Adult Admission for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

At Otterbein, we can help you take your education to the next level to reach your goals. Through its 21 academic departments, Otterbein offers more than 70 programs of study. We also offer plenty of minors, electives, and individualized study options so you can customize your academic experience. Depending upon the major you choose, general education courses may be fulfilled. Earning a second degree could mean less time and tuition.

Otterbein is a great place to belong. Others agree. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 edition of “America’s Best Colleges”, Otterbein moved up two places from last year to rank 11th in its category overall, and two places to rank 11th in its category on the “Best Colleges for Veterans.” Otterbein is ranked in the top 10 percent among 171 peers in the Regional Universities – Midwest category and once again earned a spot in the list of “A+ Schools for B Students” list.

Students seeking a second degree may not seek the same degree type as was previous earned. For example, if a student has previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, they may not return to complete a second Bachelor of Arts degree. Students seeking a second degree and students who change majors are monitored under the SAP policy and may have quantitative maximum time frame considerations identified.

Explore the information below to discover the outstanding programs of study Otterbein has to offer and to learn more about costs and financial aid, and the many resources available to adult students on campus.  If you have any questions, please contact the admissions team, Mary Mosca or Jennifer Hicks at  614-823-1500 or by email at cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.

How to Apply

Ready to apply? Here’s what you’ll need to do, organize, and submit to apply to Otterbein:

  1. Follow the steps below to submit your Otterbein transfer admission application:
    • Open the application page
    • Create a login
    • No application fee
    • Be sure to submit all supporting documents
  2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary attended. Send all official transcripts directly from previously attended to Otterbein. Otterbein prefers to receive all official transcripts electronically.
    NOTE – Transfer students additionally need to submit an official high school transcript if they have earned less than 30 semester hours or less than 45 quarter hours of college credit after high school.
  3. With the availability of the ACT and SAT scores being disrupted by COVID-19, Otterbein has adopted a test optional admission policy. Students will be able to select if they would or would not like test scores to be used in the evaluation of their admission application. Students with high school GPA of 2.75 or lower are encouraged to submit a test score if available. Students will not be disadvantaged for the submission of test scores, so, if available, we would recommend submitting official score.

Application Form Information

To apply to Otterbein as a Transfer/Adult student please submit the Otterbein transfer admission application.

Programs Of Study

Undeclared Students

Undeclared means you’re still exploring your options. Student Success & Career Development will help you stay on track with extra advising, strengths assessment and immersive experiences to help you decide what program suits you best.

Heading for the Next Level — Graduate School

For more information, contact the Otterbein Graduate School by phone at 614-823-3210, or email grad@otterbein.edu.

Special Transfer Credit Evaluation Offer

We know you’re anxious to know what coursework taken previously will transfer to Otterbein. Send us your scanned transcript and we’ll perform an unofficial pre-evaluation and let you know what will transfer, for how many credits and what the course equivalents are. The pre-evaluation only takes two to three days and no application for admission is required.

Submit a copy of your scanned or self-generated/printed transcript via email to cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.

*Unofficial – final evaluation will be completed once official transcripts have been received

Costs & Financial Aid

Financial aid options are different for students completing their second bachelor’s degree than when completing their first degree. Merit and institutional funding are not offered to second degree seeking students. However, we encourage students to seek out external scholarships not affiliated with the University.

Students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are encouraged to apply for federal aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Second degree students are not eligible for federal grants programs but can use the FAFSA to apply for need base federal loans.

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

We encourage you to apply for aid, regardless of your financial situation. Please do not assume you will not qualify for assistance. Last year more than 95 percent of our students qualified for assistance.

  1. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. You can fill out and submit your application through FAFSA on the Web at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Electronic filing is the fastest and easiest way to apply for financial aid. Be sure to list Otterbein University and our Title IV school code 003110.
  2. If requested, please submit any additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid.  Once you are an admitted student and we have received your FAFSA and all required supplemental documents you will received a need-based aid package.

Course Transfer Policies

To earn a second bachelor’s degree after the first has already been conferred, a student must complete:

  • A minimum of 24 semester credit hours in residence at Otterbein; CLEP, credit by other means of examination, proficiency tests, Otterbein course MATH 0900, etc. may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • All requirements in the major of which at least 9 semester credit hours in the major must be completed in residence at the 3000/4000 level
  • At least one INST 2XXX thread course, INST 3XXX, and an SYE course in residence for all programs except the BSN in Nursing. This is applicable only to students who did not earn the first degree at Otterbein; those who did are exempt from this requirement.
  • The BSN in Nursing has specific INST requirements, those courses will meet the 2nd degree INST residency requirement. See BSN-Nursing program information under Academic Program and Degree Requirements for further information.
  • The general education mathematics requirement If fewer than 24 semester credit hours are needed to complete the degree requirements, the remaining hours needed to reach 24 may consist of elective credit.

Course Equivalency Guides

Otterbein University accepts all non-remedial credits earned at any regionally accredited institution with a grade C- or better. Otterbein also accepts credits for military coursework listed on a military transcript with ACE recommendations. Credits are evaluated by the Registrar in consultation with academic departments. The Registrar will only transfer in classes that will satisfy either general education or major requirements. Actual grades are not transferred and thus are not included in the Otterbein grade point average. If academic credentials are submitted in a non-English language, a World Education Services, Inc. (WES) course-by-course evaluation might be required. Visit the WES website for details and instructions.

Campus Resources

Otterbein cares about the success of all of our students both in and out of the classroom. We offer services and resources to guide you through and help you get the most out of your Otterbein experience, including academic support, counseling, career planning, diversity education, and more. Learn more about these resources by contacting us at cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.

Student Success & Career Development

(614-823-1624, studentsuccess@otterbein.edu).
SSCD is co-located with the Office of the Registrar on the lower level of Towers Hall, SSCD staff are committed to holistic academic and career advising by providing individual assistance and a variety of resources and programs to help guide students along their Otterbein journey and to their career goals. They can help you think comprehensively about your interests, skills, and values and how those translate to academic and career satisfaction and success. They can also help you make the most out of your experience at Otterbein, plan your journey within and beyond the classroom, and empower you to make informed and intentional choices to ensure your academic and professional success.

Academic Support Center

The Otterbein Academic Support Center (ASC) exists to help students develop and strengthen the skills necessary to attain their academic goals.Through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, the ASC supports students in becoming independent lifelong learners in an accessible student-centered environment. The center facilitates the development of learning strategies and skills in partnership with peers and professionals through tutoring, academic coaching, supplemental instruction, academic courses, and other learner-focused services.

These services are available through the Academic Support Center to assist students: