Professional Development
All Psychology students at Otterbein University take a professional development class each semester. The purpose of the course is to prepare students for their next steps after graduation and promote a sense of community among Psychology majors and faculty.
Students learn about the varied and exciting subdisciplines in psychology to help inform their career and graduate school decisions as well as learn how to build a profile on networking websites and craft a resume. Students will hear from outside speakers with differing areas of expertise and attend Otterbein career development events. It is a hand-on experience-based course designed with students’ future in mind.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Professional Development helped me build my confidence in job searching by providing me with resources and giving me the opportunity to work on paperwork like resumes and CV’s that my non-Psych counterparts had limited assistance with. These skills made me stand out as a candidate when I was job searching.
Ila Perlman, ’23
Shelter Operations Lead at Huckleberry House Crisis Shelter
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The opportunity to learn directly from alumni of the Psychology program was incredibly valuable. Hearing firsthand about the diverse paths Otterbein graduates took after earning their degrees helped me better understand the possibilities for my own career. These insights played a key role in shaping my goals and clarifying the direction I wanted to take after graduation.
Jessica Fannin ’20
Senior Manager of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Careers in Psychology
There are significant entry-level positions in psychology and related areas that Otterbein graduates can obtain with a Bachelor’s degree. Our graduates have had excellent success finding appropriate positions immediately following graduation. Many of our students are able to pursue full-time employment by taking advantage of internship and volunteer experiences they complete during their time as students; nearby Columbus provides many excellent opportunities for these experiences.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
My experiences at Otterbein had a profound and positive impact on my career path. My internship experience allowed me to gain practical, hands-on exposure to the field of mental health. It solidified my passion for supporting individuals with their mental health and confirmed my desire to pursue it as a lifelong career.
Jessica Fannin ’20
Senior Manager of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The Canine Ergonomics course introduced me to my current employer. Dr. Laurie-Rose was my advisor and showed a clear investment in my future. She has continued to show support throughout my professional career!
Devin Ortiz ’16
Training Manager, Canine Companions
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Even though none of the faculty had a particular expertise in sport psychology, the flexibility and encouragement of the faculty to create interdisciplinary opportunities is the foundation for how I view the field of psychology … I was able to collaborate with other departments to create a unique experience that matched with my own career goals.
Liz Sanborn ’11
Psy.D. in Combined-Integrated Clinical and School Psychology at James Madison University
Graduate Studies
Some of our students choose to complete Master’s or Doctoral degrees in psychology, either immediately following graduation or several years later. Others obtain advanced degrees in related fields such as social work, student affairs, occupational therapy, art therapy, and law that use the skills and knowledge they have gained in their study of psychology. We strive to provide our students with a broad experience in psychology that will lead them to a successful and rewarding experience in graduate school.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein provided me with the essential foundation I needed for entering grad school. The classes and coursework of the psych department were at times rigorous but now in grad school I find myself struggling less.
Addison Lozinak ’24
Capital University Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein’s Psychology department has prepared me for the graduate school application process by offering me a wide variety of classes that helped me become a well-rounded student. The faculty have helped me through each step with never ending support that has set me up for success. I would have never felt so ready for graduate school without the help of Otterbein’s psychology department.
Lily Whitehair ’25
Northern Kentucky University Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Graduate Early Admissions Pathway
One of the most exciting new benefits available to our students is the Graduate Early Admission Pathway (GEAP). GEAP gives students the chance to get started on an Antioch University graduate degree while finishing their Otterbein University undergraduate degree by taking three graduate courses during their senior year.
Currently, there is one GEAP for psychology majors: Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Grounded in a social justice framework, students in this CACREP-accredited program gain the knowledge, clinical skills, and multicultural competencies needed to support individuals, families, and communities through life’s challenges.
