Enter the workforce ready to make a change

Studies in the area of Restorative Justice will provide you with a foundational focus in addressing community-based issues pertaining to inequities in the justice system. You will also be introduced to alternate methods for addressing crime-related issues beyond the typical incarceration models most often employed by the United States.

You will be encouraged to consider how race and class affect interactions with the police and court systems. This concentration provides a solid foundation of theory, policy and research to help students become active change agents as they enter the workforce

Restorative Justice concentration curriculum

Students are required to complete the Restorative Justice sequence — Communities, Organizations in Praxis and Race, Class and Justice, as well as two courses from the following:Violence and Victims of Crime, Crime and Mental Health, Prison and Society and/or Juvenile Delinquency. Prior to taking these courses, students must complete Introduction to Social Work and Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Quick Facts

• Students are required to satisfy the requirements for the Social Work or Criminology major
• Concentration requires 12 credits, not including prerequisites
• A minimum of six credits of the selected Restorative Justice courses must be taken at Carlow University

View Plan of Study

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. CSWE administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and reviews. Carlow University’s next accreditation visit will be in 2028.

View or download the following for more information:

• View or download the Bachelor of Social Work field manual [pdf]: contains information and documents specific to the field placement component of the program  
• View or download the Bachelor of Social Work program handbook [pdf]: contains policies, procedures and information about the program
• View or download the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes [pdf] 

Admission requirements and application process

Friedrichs, Jessica

Education  MSW, Community Organizing and Social Administration Specialization, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.MPA, Public and Non-Profit Management Specialization, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.BA, Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa. … Continued

Frank, Marsha

Education PhD, Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.  MSW, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. BA, Psychology, Chatham College, Pittsburgh, Pa.  Research Program evaluation of a girls residential program, Auberle Treatment Center, … Continued

Combine business and social work with a MSW-MBA dual degree

You will be prepared to take on high-level leadership roles when you complete this dual Master in Social Work and Master in Business Administration degree program in as little as three years. 

In this MSW-MBA dual degree program, you will learn to be a competent leader who can meet the challenges of social work. You can be an advocate for the social work profession and the people you serve while having the ability to make effective business decisions. You will learn how to manage employees, interpret data for decision making and develop business plans.

You can specialize in either social work direct practice or social work macro practice.

MSW-MBA dual degree program curriculum

Carlow University’s dual program curriculum combines critical core knowledge in social work and business with MSW courses offered in a low-residency model. A field placement is required.

Bachelor’s in Social Work students from Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs will qualify for application for Advanced Standing in the Carlow MSW. This means that students can earn their MSW by taking 72 credits.

Quick facts

• Choose from direct practice or macro practice social work specializations
• Engage in trauma-focused learning
• Graduate with two master’s degrees

Alternate degree completion options

Online Degree

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

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Master of Social Work program is proud to announce that it has received Initial Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation following the June 2020 program review. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. CSWE administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and program reviews.

Please note that Social Work programs cannot accept life experience or work experience for credit.

Resources

• View or download the Master of Social Work program handbook [pdf]
• View or download the Master of Social Work field manual [pdf]
• View or download the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes [pdf]

Admission requirements and application process

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

Help assess, intervene and manage trauma

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. 

Trauma Psychology degree curriculum

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.

Quick Facts

• Start helping others with local internship options
• Build a foundation for graduate-level studies 
• Collaborate with faculty on research

Alternate degree completion options

3-Year Degree

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.

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.

Admission requirements and application process

Help people in social service and mental health settings

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.

Psychology counseling degree curriculum

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.

Quick facts

• Gain real-world career experience with an internship
• Collaborate with faculty on research
• Prepare for an in-demand career

Alternate Degree Placeholder Title

3-Year Degree

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.

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.

Admission requirements and application process

Small classes promote valuable connections

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.”

Learn how children grow and evolve

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.

BA Psychology curriculum

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. 

Quick facts

• Dig deeper in the study of children’s growth
• Collaborate with faculty on research
• Gain real-world career experience with an internship

Alternate degree completion options

3-Year Degree

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.

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.

Admission requirements and application process

A well-rounded college experience

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.”

Dig into life’s important questions with a Philosophy minor

Studying for a philosophy minor, you will examine and ask the largest and most important of human questions concerning life and the nature of the universe. You will immerse yourself in a critical study of past and present systems of philosophic thought and learn to investigate the truths and principles pertaining to the nature of existence, knowledge, values and conduct. 

With its emphasis on language skills, critical thinking and abstract reasoning, the Philosophy minor has numerous practical applications. It complements majors such as Psychology or Education, and students majoring in Liberal Studies will find the Philosophy minor a superb addition to their other minors.

Philosophy minor curriculum

The minor requires 15 credits, including five courses in philosophy.