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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 >

Color Star

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.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

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I really value the close, personal relationships that I’m able to have with my students. A critical aspect of my teaching happens outside the classroom when I collaboratively work with students both in the lab and field on undergraduate theses.

Sarah Bouchard Ph.D., Professor

2020 Otterbein Teacher of the Year

Learn more about Sarah Bouchard >

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

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I love the work I get to do with our majors — particularly the senior writing project, which is an opportunity for me to work one-on-one with students on a project that they’re passionate about that they can then use to apply for grad schools, job opportunities, and even publish.

Jeremy Llorence, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English

Named the 2020 New Teacher

Learn more about Jeremy Llorence >

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Tan Quoteup
The Otterbein Education Department treats both professors and students as education professionals. I help students develop their lessons and my students offer suggestions for my practice. We quickly become colleagues trading teaching ideas.

Paul Wendel, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Education Department Chair

Named the 2020 Exemplary Teacher

Learn more about Paul Wendel >

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

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Congratulations to Casey J. Tucker for receiving the 2020 Teaching in General Education award at Otterbein University.

Casey J. Tucker, Ph.D., Instructor, Department of Biology & Earth Science

Learn more about Casey Tucker >

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.

Learn more about Otterbein's innovative Integrative Studies curriculum >

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.

Learn more about what it means to be Otterbein READY >

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.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

I was president of the Cardinal Corps Leaders for two years and completed over 2,000 hours of community service as a student. I was the student hall director and a resident assistant of Mayne Hall. I was in the Pre-med Club, Mortar Board, a national pre-professional health honor society (AED), and Otterbein’s honors program.

Gabby

RESEARCH & CREATIVE WORK

Joining Dr. Bennett’s research lab changed the way I approach difficult problems. Research taught me that patience is a must when trying to solve unanswered questions. She also guided me on the path to medical school and helped me get a poster presentation accepted at the American Society for Microbiology Conference.

John

LEADERSHIP & CITIZENSHIP

Only Otterbein supports the academic and character development of their students. I have learned some of the most important traits are empathy and compassion for others. Otterbein taught me that sometimes to be a better professional you have to be a better person. I will strive to grow as both for the rest of my life.

Tristan

GLOBAL & INTERCULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

I did a field research experience with the Cape Parrot Project in Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa. I spent the summer tracking the movement and recording the vocalizations of the endangered Cape Parrot. I uncovered my love of field research, which opened up new avenues I could take after graduation.

Eileen

INTERNSHIPS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

I had some incredible internship and job experiences in my time at Otterbein. One summer, I worked at the Ohio Department of Transportation as a geotechnical engineering intern. During another semester, I worked as a Senate Page at the Ohio Statehouse!

Casey

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.

More facts that will make you proud to be a Cardinal >

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.
4

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.
4

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.

Students earn teaching licensure through the Education Department while earning their degree in the subject matter they wish to teach

*Pending ODHE approval.

 

4

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.
4

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.
4

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.
4

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.
4

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.
4

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
4

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.

4

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:

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:

* 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:

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:

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:

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.

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