The Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate allows students who already have a Master’s of Science in Nursing to be certified as nurse practitioners for individuals and families. The post-master’s certificate will prepare you for advanced practice nursing in home health agencies, physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, family health centers, and clinics in both urban and rural communities.

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to be certified as family/individual nurse practitioners across the life span.

As a certified nurse practitioner, you’ll diagnose and treat acute, episodic or chronic illness, working with a physician and as part of a health care team. Nurse practitioners may order, perform or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and X-rays and may prescribe medication.

A Carlow students sits at her desk with her laptop. Her hands are folded and she is smiling at the camera.
Credits required:

36 credits

Cost per credit:

$918/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 27 months

Delivery:

On campus or online

You will complete 36 course credits as well as 600 clinical hours, which may take place in a variety of urban and rural health care agencies in the Pittsburgh region.

Quick facts

A family nurse practitioner student leans on a table in our simulation lab. A simulation dummy is pictured in the background.

Online Certificate

Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.

Career opportunities for Family Nurse Practitioners

Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


75 Years of Nursing Excellence

For 75 Years, Carlow University’s School of Nursing has been dedicated to educating and empowering nurses who make a significant impact on healthcare as clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers. As we look to the future, Carlow University remains devoted to creating ethical leaders who strive to build a more just and merciful world.


You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation  (one must be from a supervisor)  that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work

Also, you must have:

  • A current, valid and unrestricted license as a registered nurse
  • Completed an approved undergraduate statistics course
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall & Spring

An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success. No GRE or GMAT required. 

Once your application is received, the program director will schedule an interview with you.

If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps.

The Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate allows students who already have a Master’s of Science in Nursing to be certified as nurse practitioners for women’s health. The post-master’s nursing certificate will prepare you for advanced practice nursing in OB/GYN offices, hospital-based women’s clinics, inpatient prenatal and postpartum settings, and clinics in both urban and rural medically underserved communities.

Graduates are eligible to be certified as women’s health nurse practitioners across the life span.

Once certified, women’s health nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings where they provide preventive care such as well-woman exams, breast cancer screenings, Pap tests or contraceptive care. WHNPs may also provide adolescent health care, pregnancy testing, fertility evaluation, prenatal visits, after-pregnancy care and menopausal care.

A Carlow students sits at her desk with her laptop. Her hands are folded and she is smiling at the camera.
Credits required:

35 credits

Cost per credit:

$918/credit

Time to completion:

As few as 27 months

Delivery:

On campus or online

You will complete 35 course credits as well as 600 clinical hours, which may take place in a variety of urban and rural health care agencies in the Pittsburgh region.

Quick facts

A nursing student in a gray blazer leaning on a railing on Carlow University's campus, near Fifth Avenue.

Online Certificate

Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.

Career Opportunity

Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


75 Years of Nursing Excellence

For 75 Years, Carlow University’s School of Nursing has been dedicated to educating and empowering nurses who make a significant impact on healthcare as clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers. As we look to the future, Carlow University remains devoted to creating ethical leaders who strive to build a more just and merciful world.


You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation  (one must be from a supervisor) that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work

Also, you must have:

  • A current, valid and unrestricted license as a registered nurse
  • Completed an approved undergraduate statistics course
Apply

anytime

Start term:

Fall

An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success. No GRE or GMAT required.

Once your application is received, the program director will schedule an interview with you.

If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps.

You’ll learn to keep patients safe during surgeries in the challenging and rapidly growing field of behavioral neuroscience with the Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring concentration. 

You will gain an in-depth understanding of the functioning and anatomical structures of the nervous system through this major. You will be trained to be a surgical neurophysiologist, monitoring neurolophysiological signals from the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and nerves in real time to protect the nervous system during surgery.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been shown to significantly reduce the occurrence of neurological damage during high-risk surgeries in adults and children.

Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Up to 90 credits

The Behavioral Neuroscience major is an interdisciplinary program in neuroscience, building upon the strengths of Carlow University’s biology, psychology and chemistry programs. You will complete the IONM concentration with instructors at the UPMC Procirca Center for Clinical Neurophysiology. Job shadowing at UPMC.

Candidates must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, meet UPMC Procirca Center for Clinical Neurophysiology’s admission requirement and Carlow University’s prerequisites for approval and recommendation. They must also be recommended by a science faculty member and/or advisor. 

Quick facts

  • Experience highly specialized hands-on training
  • Observe and assist in up to 100 surgical cases
  • Accumulate the clinical hours necessary to take the ABRET’s Certification in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM) Exam to be a certified surgical neurophysiologist

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 Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring

This bachelor’s program is the only one of five IONM programs listed by ASET, The Neurodiagnostic Society, to offer a BS degree that leads to a career in intraoperative neuromonitoring. Graduates can find employment in hospitals, health care companies, specialized sleep and epilepsy labs, education, academic and industry research, and industry sales.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19% growth in the number of neurophysiologists in the U.S. is predicted from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all health occupations.

Companies that have hired our grads include UPMC Procirca, NuVasive Clinical Services, The Neuromonitoring Group, Medsurant, Computational Diagnostics Inc., and Surgimon.


  • Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
  • Must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative high school or 3.50 cumulative college GPA. 
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

Camryn Resele
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

Neuroscience program taught me how to make an impact

Camryn Resele ’21 said Carlow taught her how she can make an impact on someone’s life, whether it’s in the operating room or just passing another employee or visitor in the hospital’s hallway.

“Being that the IONM tract was so new at Carlow, I was leery of what my future career path might look like. My mind was almost instantly put to ease when I began clinicals and was able to use the education I received from Carlow and its Behavioral Neuroscience program and apply it to my field of work.”

— Camryn Resele ’21

If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

You can build the skills needed to become a dynamic leader responsible for overseeing management of small- and large-scale health organizations with a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management from Carlow University. You’ll build the exceptional, organizational, financial and communication skills necessary for success in this field.

You’ll learn the ins and outs of strategic planning, project and inventory management and patient administration and cultivate an understanding of management practices and professional standards, as well as finance and ethical leadership.

Upon completion of the Healthcare Management certificate program, you will be prepared to work for doctor’s offices and in hospital administration. Health care professionals who seek this degree are often looking to move up in hospital organizations.

why health care field needs more diversity
In Grace Library, spanning the third and fourth floor of the University Commons, there are numerous quiet spaces and study rooms for individuals and groups to use.
Credits required:

12 credits

Cost per credit:

$1,046/credit

Time to completion:

As few as 12 months

Delivery:

On campus or 100% Online

The Healthcare Project Management course covers concepts and strategies to facilitate effective project management, including project selection and initiation, identifying teams and time management. In Healthcare Innovation and Quality, you will learn about innovations in health promotion, disease prevention and patient safety; you will examine measurement systems, data collection and medical informatics usage. Fiscal Management focuses on managerial accounting, cost analysis and budgeting.

Quick facts

  • Build an understanding of fiscal management in health care
  • Give your health care career a competitive edge
  • Apply earned credits toward an MBA degree
Happy smiling african doctor looking at camera in medical office. Portrait of black man doctor working on laptop in modern hospital. Confident and reliable mature nurse using computer to analyze medical report of patient.

Career opportunities for Healthcare Management

The skill set developed in the graduate certificate in Healthcare Management program will amplify your earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for medical and health services managers is slated to grow 32% over the next 10 years.


You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work

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.

Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps.

Carlow’s unique interprofessional curricular design will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to enter into professional practice as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist working in any clinical environment.

What makes Carlow’s program different?

Carlow’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is committed to interprofessional collaborative education and was inspired by the view that effective team collaborations improve the quality of clinical service delivery. 

Students will train to prevent, assess, and treat communication and swallowing disorders within a learning environment comprised of faculty, clinical educators, and students from several different professions including:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Physician Assistant
  • Respiratory care therapy

Students will learn the value of interprofessional collaborative practice in leading high-quality, evidence-based, person-centered care across a variety of communication and swallowing disorders.

Credits required:

60 credits

Cost per credit:

$998*/credit

Time to degree:

5 semesters

Delivery:

On campus

*Additional University Fees as well as software and textbook costs are not included in the 2025-2026 scheduled credit cost and fees

Voice & Aerodigestive Disorders Specialization

The new specialization track within the Master’s in SLP program at Carlow University offers advanced training in voice, head and neck cancer, breathing disorders, and swallowing assessment (FEES). This pathway is designed for students pursuing medical SLP careers and seeking a competitive edge for externships and clinical fellowships.

For more information, contact Jackie Gartner-Schmidt at Carlow University at jlgartner-schmidt@carlow.edu.


How will I gain clinical skills?

Carlow’s program is different from other graduate programs in speech-language pathology because of its focus on the development of clinical skills. Beginning in your first semester, each of your core courses will be accompanied by a dedicated skills laboratory to ensure you are able to translate theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom into hands-on practical clinical skills under the mentorship of program faculty. In addition, you will advance your clinical skills through a variety of learning platforms including: 

  • Safe and supportive lifelike simulated case scenarios
  • Access to both on-campus clinic and school-based settings
  • Local and out-of-state outpatient, healthcare, and school-based externship settings

Students will use various labs and campus facilities including:

What is the Carlow experience?

Carlow places high value on a teaching-learning climate of compassion, mutual respect, professionalism, and ethical accountability as these elements are fundamental to cultivating a higher level of professional practice. The program is dedicated to providing transformational educational experiences through innovation, close faculty mentorship, diverse learning experiences, and interprofessional collaborations. 

Career Opportunity for Speech-Language Pathologists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for speech-language pathologists, a job that often requires a master’s degree, is expected to grow 29% over the next 10 years, largely driven by the medical needs of an aging population.


As of July 15, 2025, Carlow University is accepting applications for review for Fall 2026 matriculation. All applications should be submitted and verified on or before February 1, 2026 through CSDCAS, a centralized application service endorsed by the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Science and Disorders (CAPCSD). No additional application materials should be sent to the program.

Apply by:

Priority deadline: Feb. 1

Start term:

Fall semester

Department of Speech-Language Pathology

Application Open: March 15
Applications Closes: May 1
Interview Invitations: May 1-May 14
Decisions: May 15 
Amount: $10,000 tuition remission

  • Two (2) graduate assistantships are offered through the Department of Speech-Language Pathology.
  • Each graduate assistantship is for a 1-year appointment (Fall and Spring semesters).
  • Students are required to work 5 hours per week for 16 weeks in the Fall semester and 16 weeks in the Spring semester.
  • Each assistantship provides $10,000 tuition remission for the appointed year.
  • Any student accepted into the Carlow M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Program may apply for one of the assistantships.
  • The primary activities for this position are to support faculty members with research activities, provide general support and assistance with administrative type work, and perform duties for special projects and initiatives. 

Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald, RSM PhD Speech-Language Pathology Scholarship

The Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald, RSM PhD Speech-Language Pathology Scholarship Fund was created in 2023 in honor of Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald, RSM PhD and her rich legacy at Carlow University. As a Sister of Mercy, Sister Rita Alice Fitzgerald joined the Carlow community in 1956. In 1964, she was appointed to be the first Chairperson of Carlow’s Department of Speech Pathology and served until 1989. She had a remarkable career as a speech-language pathologist with numerous awards and honors including one of the highest professional honors, Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has been described as a person of integrity and honesty, who devoted herself to Carlow’s mission. She was an inspiration to all and a pioneer in providing transformational educational opportunities. Any student accepted into the Carlow M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Program is eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Application Open: March 1
Applications Closes: April 15
Decisions: May 1

Carlow University Endowed Scholarships

Carlow University offers a variety of endowed scholarships. These opportunities are available in late Spring and awarded in early summer. Watch your email for more information to come.

Carlow University-Wide Graduate Assistantships

Carlow University offers variable university-wide graduate assistantships. Students will be informed when these opportunities are available.

Other Scholarships and Awards Resources

For more information regarding financial aid, please click here and/or contact your assigned financial aid advisor.

Camree Nelson, a gradate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program, and first-generation college student, on the fourth floor of University Commons, Friday, October 15, 2021. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)

‘This Could Be It’: SLP Alum Paula Schultz on Finding Her Path at Carlow Carlow for unique program

If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an enrollment event.

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

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Carlow University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. 

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.

Start your application today! To get started, view or download our admissions policy for detailed admission requirements and application process (not all documents are necessary to start your application).

If you have any questions throughout the process or need guidance, our PA enrollment counselor, Kate Throckmorton, is here to help. You can reach her by email: kjthrockmorton@carlow.edu.

Final Deadline

  Apr. 1

Priority Deadline

Oct. 1

Black smiling male doctor look in camera in front of patient lying in bed and communicating with therapeutist. Surgeon or traumatologist, physical test, excellent education, polite personnel concept
Credits required:

102 credits

Cost per credit:

$1,007/credit

Time to degree:

6 semesters

Delivery:

On campus

Students progress through the physician assistant curriculum as members of a cohort in three phases: didactic, clinical experience and transition to practice. Interprofessional collaboration, a founding concept of the physician assistant profession, is at the core of each phase; providing students the opportunity to learn collectively with multiple healthcare disciplines. This collaborative education experience encourages meaningful alliances and ultimately prepares students to practice high-quality clinical care as a member of a healthcare team. 

Learn in our simulated hospital environment

The Celtic Simulation Center for Innovative Learning (CSCIL) is a simulated hospital environment designed for student experiential learning. Primarily during the didactic phase, physician assistant students, alongside other healthcare disciplines, experience predetermined scenarios to practice clinical decision-making, diagnosis, procedures, and patient communication and interaction in a safe and realistic environment.

Curricular phases

  • Phase 1: Didactic: An intense period of instruction meant to impart clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes in preparation for clinical practice
  • Phase 2: Clinical experience: An experiential phase of education whose purpose is to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for patient care in a supervised environment, includes:
    • 8 clinical rotations in areas including family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral medicine, women’s health, pediatrics and one additional rotation
    • 5 weeks, full-time (average of 40 hours per week)
    • Sites are practices and healthcare systems located in southwestern Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, as well as across the country
  • Phase 3: Transition to practice: The final period of the formal education program intended to prepare graduates for successful entrance into the profession and clinical practice
Woman in lab coat and gloves in Carlow's simulation lab at a table.
Destiny Ray, a family nurse practitioner graduate student, demonstrates suturing during a lab class in Curran Hall, Wednesday, November 17, 2021. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)

Rotation disciplines

  • Family medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Emergency medicine
  • Surgery
  • Behavioral medicine
  • Women’s health
  • Pediatrics
  • One additional rotation

What is a Physician Assistant?

“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)

Additional resources can be found on the AAPA website including the history of the profession, scope of practice and ethical conduct.

Positive job outlook & lucrative salary

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. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PA jobs are projected to rise 30% through 2028 with a median pay of $112,260.

A number of state and national organizations provide PAs with advocacy, education, and support including:

Program information, outcomes & policies

View or download the following files:

Required program policies for applicants:

View or download the following policies:


If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.

Sitting at a table, a hand is holding a pen over accreditation papers.

ARC-PA accreditation status

At its September 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Carlow University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Carlow University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2026. 

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC- PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation – Provisional or Accreditation – Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

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

The College of Health and Wellness and Carlow University fully support the Physician Assistant Program and are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). We remain committed to student success and delivering a high-quality program.

Get on track to become a Speech-Language Pathologist: 3-Year Degree 

You can prepare for graduate-level studies and a career in health care with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Speech-Language Pathology from Carlow University. You will gain hands-on experience; learn the skills needed to become a compassionate, responsible, ethical leader; develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to provide the best in patient care; and learn to work as part of a team.

The program is designed to be completed in three years. Upon completion, you will meet the curricular prerequisites for Carlow’s graduate-level Speech-Language Pathology program, as well as most SLP programs around the country.

Katie Schaefer, left, kindergarten teacher, stages a photograph to demonstrate speech pathology with Zoe Shaffer, at the Campus Lab School, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)
Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Evaluated on an individual basis

Pre-Speech-language pathology curriculum

First-year courses include Foundations of Cell and Molecular Biology, Foundations of Organismal Biology Introduction to Health Professions, Foundations of Writing I, Introduction to Psychology, Life Span Developmental Psychology, and Quantitative Reasoning. Second-year courses include Physics of the Human Body, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Basic Applied Statistics, Introduction to Audiology, Phonetics, Speech and Hearing Sciences, and Communication and Reading Development. Third-year courses include Pathophysiology, Pathology for Rehabilitation, Biomedical Ethics, Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Cognitive Psychology, and Epidemiology.

Quick facts

  • Save money and time by fast-tracking your education
  • Give your health care career a competitive edge
  • Be prepared for graduate-level studies
Speech therapist working with little boy in office

Career opportunities for Pre-Speech Language Pathology

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for speech-language pathologists, a job that often requires a master’s degree, is expected to grow 25% over the next 10 years, largely driven by the medical needs of an aging population.


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.
  • Must have a minimum 3.250 cumulative high school or college GPA.
Apply

anytime

Start term:

Fall

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Health Sciences faculty

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

Get on track to become a physician assistant: 3-Year Degree

Carlow’s Pre-Physician Assistant program positions you to become a PA faster. By accelerating your undergraduate studies, you’ll be ready to continue on to a master’s degree or pursue employment in a health-related field sooner.

Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons and other health care professionals. As a physician assistant, you will examine, diagnose and treat patients, often serving as a patient’s principal health care provider. PAs typically need a master’s degree from an accredited program to practice.

In this program, you will develop compassionate and responsible leadership traits and learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in the field. 

Upon completion, you will meet the curricular prerequisites for admission consideration into Carlow’s Physician Assistant master’s program, as well as most Physician Assistant programs around the country.

Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland Campus

Transfer credits:

Evaluated on an individual basis

Health Sciences: Pre-Physician Assistant curriculum 

Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms. All summer courses are available completely online. The program includes labs, internships and a practicum. 

First-year courses include Introduction to Health Professions, Foundations in Cell and Moecular Biology, Foundations in Organismal Biology, Pre-Calculus, and General Chemistry I and II. Second-year courses include Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Introduction to Psychology, Organic Chemistry I and II, Quantitative Reasoning, Basic Applied Statistics Communication, Personal to Professional Communication, and Global Health (Service Learning/ Ethics/Social Responsibility). Third-year courses include General Physics I, Pathology for Rehabilitation, Cognitive Psychology, and Communication and Health Care. 

Quick facts

  • Save time and money
  • Gain a direct path to a physician assistant master’s program
  • Find earlier entry into an in-demand physician assistant position or immediate employment in a health-related field

Career opportunities for physician assistants

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 30% through 2024. Licensed PAs are versatile and able to work in various health-related fields including offices of physicians, general medical and surgical hospitals, and outpatient care centers.


Admission requirements and application process

  • Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
  • Must have a minimum 3.250 cumulative high school or college GPA. 
Apply

anytime

Start term:

Fall

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Health Sciences faculty

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

The Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy from Carlow University will prepare you for graduate-level studies or to work in the health care field. You will gain hands-on experience; learn the skills needed to become a compassionate, responsible, ethical leader; develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to provide the best in patient care; and learn to work as part of a team. 

The Pre-Physical Therapy major is intended to be completed in three years. Upon completion, you will meet the curricular prerequisites for Carlow’s graduate-level Physical Therapy program, as well as most Physical Therapy programs around the country.

Three students look at a computer screen. One is pointing. They are all smiling.
Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Evaluated on an individual basis

First-year courses include Introduction to Health Professions, Foundations in Cell and Molecular Biology, Foundations in Organismal Biology, Pre-Calculus, and General Chemistry I and II. Second-year courses include Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Introduction to Psychology,  Quantitative Reasoning, Basic Applied Statistics Communication, Personal to Professional Communication, Medical Terminology, and Global Health (Service Learning/ Ethics/Social Responsibility). Third-year courses include General Physics I and II, Pathology for Rehabilitation, Pathophysiology, Cognitive Psychology, Eoidemiology, and Communication and Health Care.

Quick facts

  • Save time and money by fast-tracking your education
  • Prepare yourself for graduate-level studies and an in-demand career
  • Gain hands-on experience through practicum courses
Female Patient Working With Physiotherapist In Hospital

Career opportunities for Pre-Physical Therapy

With a bachelor’s in Pre-Physical Therapy from Carlow University, you will be ready to pivot into graduate-level studies to become a physical therapist or move elsewhere in the healthcare world.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for physical therapists is expected to increase 18% over the next 10 years, largely driven by the medical needs of an older population.


  • Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
  • Must have a minimum 3.250 cumulative high school or college GPA. 
Apply

anytime

Start term:

Fall

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If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

Get on track to become an occupational therapist: 3-Year Degree

You can prepare for graduate-level studies or move into work in health care with a Pre-Occupational Therapy 3-Year Degree from Carlow University. In this fast-track program, you will establish a working knowledge of Occupational Therapy and learn critical thinking and leadership skills.

Upon completion, you will meet the curricular prerequisites for Carlow’s graduate-level Occupational Therapy program, as well as most Occupational Therapy programs around the country. 

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Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Evaluated on an individual basis

Pre-Occupational Therapy degree curriculum

The Pre-Occupational Therapy program allows you to take courses in fall, spring and summer, with summer courses offered completely online. 

First-year courses include Introduction to Health Professions, Introduction to Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Foundations of Cell and Molecular Biology, Foundations of Organismal Biology, Quantitative Reasoning, Foundations of Writing I, and Contemplation and Action. Second-year courses include Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Introduction to Sociology, Physics of the Human Body, Life Span Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. Third-year courses include Pathology for Rehabilitation, Pathophysiology and Clinical Kinesiology, General Chemistry I, Microbiology, Epidemiology, and Communications in Health Care. The program also includes practicums, labs and internships.

Quick facts

  • Save time and money with a shorter program
  • Enter the workforce or pursue graduate studies faster
  • Attain the curricular prerequisites for graduate study at Carlow
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Career opportunities for Pre-Occupational Therapy

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for occupational therapists is slated to grow 16% over the next 10 years.


Admission requirements and application process

  • Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
  • Must have a minimum 3.250 cumulative high school or college GPA. 
Apply

anytime

Start term:

Fall

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Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

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Carlow University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Jackie smith at jmsmith@carlow.edu or 412-578-6050.