WE ARE preparing you for your future.
We are a smarter way to learn. We have been since day one.
- A ground-breaking Integrative Studies curriculum.
- National recognition for excellence in undergraduate teaching.
- Commitment to experiential, immersive learning.
- A comprehensive four-year program preparing you to design goals, build a career plan, and map your future.
Learn how you’ll develop more of your potential with some of higher education’s boldest initiatives.
Great Teaching is an Institutional Priority at Otterbein

My advisor, Dr. Corroto is without question my greatest mentor. I wouldn’t be on the path I am today without her by my side.
Shay Locke ’22
– Sociology major, Criminology and Legal Studies minors
What does it mean to have
A TRUE MENTOR
who is invested in your future?
It’s one thing for a professor to know your name. It’s another thing for a professor to spend time understanding your potential, coaching you through successes and that bad quiz result, and figuring out what comes next in life. Faculty-student collaboration like this starts from day one at Otterbein.

I want to make sure that everybody has the attention they deserve when they come to Otterbein. It’s knowing what each student needs, and each student needs something different.
Dr. Carla Corroto
– Professor of Sociology
U.S. News & World Report rankings put Otterbein #7 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, Regional Universities Midwest. Learn more >

I really want to get to know my students so I can find their passions, what their interests are, and get them to where they want to be.
Robert E. Braun, Ph.D., MPH, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
– Associate Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
At Otterbein, professors are more than teachers — they’re mentors who invest in you on an individual basis. These kinds of connections are really valued at Otterbein. That means you’ll feel just as supported in your day-to-day work as you will in figuring out the big goals and your plans for the future.
What does it feel like to know
YOU ARE VALUED
as a student?

Dr. Braun knows me very well — professionally, academically, and personally. He knows my passions and my interests and was an advocate for me. I’ve always felt holistically valued.
Tonia Dunson-Dillard ’20, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
– Public Health Education and Psychology double major, Health Communication minor
The strength of student-faculty interactions, both in and out of class, is just one of the factors that earned Otterbein the highest marks from our first-year and senior students in the National Survey of Student Engagement. Check out those areas of excellence below!
You can also meet some of our students’ favorite professors by clicking on their photos. Be sure to check out the rest of our Student/Faculty Selfies >
Priscilla Severence, Junior, Exercise Science with Dr. Kim Fischer, Health Programming & Sport Sciences
“Dr. Fischer goes above and beyond to help students understand difficult content. I’m so grateful for all the hard work she has put into her students!”
DISCUSSIONS WITH DIVERSE OTHERS
Diversity and inclusion are more than just words here. Students engage with peers from different races, economic backgrounds, religions, and political interests.
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
Otterbein students work together, rather than competing for the highest grade.
Gabe Sharrock, First-year, Undecided with Professor Moore, Mathematics & Actuarial Sciences
“Professor Moore is one of my favorite teachers because he makes sure to emphasize material that will be helpful to us in the future.”
Phanawn Bailey, Junior, Finance with Dr. Kim, Business, Accounting & Economics
“Dr. Kim is a great, ambitious instructor who inspires global perspectives along with his love of cheeseburgers. He provides great lecture discussions.”
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
It’s not just faculty that care about student success. Students are supported in and out of the classroom at Otterbein.
STUDENT-FACULTY INTERACTIONS
Otterbein faculty know more than their students’ names, they know their dreams, strengths, and areas of growth.
Brittany Katona, Junior, Early Childhood Education with Dr. Carrie Scheckelhoff, Education
“One of my biggest supporters is my advisor, Dr. Carrie Scheckelhoff. Her passion for education is contagious. I always leave her classes feeling prepared to teach.”
*National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Spring 2020 Results.
WE ARE teachers, mentors, and guides.
WE ARE innovators in educational excellence.

Fifty years ago, Otterbein led the nation with its ground-breaking Integrative Studies (INST) curriculum.
What we created here — and how it continues to evolve — is regarded as one of the best models for general education curriculum. The country’s experts have said it’s the way colleges should teach. Our alumni say it made all the difference in how prepared they are to succeed in the workplace.
Otterbein is intentional — especially when it comes to academics. This means there is a reason we do everything we do. But it’s more than a brilliant, purposeful curriculum at Otterbein. It’s not just what you learn — it’s how you learn, too.
Otterbein’s 21st century INST curriculum ensures students are equipped as well-rounded leaders who know how to take risks, work with others, and ask the right questions to solve problems.
EVERY STUDENT WILL be prepared to realize their future career success.
From day one at Otterbein, you will have courses, people, opportunities, and experiences designed to give you the know-how, the connections, and the tools to start to build your future. We will guide you through a comprehensive, four-year program that means you will graduate with a custom career plan.

EVERY STUDENT WILL
have advisors and mentors help you design professional goals.
You will work with your own team of advisors and faculty mentors to build academic and professional goals, and you will explore career options that align with your talents and interests.


EVERY STUDENT WILL
graduate with at least one professional, immersive experience.
Immersive experiences give you the chance to put your knowledge to work. Choose from five focus areas to support your career plan and grow your knowledge and skills.

EVERY STUDENT WILL
be ready to map their future success with a custom career plan.
You’ll leave Otterbein with the training, guidance, and knowledge you need to be career ready. You’ll have the confidence, power skills, and experience to actualize the career you want.


EVERY STUDENT WILL
also benefit from more opportunities, including:
> Academic and career mapping.
> Informational interviews.
> Career conference covering networking, personal branding, and more.
> Financial literacy training.
> Workplace culture.

WE ARE hands-on with learning at Otterbein.
At Otterbein, an education isn’t something you receive — it’s something you experience. Whether you choose one life-changing experience or a series of them, our students find clarity and confidence in their capabilities through professional experiences in five focus areas. Explore each below.
WE ARE committed to your success.
There are plenty of notable accomplishments and national recognition that make Otterbein proud. However, what we value most – without a doubt – is the success of our students. What you learn and how you learn at Otterbein is different, and it will prepare you for the opportunities that are waiting for you after graduation.

Even during a pandemic
96% of the Class of 2020
reported that they were either
EMPLOYED or
IN GRADUATE SCHOOL
within six months of graduation.
WE ARE the leaders of the future.
Meet a few of the Cardinals from the Class of 2021 who — like the rest of their classmates — have bright futures ahead of them.
Jarrod
JARROD PATT
Transferring here in 2019 was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. My time here has shown me what I can truly do and who I am. The people I’ve met have pushed me to do my best and have always wanted more for me. 
Mathematics and Criminology double major, DeVore Humanitarian Award
Up Next: U.S. Marines, applying for Officer Candidate School.
Alex
ALEX NATIVIDAD CRUZ
To me, being able to fill the role of an educator in this world is to give hope. I am not here to tell you that with hard work and dedication, you can accomplish even the most unimaginable dream you may have. I am here to prove it to you. 
Spanish and Latin American Studies / K-12 Education major, Dean’s List, Promise House volunteer, speaks three languages
Up Next: Spanish Teacher, Columbus City Schools.
GABRIELLE McGEORGE
We have been taught how to constantly grow as individuals, to lead, to support and care for others, to overcome hardships, and to market ourselves to highlight everything we have learned to our future employers. 
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, President, Cardinal Corps Leaders
Up Next: Will attend medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Gabrielle
ZANE RONAU
I believe that Otterbein’s environment, the people, and the coursework is among the best in the country. Large schools wouldn’t have been able to provide me the personalized experience that I benefited from so much. 
Mathematics and Physics double major, varsity football athlete, tutor
Up Next: University of Louisville’s Physics Ph.D. program.
Zane
Gabrielle
GABRIELLE McGEORGE
We have been taught how to constantly grow as individuals, to lead, to support and care for others, to overcome hardships, and to market ourselves to highlight everything we have learned to our future employers. 
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, President, Cardinal Corps Leaders
Up Next: Will attend medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Zane
ZANE RONAU
I believe that Otterbein’s environment, the people, and the course work is among the best in the country. Large schools wouldn’t have been able to provide me the personalized experience that I benefited from so much. 
Mathematics and Physics double major, varsity football athlete, tutor
Up Next: University of Louisville’s Physics Ph.D. program.
Academic Majors
ARTS
BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATION
EDUCATION
EQUINE SCIENCE
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
HUMANITIES
SOCIAL SCIENCES
STEM
UNDECLARED STUDENTS
PRE-PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- The chance to perform and create on a campus that celebrates the arts with access to a major metropolitan city regarded for its arts commitment.
- Close, personal attention from accomplished faculty who are active, practicing artists, musicians, and arts professionals.
- Access to renowned gallery spaces, extensive production opportunities, and a variety of ensembles.
- Real world experiences to showcase your talent.
- A comprehensive and experiential curriculum designed to develop artists and artisans of the highest ability.
- Art
- Art (BFA)
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Creative Writing (BFA)
- Music with concentrations in:
- Music History and Literature
- Music Theory and Composition
- Music Education (BME)
- Music Performance (BMUS)
- Theatre (BA)
- Theatre – Acting (BFA)
- Theatre – Design/Technology (BFA)
- Theatre – Musical Theatre (BFA)
See Majors List
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Hands-on, experiential coursework.
- America’s 14th largest city and its many internships and career opportunities.
- Faculty who are practicing professionals who work to ensure quality internship opportunities for students with industry leaders ranging from Honda and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to JPMorgan Chase and KPMG.
- Professional opportunities with campus media production facilities, including radio and digital news outlets.
- Study abroad opportunities to expand your worldview of the global market.
- Accounting
- Public Accounting
- Actuarial Sciences
- Business Administration and Management
- Business Analytics
- Business Undeclared
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- Equine Business Management
- Health Communication
- Finance
- International Business and Management
- Journalism and Media Communication
- Marketing
- Multimedia (Audio and Video)
- Public Relations
- Sport Management
See Majors List
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- The chance to address complex challenges that affect communities and institutions.
- Experiential education with many field experiences.
- Access to an incredible array of internships.
- Close mentoring relationships with and individualized attention from faculty.
- The opportunity to publish research and present at conferences.
- An understanding of how to be a positive catalyst for effective social, institutional, and policy reform.
- Experiences that prepare you to enter the workforce or pursue a graduate education.
- PreK-5 Primary Education
- PreK-5 Dual License Intervention Specialist
- Educational Studies
- K-12 Intervention Specialist (Special Education)
- Middle Childhood Education grades 4-9 (choose two areas):
- English/Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Adolescence to Young Adult grades 7-12 Chemistry (with BA in Chemistry)
- Adolescence to Young Adult grades 7-12 Integrated Language Arts (with BA in English)
- Adolescence to Young Adult grades 7-12 Biology (with BA in Biology) Biology (with BA in Biology)
- Adolescence to Young Adult grades 7-12 Integrated Mathematics (with BA in Mathematics)
- Adolescence to Young Adult grades 7-12 Physics (with BA in Physics)
- Adolescence to Young Adult grades 7-12 Integrated Social Studies (with BA in History)
- Music Education grades PreK-12
Students earn teaching licensure through the Education Department while earning their degree in the subject matter they wish to teach
*Pending ODHE approval.
See Majors List
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Timely coursework designed to build your knowledge and network.
- Getting hands-on with internships and field experiences.
- State-of-the-art facilities including Nursing simulation labs, the Biomechanics Institute, and the Knowlton Center for Equine Science.
- A flexible curriculum designed to enhance career and professional passions with room to add a second major or minors.
- Individualized attention from accomplished faculty and access to industry leaders.
- Experiences ensuring you understand best practices and emerging trends.
See Majors List
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Timely coursework designed to build your knowledge and network.
- Getting hands-on with internships and field experiences.
- State-of-the-art facilities including Nursing simulation labs, the Biomechanics Institute, and the Knowlton Center for Equine Science.
- A flexible curriculum designed to enhance career and professional passions with room to add a second major or minors.
- Individualized attention from accomplished faculty and access to industry leaders.
- Experiences ensuring you understand best practices and emerging trends.
- Allied Health (BA, BS, Pre-Professional Health Studies)
- Biology – Pre-Professional Health Studies
- BMB – Pre-Professional Health Studies
- Chemistry – Pre-Professional Health Studies
- Exercise Science and Health Promotion
- Health Communication
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Pre-Athletic Training (3+2 Master’s)
- Public Health Education
- Sport Management
See Majors List
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Access to leading University and visiting humanities scholars.
- Personal mentoring and research collaboration with nationally and internationally known humanities faculty.
- Immersive experiences like local and national internships, presenting at national humanities conferences, or publishing in Otterbein’s student-run journals or ‘zines.
- Humanities travel courses to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
- Access to Otterbein’s National Humanities Endowment funds to support research, travel, and humanities events.
- Creative Writing (BFA)
- English (BA) with concentrations in:
- Global Studies
- History
- Humanities Undeclared
- Philosophy and Religion with concentrations in:
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Ethics and Social Justice
- Political Science
- Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Sustainability Studies
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
See Majors List
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- The chance to address complex challenges that affect communities and institutions.
- Experiential education with many field experiences.
- Access to an incredible array of internships.
- Close mentoring relationships with and individualized attention from faculty.
- The opportunity to publish research and present at conferences.
- An understanding of how to be a positive catalyst for effective social, institutional, and policy reform.
- Experiences that prepare you to enter the workforce or pursue a graduate education.
See Majors List
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- A rigorous hands-on curriculum and individualized attention from faculty.
- State-of-the-art facilities in the Science Center and The Point.
- Opportunities to conduct research, present at national scientific conferences, and publish in scholarly journals.
- Help in securing local, national, and international internships.
- Ability to shadow medical professionals in regional hospitals and veterinary clinics.
- Travel courses throughout the world.
- Purposeful program flexibility allows you to balance STEM with other passions.
- Actuarial Science
- Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering – Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering – Systems Engineering
- Equine Pre-Vet (Pre-Professional Studies)
- Equine Veterinary Technology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics (BA)
- Physics – Engineering Physics
- STEM Undeclared
- Sustainability Studies
- Zoo and Conservation Science – Zoo Track
- Zoo and Conservation Science – Aquarium Track
See Majors List
While many students experience anxiety when they are not sure of a college major — Otterbein students often take pride in their intentional decision not to declare a major.
As an undeclared student, you will be surrounded with resources to learn more about who you are, what your strengths and interests are, market and job trends, and will get support in building an academic plan.
You also can start as undeclared in Business, Humanities, or STEM if you have interests in those areas but are unsure of which academic program to choose.
- Undeclared
- Business Undeclared
- Humanities Undeclared
- STEM Undeclared
See Majors List
While there is not a specific “pre-health profession” or “pre-med” major, see some of the suggested options and academic programs that provide a solid educational foundation for graduate studies.
These majors will also prepare you for the required national entrance exams for these professional health schools and programs.
For those students interested in a Pre-Law track, Otterbein does offer a minor in Legal Studies/Pre-Law.
- Students considering medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy and optometry schools often major in Biology, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, or Chemistry. The major coursework required aligns with preparation for national entrance exams.
- Students considering physical therapy or physician’s assistant school may want to major in Allied Health, housed in the Department of Health & Sport Sciences.
- Students wanting to become nurse practitioners can apply to graduate school on the basis of a science degree, or a degree in Nursing.
- Students considering veterinary studies might opt for Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies or the Biology Department’s Zoo & Conservation Science program.
- Students considering Law School might wish to explore Otterbein’s Legal Studies/Pre-Law minor.
See Majors List
ARTS
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- The chance to perform and create on a campus that celebrates the arts with access to a major metropolitan city regarded for its arts commitment.
- Close, personal attention from accomplished faculty who are active, practicing artists, musicians, and arts professionals.
- Access to renowned gallery spaces, extensive production opportunities, and a variety of ensembles.
- Real world experiences to showcase your talent.
- A comprehensive and experiential curriculum designed to develop artists and artisans of the highest ability.
Major List:
BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATION
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Hands-on, experiential coursework.
- America’s 14th largest city and its many internships and career opportunities.
- Faculty who are practicing professionals who work to ensure quality internship opportunities for students with industry leaders ranging from Honda and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to JPMorgan Chase and KPMG.
- Professional opportunities with campus media production facilities, including radio and digital news outlets.
- Study abroad opportunities to expand your worldview of the global market.
Major List:
- Accounting
- Public Accounting
- Actuarial Sciences
- Business Administration and Management
- Business Analytics
- Business Undeclared
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- Equine Business Management
- Health Communication
- Finance
- International Business and Management
- Journalism and Media Communication
- Marketing
- Multimedia (Audio and Video)
- Public Relations
- Sport Management
EDUCATION
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- The chance to address complex challenges that affect communities and institutions.
- Experiential education with many field experiences.
- Access to an incredible array of internships.
- Close, mentoring relationships with and individualized attention from faculty.
- The opportunity to publish research and present at conferences.
- Understanding how to be a positive catalyst for effective social, institutional, and policy reform.
- Experiences that prepare you to enter the workforce or pursue a graduate education.
Major List:
- Elementary Education
- Elementary Education/Elementary Special
- Education (Dual Licensure)
- Education Studies non-teaching
- K-12 Intervention Specialist
- Middle School Education (choose two areas):
- High School Education – Chemistry (with BA in Chemistry)
- High School Education – English/Language Arts (with BA in English)
- High School Education – Life Sciences (with BA in Biology)
- High School Education – Mathematics (with BA in Mathematics)
- High School Education – Physics (with BA in Physics)
- High School Education – Social Studies (with BA in History)
* Students earn teaching licensure through the Education Department while earning their degree in the subject matter they wish to teach.
EQUINE SCIENCE
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Timely coursework designed to build your knowledge and network.
- Getting hands-on with internships and field experiences.
- State-of-the-art facilities including Nursing simulation labs, the Biomechanics Institute, and the Knowlton Center for Equine Science.
- A flexible curriculum designed to enhance career and professional passions with room to add a second major or minors.
- Individualized attention from accomplished faculty and access to industry leaders.
- Experiences ensuring you understand best practices and emerging trends.
Major List:
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Timely coursework designed to build your knowledge and network.
- Getting hands-on with internships and field experiences.
- State-of-the-art facilities including Nursing simulation labs, the Biomechanics Institute, and the Knowlton Center for Equine Science.
- A flexible curriculum designed to enhance career and professional passions with room to add a second major or minors.
- Individualized attention from accomplished faculty and access to industry leaders.
- Experiences ensuring you understand best practices and emerging trends.
Major List:
- Allied Health (BA, BS, Pre-Professional Health Studies)
- Biology – Pre-Professional Health Studies
- BMB – Pre-Professional Health Studies
- Chemistry – Pre-Professional Health Studies
- Exercise Science and Health Promotion
- Health Communication
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Pre-Athletic Training (3+2 Master’s)
- Public Health Education
- Sport Management
HUMANITIES
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- Access to leading University and visiting humanities scholars.
- Personal mentoring and research collaboration with nationally and internationally known humanities faculty.
- Immersive experiences like local and national internships, presenting at national humanities conferences, or publishing in Otterbein’s student-run journals or ‘zines.
- Humanities travel courses to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
- Access to Otterbein’s National Humanities Endowment funds to support research, travel, and humanities events.
Major List:
- Creative Writing (BFA)
- English with concentrations in:
- Global Studies
- History
- Humanities Undeclared
- Philosophy and Religion with concentrations in:
- Political Science
- Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Sustainability Studies
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Criminology and Justice Studies
Psychology
Sociology
Sustainability Studies
Major List:
STEM
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH
From day one, you’ll benefit from:
- A rigorous hands-on curriculum and individualized attention from faculty.
- State-of-the-art facilities in the Science Center and The Point.
- Opportunities to conduct research, present at national scientific conferences, and publish in scholarly journals.
- Help in securing local, national, and international internships.
- Ability to shadow medical professionals in regional hospitals and veterinary clinics.
- Travel courses throughout the world.
- Purposeful program flexibility allows you to balance STEM with other passions.
Major List:
- Actuarial Science
- Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering – Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering – Systems Engineering
- Equine Pre-Vet (Pre-Professional Studies)
- Equine Veterinary Technology
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Physics – Engineering Physics
- STEM Undeclared
- Sustainability Studies
- Zoo and Conservation Science
- Zoo and Conservation Science – Aquarium Concentration
UNDECLARED STUDENTS
Undeclared
Business Undeclared
Humanities Undeclared
STEM Undeclared
Major List:
PRE-PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Dentistry
Law
Medicine
Occupational Therapy
Optometry
Osteopathic Medicine
Physical Therapy
Veterinary Medicine
Major List:
Visit our Undergraduate Programs of Study page to see the full listing of Otterbein’s majors, minors, and more. For information about graduate programs, visit our Graduate School page.
IT'S EASY TO BECOME A CARDINAL!
