Child development psychologists work with children, parents, and teachers to apply the principles of play therapy to help kids become capable and independent individuals. Read more about the benefits about play therapy here.
Re-entry & Resiliency Plan (updated 5/26/22)
Carlow’s trauma Psychology degree will give you a solid foundation in theory and research pertaining to crisis, abuse and trauma. You’ll focus on crisis assessment, intervention and management and study specific issues such as child abuse prevention and treatment, partner violence and the impact of trauma on individuals and families as well.
Bachelor of Arts
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
The Crisis and Trauma track will acquaint you with pre-professional-level trauma and crisis counselor training. In addition to the requirements for the psychology major, you must complete courses in crisis and trauma. You can complete an internship at a local facility or conduct field research.
Graduate-level training is required before becoming a professional counselor.
Finish your bachelor’s degree in three years by following a 3-year academic plan. Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms with summer courses completely online. When applying, indicate your interest in the 3-Year Degree option.
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.
Employment of mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects should be best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
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 will develop a scientific approach to the study of human behavior and experience in Carlow University’s psychology counseling degree program. The Psychology major with a concentration in counseling will give you the pre-professional knowledge and skills needed to help people in a variety of social service and mental health settings, such as therapeutic activities, rehabilitation, casework, child care and service coordination.
Counselors help people with personal, family, educational, mental health, substance abuse and career issues so that they can lead healthier and more productive lives.
Bachelor of Arts
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
This track will acquaint you with pre-professional-level counselor training. You will satisfy the regular requirements for the psychology major plus complete at least 12 credits in counseling. You can complete an internship at a local facility or conduct field research.
Graduate-level training is required before becoming a professional counselor.
Finish your bachelor’s degree in three years by following a 3-year academic plan. Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms with summer courses completely online. When applying, indicate your interest in the 3-Year Degree option.
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.
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects should be best for those with a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Counseling Psychology graduate student Madeline Canel ’22 loves the small classes at Carlow that facilitate a connection with peers and instructors. “The psych program here has incredible faculty, but the best being the core group of women that are the main faces of the program. I always felt incredibly supported by this group. They all knew my name and knew if I didn’t show up to class.”
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 will develop a scientific approach to the study of human behavior and experience in Carlow University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program. As a Child Development Psychology major, you will investigate the biological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive and social factors that shape how humans grow and change. This concentration is helpful if you wish to pursue employment or graduate training in developmental psychology, counseling and fields in which additional knowledge of children’s growth and development is helpful.
By the end of the program, you will be ready to enter training in social service and mental health programs in areas such as therapeutic activities, rehabilitation, casework, child care work and service coordination.
The program provides a foundation for graduate study in psychology and counseling but can be a path to other careers. You can go on to law school or graduate school or work in business, education or other fields.
Bachelor of Arts
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
In the Child Development Psychology major you must satisfy the regular requirements for the major and complete at least 9 credits in human development. You can complete an internship at a local facility or conduct field research.
Finish your bachelor’s degree in three years by following a 3-year academic plan. Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms with summer courses completely online. When applying, indicate your interest in the 3-Year Degree option.
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.
Jobs you might consider with a Child Development Psychology major are child psychologist, career counselor, psychiatric technician, rehabilitation specialist or case manager. As noted on CareerProfiles.com, these jobs require skills a bachelor’s degree in Psychology provides, such as the ability to evaluate the needs of a client, keep accurate and organized records, express empathy and compassion, and work toward the best interests of clients.
Employment of psychologists is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects should be best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Psychology major Morgan Mattie ’21 liked the amount of care and respect shown by Carlow advisors. “I never felt like just another student to them, they always had my best interest in mind and knew me well enough to help me make the best decisions for me. The psychology program is so well-rounded and really helps you understand not only psychology as a whole, but also your specific track.”
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.
Study the various forms of crisis and trauma situations and how to support those in distress through this interdisciplinary minor with Psychology and Social Work. With a minor in Crisis and Trauma, you will focus on crisis situations that may be personal, such as death or assault or community-wide events such as natural disasters or threats to public health.
You will learn about the types of trauma, including acute, chronic and complex trauma as well as vicious or secondary trauma. You will gain an understanding of the physical, psychological and emotional symptoms of traumatic experiences to become better informed and ultimately a more competent professional in your career field of choice.
The minor in Crisis and Trauma is offered to students who are not majoring in Psychology or Social Work. The coursework introduces students to the field of psychological trauma, different forms of abuse and violence, trauma responses and symptoms, and available treatment options and resources.
Elective courses include Psychology courses focused on children and on women, family counseling, substance abuse counseling, parenting, and death and dying.
This minor requires 18 credits.
● The Impact of Trauma
● Crisis Intervention
● Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
● Intimate Partner Violence
The Exploration Psychology concentration within Carlow’s Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program allows you to take a wider breadth of courses across multiple concentrations and programs. You can define a course of study to fit your unique interests.
You’ll have opportunities to explore and develop advanced research and clinical skills to help in your job search, as well as prepare you for future doctoral studies in psychology.
36 credits
$929/credit
As few as 4 semesters
On campus & online
The Exploration Psychology concentration consists of one foundational course (Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology or Educational Psychology) and two elective courses of your choice. The electives can be taken through the psychology, professional counseling, education or social work graduate programs.
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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Students who complete this concentration are prepared to work in direct clinical, human services, research and medical agencies. A doctoral degree is required in order to become a licensed psychologist.
Shannon White ’19, who started at Carlow as an adult student, was impressed with the investment that faculty made in her. “I just had very good faculty interactions in the counseling psychology department. They were very personable and willing to help me. They invested in me. We received a good education in social justice which was really important and has made all the difference in the world in the kind of professional I am. Carlow always addresses culture and not everyone does that.”
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
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.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Carlow made it simple for Mickenna Ansell ’22 to tailor her education to future goals while she was working full-time. “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.”
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.
The Forensic Psychology concentration of Carlow’s Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program will help you learn to use the tools of psychology in a wide variety of criminal and civil legal applications. You’ll develop advanced research and clinical skills that can help in the job hunt as well as prepare you for future doctoral studies in psychology.
36 credits
$929/credit
As few as 4 semesters
On campus & online
The Forensic Psychology degree curriculum focuses on developing research skills through the MAP core subjects and a three-course concentration. Courses include Foundations of Forensic Psychology, Systems of the Criminal Justice System and Psychology of Deviance.
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.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Forensic psychologists look at people, situations and clues to learn more about criminal motivation and behavior. Together with the core MAP Program curriculum, students within this concentration are prepared to work with civil and criminal courts, juvenile and adult probation, prevention and rehabilitation programs, and corrections.
When a local golf course closed, Emily Golling took the lead in preserving the abandoned land as greenspace for others to enjoy. Her Carlow-instilled initiative took leadership by surprise. “I had no idea about her passion until we were conversing over a planned activity,” said Erin Boyles, assistant dean of students. “I should have known, though, because when she wants or feels something is needed, her passion is front row.”
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
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.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
What stuck out most for Rachel Seamans ’21 about Carlow’s Master’s of Psychology program was the engaged faculty. “They 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.”
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.
The CACREP-accredited master’s in addiction counseling will train you to work with adults and adolescents experiencing one or more addictions (alcohol, prescription drugs or illicit drugs) in a variety of community settings, including addiction/recovery centers, community mental health centers, hospitals and employee assistance programs. You’ll be able to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, including addiction, using a variety of interventions and methods.
You will be eligible to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and get the 180 hours of required addiction-specific coursework to become certified as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC).
On this path to a career helping others, you’ll learn about addiction theories, biological factors and co-occurring disorders.
60 credits
$929/credit
As few as 30 months
On campus, some online
You must take a three-course sequence for the Addictions Counseling track in addition to the LPC degree core courses. The courses cover counseling theories, the biological basis for addiction, and counseling clients who have substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.
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.
Employment of substance abuse and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
▸ View the Professional Licensure Disclosure for this program.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in the Department of Psychology, Counseling and Criminology at Carlow University: Addictions Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling through 2029.
The Masters of Professional Counseling (MPC) Program emphasizes high standards of professional competence. The MPC Program is committed to its stated mission through ongoing accreditations by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Counseling Program also emphasizes ethical practice and keeps current with state and national standards for certification and licensure for practice in clinical practice environments. The MPC Program engages in ongoing program development and refinement based on accrediting bodies’ and licensure boards’ developments and recommendations, as well as sensitivity to licensure requirements, and legal and ethical issues.
The graduate program admissions process happens on a rolling basis. You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
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.
Once your application is received, the program director will schedule an interview with you.
Chelsie Crate ’23 chose Carlow for graduate school because she could specialize in substance abuse in the Professional Counseling program, something she hadn’t seen at other institutions. “Carlow received its CACREP accreditation shortly before I began the program, which is a major plus in the counseling realm. Perhaps the most influential factor in my decision was the passion and dedication portrayed by the faculty.”
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.