As a private, coeducational Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood — Carlow University is devoted to the future of you. Known for nurturing social consciousness, leadership skills, and mercy values through a personalized approach, Carlow provides supports and resources that help you become who you want to be and graduate career-ready.
A Strong Foundation
Carlow’s rich heritage extends back to 1831 in Dublin, Ireland, where Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy to serve the poor, sick, and uneducated. Seven of those gutsy women sailed to Pittsburgh and later founded Carlow University in 1929. Since then, the University has been devoted to making the kind of positive impact for individuals that would change generations to follow. Carlow’s spirit of caring encourages opportunities for personal growth and the belief in what’s possible. And they stick with you every step of the way.
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
Committed to building innovative pathways that prepare its students for successful careers, Carlow provides a personalized learning experience, academic and career counseling, and supportive health and wellness services that meet students where they are. At Carlow, you’ll engage in small classes with faculty who have a laser-sharp focus on teaching excellence so that you’ll not only build your technical skills and competencies, but also grow in skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and adaptability – all highly sought-after workforce traits. Additionally, Carlow programs emphasize experiential learning, so you will have ample opportunities to immediately apply what you are learning. In fact, 96 percent of undergraduate students complete at least one professional work experience before they graduate, and 98 percent of alumni were employed or enrolled in an advanced degree program within six months of graduation.
Signature Programs
Employers and professional schools see the passion and drive that distinguishes Carlow’s students, and they know that Carlow’s mission, values, and Catholic Mercy heritage inspire and prepare its graduates to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It’s no wonder that Carlow is widely recognized as a leader in healthcare and the helping professions.
The University’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art Celtic Simulation Center for Innovative Learning is a simulated hospital environment that allows for clinical experiences on campus. Carlow nursing students have achieved among Pittsburgh’s highest first-time pass rates for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam for eight consecutive years. To support new programs in health sciences, Carlow recently opened a Speech-Language Pathology Clinic and an Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Teaching & Learning Laboratory, which includes a fully functional home health apartment for student and client training. Carlow is also home to one of 20 cardiovascular perfusion programs, and the only behavioral neuroscience with intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) program, in the country.
Students majoring in education have classes in the Campus Laboratory School, where they work alongside veteran teachers and PreK-8th grade students right on campus. Psychology majors can focus studies on child development, counseling, or crisis and trauma, each featuring course content seen only at the graduate level at many other institutions. Social work students will participate in a one-year, agency-based field placement and at least 50 hours of volunteer service so they graduate with hands-on, real-world experience.
50+ Programs
Among its more than 50 undergraduate programs, Carlow has also carved a niche in the creative arts with a well-known creative writing program and blossoming art program, including art therapy preparation. Carlow even has an art gallery on campus – the only art space in the Pittsburgh region dedicated to art and social justice.
Carlow is also excited to launch several new majors: Computer Science, Esports Business Management, and Secondary Education.
Best of Both Worlds
Carlow is situated in Oakland, Pittsburgh’s “Eds, Meds, and Tech” district, on a 14-acre park-like campus complete with hidden gardens and a gentle waterfall. Students often describe the campus as an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city neighborhood yet appreciate the convenience of vibrant dining and entertainment options, world-class museums, spacious parks, and an exciting professional sports scene at its doorstep. Students can get around easily with Carlow’s U-Pass program, which gives you access to unlimited fare-free rides on many of Pittsburgh’s transit systems.
Experience the Difference
Carlow’s friendly Celtic Ambassadors, knowledgeable faculty, and helpful enrollment counselors are eager to connect with you and share more about the Carlow experience, its academic programs, admissions process, and generous scholarship and financial aid offerings. Go to carlow.edu/visit to schedule a campus visit today!