Becoming a physical therapist entails hard work and dedication. Those who are interested in entering the field need to be aware of the education, time, and steps required to successfully launch a career as a physical therapist.
You can expand your physical science major with a minor in neuroscience. You will study how the functions and mechanisms of the nervous system affect behavior in animals and humans in conjunction with your major studies in biology, chemistry or psychology.
This minor is designed for students not majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and is open to any major. A minimum of 21 credits is required;10 must be taken at Carlow University.
As a Biology major at Carlow University, learn the scientific principles of living organisms, conduct student research, and prepare for your dream career or graduate studies in the healthcare, research or environmental fields.
Some of these concentrations are offered in an accelerated format, giving you the opportunity to graduate with a dual-degree in as few as five years.
You can receive up to $10,000/year through our C-STEM Scholars Program. ▸ Learn more
Bachelor of Science
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
The biology major curriculum covers the entire scope of biological sciences from the structure and function of genes, proteins and cells to the ecology and evolution of organisms. Specializations have been designed to align with your potential career path (cardiovascular perfusion, environmental science & management, human biology).
Before graduating you will have an opportunity to conduct student research or complete a hands-on, professional internship through the senior capstone experience. Both provide an advantage as you pursue a career or graduate studies.
As a Carlow University student, you have the opportunity to pursue a well-rounded liberal arts education full of career-readiness pathways including our honors program, internships, service-learning, study abroad and research.
The Carlow Compass is our general education curriculum that allows you to develop your knowledge and skills as you discover what you want to study or pursue as a career.
Biologists find jobs in such fields as ecology, wildlife and zoology, molecular and cellular biology, and education. A bachelor’s in Biology sets the foundation for graduate programs in the medical fields.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth between 3% and 5% in a range of biological occupations from 2019 to 2029.
You can receive up to $10,000 per year through our C-STEM Scholars program.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
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.
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.
With this science-focused minor, you can enhance your biology background and pursue other career interests. A Biology minor prepares you for such fields as professional writing, business management, communications, psychology and social work. You will be ready for positions within organizations in the medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
You must complete 18 credits, including two required courses and three advanced biology electives (at least two electives must be taken in residence at Carlow University).
You can combine a liberal arts education with hands-on clinical experience with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and track into an accelerated master’s degree program in Cardiovascular Perfusion.
You will learn how to operate the heart-lung machine during surgery. As you work toward your bachelor’s degree in Biology, you will complete requirements at UPMC Shadyside, while beginning your clinical training.
In this accelerated Cardiovascular Perfusion program, you will pursue Biology within the tradition of the liberal arts while accumulating the technical proficiency and professional skills required of health care professionals.
BS to MS
On campus, some online
Oakland
Individually evaluated
You will complete your bachelor’s degree in Biology directly through Carlow University. The Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion is offered in coordination with the UPMC School of Perfusion. Up to 20 students per year are accepted into the master’s program.
Most perfusionists work in medical operating rooms. The American Society for Extracorporeal Technology expects hospitals to hire more perfusionists in coming years to compensate for the aging American population.
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 graduate career-ready with this dual-degree program that offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. You will study how biological processes impact the environment and how to manage environmental issues in this 3+2 program in collaboration with Duquesne University’s Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.
Bachelor of Science to Master of Science
On campus, some online
Oakland & Duquesne University
Evaluated on an individual basis
You will complete required biology/organismal biology and ecological courses in residence at Carlow University. You can apply to the master of science degree program in your third year, and if accepted, complete your fourth and fifth years at Duquesne.
Bachelor of science courses in Biology: Environmental Science and Management include General Biology, Zoology and Animal Physiology. Examples of courses taken in the master’s degree component include Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Toxicology, Air Quality, Business Ethics, Environmental Management and Environmental Law.
With the master’s degree training, you will have the skills required for careers in industry, regulatory agencies, academia and the public policy arena. Job titles may include climate change analyst, environmental restoration planner, environmental science teacher, fish and game warden, industrial ecologist, and soil and water conservationist.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs in this environmental science field to increase 11% from 2014 to 2024.
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.
As a Human Biology major, you will receive a solid foundation in the study of life. Through this holistic and interdisciplinary scientific study, you will examine and understand the complexities of humans through a variety of diverse fields.
Human Biology major studies will prepare you to enter professional training in all areas of health care, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy and podiatry.
Bachelor of Science
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
Two required courses, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, are designed for the biology major preparing for careers in perfusion technology, the health professions or forensic science.
The required genetics course investigates the maintenance, inheritance, transfer and expression of genetic information at the molecular, cellular, organismal and population levels. This course also provides a brief introduction to genetic engineering and biotechnology.
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.
A bachelor’s in Biology sets the foundation for graduate programs in the medical fields. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth between 3% and 5% in a range of biological occupations from 2019 to 2029.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Ready for her future, Olivia Miller says Carlow equipped her with the tools to excel in the next chapter. “Going to Carlow, where it has a smaller, closer community gave me a lot of opportunities to get involved with things that will help me going into grad school. I feel very well prepared. I’d do it again; I wouldn’t change a thing.”
▸ Read Olivia’s story
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.
As a Chemistry major, you will learn the theory and research skills needed by chemists. You will study the composition, structure and properties of substances at the atomic and molecular levels and learn the interactions and transformations of matter, and how to apply this knowledge to develop new and improved products.
Chemical technologies enrich our lives by providing new solutions to problems in health, materials and energy usage and products to enhance our lifestyles. In this program, you will receive hands-on training in the use of the most modern chemical instrumentation that complements and enhances theory taught in the lecture courses.
You can receive up to $10,000/year through our C-STEM Scholars Program. ▸ Learn more
Bachelor of Science
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
The program provides instruction in each of the four major subdisciplines of chemistry: organic, analytical, physical and inorganic.
Laboratory skills are emphasized throughout. The curriculum is consistent with guidelines published by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
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.
Chemistry is touches almost every aspect of our existence. It is essential for meeting our basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, health, energy, and clean air, water and soil.
Chemistry graduates find jobs in a wide variety of areas across industry, academia and government, or go on to graduate or professional school. Job titles for chemists include teacher, chemical technician, clinical research coordinator, quality control analyst, chemical plant and systems operator, and water resource specialist.
Employment for chemists is expected to grow 3% between 2014 to 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
You can receive up to $10,000 per year through our C-STEM Scholars program.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Chemistry graduate Lizzie Shumaker ’18 said individual attention from professors allowed her to gain confidence in course material and laboratory skills. “Carlow’s Chemistry program set me apart from others, especially when interviewing for jobs in my field, because their curriculum offered me hands-on training of the theory and operation of analytical equipment and the presentation skills needed to effectively communicate my research. The laboratory skills I learned at Carlow translated to my career and I am so grateful to have studied chemistry at Carlow.”
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.
If you have an interest in understanding the basics of chemistry and the composition and behavior of matter, a minor in Chemistry is an excellent choice to accompany your chosen major.
A Chemistry minor is also a great selection for one of the three legs of a Liberal Studies major.
The Chemistry minor is open to any major. A minimum of 18 credits is required (four required courses, two elective courses).
Required courses include:
You can deepen your knowledge of pure and applied mathematics while customizing a Mathematics minor to enhance any major field of study.
You will solidify your logic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through this versatile course of study.
This minor is open to any major. A minimum of 20 credits is required.
Carlow offers a diverse set of upper-level electives so you can choose a pure mathematics focus with electives such as Number Theory or Modern Algebra, or an applied mathematics focus with electives such as Differential Equations or Linear Programming.
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, though you can opt to finish it in four. Upon completion, you will meet the curricular prerequisites for Carlow’s graduate-level Health Sciences programs, as well as most health science programs around the country.
Bachelor of Science
On campus, some online
Oakland
Individually evaluated
You will take 16 credits in the fall, 17 in the spring and 9 in the summer, with summer classes being offered completely online. You will gain hands-on experience with practicums, labs and internships.
First-year courses include Introduction to Health Professions, Foundations in Organismal Biology and General Chemistry I. Second-year courses include Introduction to Psychology, Quantitative Reasoning, Communication, Personal to Professional, 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.
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.
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.