*Graduation rate is minus those who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.
Program results from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
Build potential and access to full participation with an MS in Occupational Therapy
Built on the Mercy principles of hospitality, discovery, sacredness of creation, 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 accredited OT program is intentionally integrated with interprofessional experiences and faculty that help prepare you for your future as an occupational therapist.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to transform the future of practice using an occupational justice-informed approach to health and well-being.
Quick facts
- Learn interprofessionally (alongside other aspiring healthcare professionals)
- 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]
Lock in your tuition!
If you plan to start your occupational therapy (MSOT, OTD) degree in Fall 2026, you are eligible to lock in your per-credit tuition rate for your whole program duration as long as you are continually enrolled in the program.
Credits required:
73 credits
Cost per credit:
$950/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 6 semesters
Delivery:
On campus
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
▸ View or download our program’s mission and outcomes [pdf]
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.
Career opportunities for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists, as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association, are skilled health care professionals who use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective.
Ranked one of the best jobs by U.S. News & World Report, OT is slated to grow 14% over the next 10 years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
▸ View or download the occupational therapy information sheet [pdf]
Admission requirements and application process
At Carlow University, our Occupational Therapy program, uses a holistic admissions process. In this process we evaluate you as a whole person and acknowledge a student’s lived experiences, work, and service initiatives. These areas are specifically given credit during your application process. We look forward to meeting you and guiding you throughout the process.
Applications are open on the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).
▸ View the full list of admissions requirements and application process.
Early assurance (conditional admission) for High School students to apply: View our helpful fact sheet [pdf] that offers guidance on the process and requirements.
Apply now!
Application deadline: June 20
Priority deadline: December 1
Start term:
Fall
Occupational Therapy faculty
Michael Kistler, PhD Assistant Professor, Business Management
Contact Admissions
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.
Follow us on social media
Accredited Entry-Level Doctoral degree level Occupational Therapy Program
The Carlow University entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program and entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program are FULLY accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
- View or download the Program Goals and Outcomes [pdf]
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes with regard to graduation rates and NBCOT certification exam results are updated and posted yearly. See the results on NBCOT for School Performance Home page.
Carlow University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program admitted the first cohort in Fall of 2022. Carlow offers both entry level MSOT and entry level OTD programs. Our graduation rate is calculated by comparing the total number of students who began the program in either the MSOT or OTD degree program the total number of students who graduated from those programs. We allow students the opportunity to switch degree programs at the start of second semester. There may be some fluctuation in the number of students within each degree. In addition, these numbers may include students who graduated out of sync due to medical or personal leave.
The following table represents final MSOT degree candidates and graduation rates by year:
| Graduation Year | # of students started | Withdrew for non-academic reasons | # of students graduated | Graduation rate* | NBCOT Exam New Grad Pass Rate |
| 2024 | 11 | 2 | 9/9 | 100% | TBD |
| 2025 | 11 | — | — | ||
| 2026 | 11 | — | — | ||
| 3-year Total/Average |
*Graduation rate is minus those who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.
Program results from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.
Dalessio, Samantha
Education CScD, Medical Speech-Language Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. MS, Speech-Language Pathology, Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, N.Y.BS, Communicative Disorders, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I. Research Effects of … Continued
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