Carlow University’s online master’s degree in nursing education and leadership is a convenient and swift path for working nurses to gain the educational and administrative skills necessary to advance their careers.
Accelerate your nursing career through Carlow University’s RN to BSN online program. Prepare to deliver compassionate, high-quality care for all patients.
Make an impact with a nursing degree from the School of Nursing at Carlow University. Learn what you need to know to help others, whether you’re a pre-licensure student, seeking a second degree BSN or on the path to a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. Carlow is central to Pittsburgh’s vibrant and varied health care community. You can also take classes at suburban Greensburg and Cranberry campuses. Many courses are available online as well.
The Carlow University School of Nursing will be hosting an on-site evaluation of the baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)from April 3 to 5, 2024. The purpose of this visit is to achieve re-accreditation of its nursing programs.
In accordance with CCNE’s procedures, the Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, third-party comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation. These qualifacitions can be found in the CCNE Standards for Accreditation (2018).
Written third-party comments regarding the Carlow University nursing programs must be received by CCNE 21 days before the scheduled evaluation or no later than March 13, 2024. Only signed comments are accepted by CCNE. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE’s policy on Conduct of Business in English. CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the visit, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. Please submit comments to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.
Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
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.
35 credits
$918/credit
As few as 27 months
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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
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.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
Also, you must have:
anytime
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.
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.
36 credits
$918/credit
As few as 27 months
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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online certificate option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
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.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
Also, you must have:
anytime
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.
Carlow’s Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as a women’s health gender related nurse practitioner will allow you to promote women’s health issues while also advancing your nursing career.
National workforce data indicates that many women’s health gender related nurse practitioners are nearing retirement age. Carlow University is responding to this critical need by offering the only WHNP graduate program in Western Pennsylvania. This MSN program is leading the way with many regional providers of women’s health care by providing qualified, compassionate and dedicated women’s health gender related nurse practitioners specifically trained to provide obstetrical and gynecological care.
Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat patients as part of a health care team. They may order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications. Women’s health gender related nurse practitioners provide preventive care for women in private practice settings. They may also provide adolescent health care, pregnancy testing, fertility evaluation, prenatal visits, after-pregnancy care and menopausal care.
Carlow’s MSN program is a foundation for doctoral studies and lifelong learning. Upon completion, you will be prepared to take leadership positions in nursing and will contribute to the discipline of nursing through evidence-based practice efforts.
49 credits
$918/credit
As few as 28 months
On-campus (hybrid/twice monthly classes) & online
The program curriculum meets the requirements for national board certification and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure in all U.S. states and territories. Graduates are eligible to sit for board certification as a women’s health gender related nurse practitioner through the National Credentialing Center (NCC). The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
If you have already earned an MSN and are looking to add an additional credential we offer post-master’s certificates in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Upon certificate completion, you are eligible to sit for board certification.
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.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
Also, you must have:
anytime
Fall
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 GRE or GMAT required.
Once your application is received, the program director will schedule an interview with you.
This Boyer Model Application-like project combined efforts of interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate students to improve awareness on common comorbidities that afflict native Jamaican individuals, specifically Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. Student education and patient testing related to these comorbidities may improve quality of living as well as equip them to monitor their current health status via use of donated medical equipment. Subsequent follow-up is planned for Spring of 2025 when another interdisciplinary, international student experience is anticipated to commence.
A multidisciplinary team (consisting of faculty from the Colleges of Health and Wellness and Arts and Science, together with students enrolled in the Family and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner graduate programs provide education and medical evaluation/treatment to the children of Bright Kids Uganda Children’s home and the communities of Oukut, Opucet and Kanyanga in Uganda each summer. This work seeks to improve medical outcomes for all children by preventable disease screening, creating inclusive learning environments, reducing disability and disease through improving access to clean water has context menu.
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.
Make a difference in the lives of individual patients, entire families and communities as a whole and advance your career with Carlow’s Master of Science in Nursing: Family (Individual) Across the Life Span Nurse Practitioner degree.
This program will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed for advanced practice nursing in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, private offices and practices, clinics, private homes and schools.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible for board certification and licensure, and prepared to assume a leadership position in nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing: Family (Individual) Across the Life Span Nurse Practitioner serves as the basis for doctoral studies and lifelong learning.
For your convenience, this program is offered at all four of our campuses (Oakland, Greensburg*, Cranberry* & Online). (*available based on enrollment)
49 credits
$918/credit
As few as 28 months
On-campus (hybrid/twice monthly classes) & online
Our high-tech, learner-centered curriculum focuses on your development towards advanced nursing practice. You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to manage acute chronic conditions, promote health, prevent disease, educate, and provide counseling services to individuals and families across the lifespan.
At the core of the curriculum is teamwork and collaboration, providing you with the opportunity to develop a peer network – a valuable career resource.
Hybrid classes are offered one evening every other week. For all students, clinical practica require clinical hours (600 hours) over the course of the program in a mix of urban and rural healthcare agencies.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for board certification as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
100% ANCC pass rate
95% AANP pass rate
The curriculum for the MSN Family (Individual) Across the Life Span Nurse Practitioner program meets the requirements for national board certification and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
If you have already earned an MSN and are looking to add a credential, we offer post-master’s certificates in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Upon certificate completion, you are eligible to sit for board certification.
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. Growth will occur primarily because of an increased emphasis on preventive care and demand for health care services from an aging population.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
Also, you must have:
anytime
Fall (hybrid and online) & Spring (online program only)
An undergraduate GPA of 3.00 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.
The program director will schedule an interview with qualified applicants.
Tuition reimbursement or discounts may be available through your current employer, contact your employer to learn more.
Theresa MacBlane ’21 said Carlow’s Greensburg campus has been key to furthering her education. “I receive quality instruction from doctoral professors still active in the field without driving to Oakland. The intimate classes allow for more one-on-one instruction and student work groups. Greensburg campus is perfect for working professionals.”
Our full-time faculty are doctorally prepared and board certified. Each practice as nurse practitioners in their specialty, within the community of Pittsburgh and conduct research in both clinical and academic settings.
This Boyer Model Application-like project combined efforts of interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate students to improve awareness on common comorbidities that afflict native Jamaican individuals, specifically Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. Student education and patient testing related to these comorbidities may improve quality of living as well as equip them to monitor their current health status via use of donated medical equipment. Subsequent follow-up is planned for Spring of 2025 when another interdisciplinary, international student experience is anticipated to commence.
A multidisciplinary team (consisting of faculty from the Colleges of Health and Wellness and Arts and Science, together with students enrolled in the Family and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner graduate programs provide education and medical evaluation/treatment to the children of Bright Kids Uganda Children’s home and the communities of Oukut, Opucet and Kanyanga in Uganda each summer. This work seeks to improve medical outcomes for all children by preventable disease screening, creating inclusive learning environments, reducing disability and disease through improving access to clean water has context menu.
Carlow University was approved for a 2.6-million-dollar HRSA Grant with disbursement of funds over the next 4 years ending in 2027. This grant focuses on placing FNP students into medically underserved areas to complete their primary care rotations and a specialty rotation with a focus on women’s and behavioral health. The goal of the grant is to make a BIG IMPACT on students, preceptors, and the underserved population through “Impacting Diversity and Education of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses for Healthy Communities” . Current full time FNP students are eligible to apply for up to $23,000 in tuition reimbursement.
HRSA Grant Faculty
Shannon Robertson, MSN, MBA, CRNP, FNP-C, CMC, Project Coordinator
Linda Burkett, DNP, RN, Clinical Coordinator
Monte Stone, Administrative Assistant
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.
Patient outcomes are better when highly educated and compassionate nurses have a seat at the table. Earning your DNP degree in our low-residency online program with synchronous components, in which you learn alongside others virtually or in-person, offers a unique opportunity to move into leadership roles without disrupting your current nursing career.
You can use your bachelor’s degree from any field to fast track your way into one of the world’s most in-demand professions by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with Carlow’s second degree nursing program.
With this degree in hand, you’ll be sought after by health care entities around the country. Carlow prepares nurses with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Not only is Carlow in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district with close proximity to clinical sites, its strong, reputable nursing program has a high NCLEX pass rate.
The Carlow University Second Degree BSN program gave Matthew McGrogan ’20 the foundation necessary to land his dream job in a cardiovascular ICU.
“This BSN program is perfectly paced because it was created for people who have already earned a degree and are ready to jump right in. I was worried that some classes would feel unnecessary and slow, however, all of the classes we took were fast-paced and gave us the information needed to become well-rounded nurses. The professors took the time to get to know all of us on a one-on-one basis.”
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 32 credits
Carlow’s second degree BSN curriculum is in an accelerated format over 15 months. The program requires 32 credits of nursing support courses and 63 credits of nursing courses, including theory courses, clinical experiences and NCLEX seminars. As a convenience, some courses are offered in 8-week sessions, while others are 16 weeks long.
Clinical nursing experience is an integral part of the program and is completed at various health care agencies in the area.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Earn your second degree in nursing while attending Carlow as a part-time student. View or download a sample plan of study [pdf].
After completing the second degree BSN nursing program, you will be eligible to take the State Board Examination in Nursing (NCLEX-RN) and be prepared to practice as a generalist in a variety of health care settings. Second degree BSN graduates are prepared to practice as generalists in a variety of health care settings, in entry-level nursing positions and nurse residency programs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs for registered nurses will grow 7% from 2019 to 2029 due to an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for health care services from baby boomers.
Carlow’s Nursing: Second Degree program was perfect for Mary Nicola ’20 because she already had a bachelor’s degree.
“I was able to earn my bachelor’s in nursing in a little over a year. Although the program challenged me, I felt very supported by my classmates and professors. The tutors were all great and helped me achieve my academic goals. Carlow also had great options for clinical sites; it helped me reach my goals and prepared me to be a great nurse.
anytime
Fall
If you have specific questions about the program, contact Angela Summer.
If you are interested in this program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
Are you ready to make a difference in health care? As a graduate of Carlow’s highly regarded nursing program, you’ll be able to hit the ground running as a nurse, or take your nursing career to the next level. NCLEX pass rates for graduates of our pre-licensure BSN nursing program are among the highest in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Carlow’s urban location offers opportunities for student involvement in many dimensions of health care.
As you progress through the program, you will learn to think clearly and creatively, pursue intellectual endeavors, and respond ethically in a spirit of cultural competence and social justice. The program serves as a basis for graduate study and a foundation for lifelong learning.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
Carlow’s BSN nursing program requires 120 credits (63 must be completed at Carlow) in the nursing major, general education, support and the liberal arts. You will enroll in the first clinical nursing course the first semester of your sophomore year after successful completion of required support courses. Clinical nursing experience is provided at various health agencies in the area.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
After completing the BSN nursing program, you will be eligible to take the State Board Examination in Nursing (NCLEX-RN) and be prepared to practice as a generalist in a variety of health care settings.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs for registered nurses will grow 7% from 2019 to 2029. Growth will occur because of an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for health care services from baby boomers.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is also available through Carlow’s partnership with Saint Vincent College.
Nursing graduate Tayler Godfrey ’18 said her professor’s passion and dedication was a huge plus. “I had the pleasure of taking Microbiology with Dr. Cianciarulo as the professor and continued working with her on student research. She took a great deal of time, while teaching many courses, to help me better understand microbiology and proper research techniques and was always available to students for questions or concerns.”
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.