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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 Support
Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Psychology, Counseling, and Criminology Programs
Are you interested in a career that benefits from a strong understanding of human behavior and mental processes? At Carlow, we prepare students with the knowledge and skills for a wide variety of careers involved in working with people in diverse ways.
Our undergraduate majors provide students with foundational knowledge in psychology, neuropsychology, and criminology, with opportunities to specialize in such areas as Child Development, Counseling, Crisis and Trauma, and Applied Criminal Justice. There are opportunities for field placements or to participate in faculty-led research teams. Can’t decide on one major? We make it easy to double major or add a minor or a concentration to your major, so you can explore all your interests.
At the graduate level, Carlow offers programs that prepare students for careers in mental health-related fields, research, fraud and forensics, and more.
At Carlow, we understand the needs of a diverse student body. Some of our programs can be completed fully online, offering flexibility and opening doors for students who are otherwise unable to pursue a degree. In addition, we offer accelerated pathways that help save students time and money so that they can achieve their goals sooner at a more affordable cost.
$4.9M
Grant awarded to Carlow to support a School-Based Mental Health program
$90k
in stipends available annually to Professional Counseling students
$1.9M
Grant awarded to the Carlow Underserved and Rural Engagement (CURE) program
Faculty & staff
Joshua Bernstein, PhD Professor, Psychology
Mary C. Burke, PhD Professor, Program Director
Clara M. Cheng, PhD Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Professional Development; Director of Undergraduate Psychology Program; Professor
Patricia Jameson, PhD, NBCCH Associate Professor
Alexa Piacquadio, PhD Assistant Professor of Undergraduate Psychology and Master of Arts in Psychology
Joseph Roberts, PhD Professor, Department Chair, Program Director of MA in Psychology and MS in Criminology & Criminal Justice
Fawn T. Robinson, Ph.D., NCC, ACS, LPC Associate Professor & Director, Professional Counseling Programs
Jennifer K. Roth, PhD Professor of Psychology, Counseling, Criminology and Behavioral Neuroscience
Aniela Scanlon, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS Assistant Professor
Jonathan Uhl, PhD Assistant Professor of Criminology, Program Director of Undergraduate Criminology
Shannon White, Psy.D. Assistant Professor & Clinical Coordinator of MA in Psychology
Accreditation
The PsyD in Counseling Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The MS in Professional Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP).
Discover a world of possibilities with an MA in Psychology
The global popularity and growth of psychology has created endless possibilities for careers beyond the traditional psychology setting such as business, education, health and public safety.
Discover your passion through our specially designed curriculum, which offers six guided elective specializations including forensic, educational, assessment, treatment, expressive arts or general exploration. You will collaborate with our supportive and experienced faculty to choose the pathway that helps you become who you want to be.
While our MA in Psychology program serves as a program for those who wish to pursue a career that does not require licensure, it can provide a great pathway to a doctorate as well.
Quick facts
- Learn advanced general and applied psychology principles
- Choose the area of focus that makes sense for you
- Be prepared to pursue a doctorate
Did you know there are personal benefits to studying psychology?1
- Understand yourself better
- Learn about research methods
- Improve your understanding of others
- Become a better communicator
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Help you in your future career
- Learn about human development
- Complement other areas of study
- Develop insight into mental illness
Learn from professionals
Credits required:
36 credits
Cost per credit:
$1,083/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 4 semesters
Delivery:
On campus & online
MA in Psychology Career-focused Curriculum
Taught in a personalized, hands-on learning environment, our master’s in psychology curriculum focuses on advanced general and applied psychology principles, and valuable research and clinical skills that you can immediately apply to your place of work.
Choose the psychology specialization that is best for you
Specialize your psychology courses to fit your career goals and personal aspirations. Each guided elective specialization provides you with the opportunity to learn the theories, skills, tools and treatments for that area.
Therapeutic Arts Psychology
Integrate your passion for the arts and humanities into your psychology coursework.
Assessment Psychology
Use field techniques and tools to develop hypotheses about personality, symptoms, behavior and cognitive ability.
Educational Psychology
Apply psychology skills and knowledge within primary and secondary school settings with a focus on supporting educational needs and reducing obstacles to learning
Forensic Psychology
Explore the psychological factors driving criminal behavior and apply forensic assessment skills within legal and justice system contexts.
Alternate degree completion options
Accelerated
Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.
Online Degree
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Specializations include:
Discover endless career possibilities with an MA in Psychology
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Understanding psychological science and how to apply it is an asset in any career. A psychology degree, from the bachelor’s to the master’s and doctorate degree, helps employees perform in a wide variety of jobs both within and beyond the psychology discipline.”2
The APA identifies the following career paths3:
- Helping businesses
- Helping people improve their lives
- Promoting health
- Protecting the planet
- Serving communities
- Understanding the world around us
- Working in schools
Mickenna Ansell ’22
“The faculty and staff were very easy to connect with and I was able to get professional experience in research and clinical practice with their help. My time at the University prepared me to take doctoral-level classes and work in the field of psychology.”
Rachel Seamans ’21
“They [the faculty] took an interest in us and made sure we succeeded as both students and people. We weren’t just numbers to them. And, we were learning from professionals who were still practicing, not years removed from working in the field.”
Admission requirements and application process
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 from professors or clinical/research supervisors 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
Psychology faculty
Joseph Roberts, PhD Professor, Department Chair, Program Director of MA in Psychology and MS in Criminology & Criminal Justice
Mary C. Burke, PhD Professor, Program Director
Jennifer K. Roth, PhD Professor of Psychology, Counseling, Criminology and Behavioral Neuroscience
Shannon White, Psy.D. Assistant Professor & Clinical Coordinator of MA in Psychology
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.
1 “Why We All Can Learn From Studying Psychology,” Verywell Mind
2 “Working in Psychological Science,” American Psychological Association
3 “Career Paths in Psychology,” American Psychological Association
Schermer, Travis
Education PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision, Kent State University, Kent, OhioMS, Counseling Psychology, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pa.BA, Psychology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio Publications Schermer, T.W., Oliver, A.R., “Too … Continued
Scanlon, Aniela
Dr. Scanlon has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. She has over 20 years of experience in the counseling field both as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and as … Continued
Roth, Jennifer K.
Dr. Roth conducts research with students in her lab examining performance at sound localization for the sport of blind and low vision tennis. Students recruit and conduct research studies in … Continued
Robinson, Fawn T.
Dr. Fawn T. Robinson, NCC, ACS, LPC is an Associate Professor and Director of the Professional Counseling Programs at Carlow University. The Professional Counseling Programs consist of the Masters of … Continued
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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.