Department of Health & Sport Sciences
Our goal is to create an inclusive, engaging, and dynamic educational experience for students.
The Department of Health and Sport Sciences is deeply rooted in the history of Otterbein University as a department that prides itself as being a place that supports hands-on learning for our students and as a department committed to excellence in teaching and advising for our students. We have achieved long-standing success with helping our students reach their future professional goals. The Department of Health and Sport Sciences works to prepare students to become competent, self-directed professionals through sound curricular programming, dedicated faculty, and outstanding facilities and equipment.
Department faculty work closely with students within the classroom and through close, personal advising relationships. This mentorship allows our students to succeed at Otterbein and beyond! In 2022, 100% of the Allied Health students that applied to graduate school in physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assisting were accepted. The 3+2 Master of Science in Athletic Training has grown from our well-respected undergraduate program in Athletic Training! Exercise Science majors benefit from the experience of working with faculty and staff in our OtterFit Wellness program as early as their sophomore year and grow that experiential learning into respected internships in the fitness and wellness industries. Students majoring in Sports Management are actively engaged on-campus with event planning such as the recent Zero Waste Gameday program and also benefit from an array of outstanding internships. Public Health students are well connected to the Westerville and greater Columbus community where they benefit from real-life application of their coursework.
Take a look at this video produced entirely by HSS students to learn more about what they value about their department.
Programs of Study
B.S.
Allied Health
Allied Health majors learn about human movement, evidence-based medicine, and exercise response. Our program is designed to prepare you for graduate school in physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, and physician assisting, among other health-related fields.
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B.S.
Exercise Science
The Exercise Science major prepares you to work in health and wellness fields, such as exercise physiology, nutrition, lifestyle management, and corporate wellness. This major also prepares students for graduate education by promoting hands-on experiences with personal training and the potential to earn one or more certifications in fitness as a part of the built in curriculum.
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B.S.
Exercise Science, Strength & Conditioning Concentration
The Exercise Science major with a concentration in Strength & Conditioning prepares you to work in health and wellness fields such as exercise physiology, nutrition, lifestyle management, corporate wellness, and strength and conditioning or continue with graduate study. There are various hands-on experiences embedded within the curriculum with personal training, strength and conditioning, and general fitness. The optional Strength & Conditioning Concentration is great for those students especially interested in human performance in an athletic, military, or clinical setting.
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B.S.
Public Health Education
Public Health Education majors can work as a health educators in health departments, community service organizations, and other healthcare settings. In this program, you will be able to volunteer in our field, join the Eta Sigma Gamma honorary society, and even become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) before you graduate.
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B.S.
Sport Management
Sport Management majors learn to think critically, problem-solve, collaborate, and lead while networking with professionals in the sport industry and gaining real-world experience through internships, practicums and other opportunities. Our exciting, hands-on curriculum prepares you to work with professional and collegiate sport teams, and other sport, fitness, or recreation organizations.
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MSAH
Master of Science in Allied Health
The MSAH program supports health and wellness leaders in the growing healthcare industry. Designed to be flexible for working adults, it gives students a strong voice in developing their practicum experiences for maximum benefit to their career. Our robust curriculum ensures a strong foundation in one of two tracks, Healthcare Administration or Exercise & Health Science.
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MSAT (3+2)
Pre-Athletic Training/Master of Science Athletic Training
The 3+2 MSAT lets you complete an undergraduate degree and be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification examination with your Master’s degree. Our unique undergraduate curriculum gives majors experience in athletic training through clinical experiences in a wide variety of settings while preparing them for graduate work in the Masters program.
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B.S.
Pre-Professional Health Studies
Students interested in pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physician assistant or other health-related careers should consider a degree in Allied Health.
Student, Faculty, & Alumni Spotlights
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
This internship made me realize that I want to stay in the sports media. I find multimedia incredibly interesting, and there’s always room to grow and improve in this field. There’s constant innovation, and someone is always creating something new and exciting.
Connor Parsons ’25
Sports Management Major
Learn more about Connor’s Cape Cod Baseball League Internship >
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
College is really what you make of it, and I’m glad I took control of my own journey. My time at Otterbein has been so rewarding. I’ve learned a lot, grown a lot, and built great connections with professors and staff who actually care. The Allied Health program gave me the support and opportunities I needed, even when I doubted myself.
Tra’Nyse Frazier ’26
Allied Health Major with a Psychology Minor
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
The relationships you create are most important. Those are things that you can’t measure but last the longest. Enjoy every moment and if you are too big to do the little things then you are too little to do the big things.
Julian Heckman ’26
Exercise Science Major with a Spanish Minor
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein has given me incredible hands-on opportunities—working as a research assistant on my distinction project and serving as a Chemistry Lab TA have both shaped me academically and personally, thanks to the support of my professors.
Hooda Hersi ’27
Public Health Education on the premedical track Major with a Chemistry & Psychology Minor
HSS students have the opportunity for additional academic challenge by participating in Otterbein’s Honors Program or participating in other scholarly activities. Joining our “Community of Scholars” provides important exploration and the chance for advanced research.
OtterFit lets Exercise Science majors work as personal trainers for Otterbein faculty and staff. They also lead group training classes, educational programming, and other campus events.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein not only provided me with several unique experiences to benefit me in the future career, but also several connections as well. I feel that these connections not only helped me find a great graduate program and will be there as I progress into a future career.
Avery Yoder ‘25
Graduate Assistant, M.S. Kinesiology – Appalachian State University
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science & Health Promotion with a minor in Nutrition
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The real-world experiences and personal support I received through Otterbein’s HSS program gave me the confidence and skills to thrive in the sports industry. This helped shape how I lead and create meaningful community impact through my work with the Reds Community Fund.
Jake Ware ’23
Fundraising Events Coordinator, Reds Community Fund
Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration and Marketing
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein’s Sport Management program helps you figure out your ‘why’ and gives you the tools to succeed in the industry. Its classes give you hands-on experiences to practice and refine your skills. They require you to think critically, convey your opinion, and back up your claims with facts … It was through these experiences that I found my confidence to speak up and let my team know how we can improve, and not be afraid to do so.
Jordan Aronowitz ’22
Assistant Director of Group Sales
Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Having access to this kind of technology allowed me to pose questions and research I had not even thought would be possible as an undergraduate. The experiences I gained as a researcher, student, and future clinician were unmatched.
Lauren Rumbalski ‘22
Bachelor of Science in Allied Health with a minor in Psychology
Read more about Lauren’s story >
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
During my time in the Sport Management program, I was introduced to the many exciting and diverse career paths that exist within the sports industry. I was exposed to a wide range of topics — including sport law, ethics, sociology, psychology, event planning, economics, and marketing — which helped me build a strong, well-rounded foundation. The supportive professors and real-world opportunities made my experience in the program truly memorable and fulfilling.
Bryn Mangold ’21
NCAA Assistant Director of Division III for Governance and Member Services
Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management & Public Relations double major ’21; MBA ’23
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein’s Public Health Education program provided me with valuable hands-on experience through meaningful community engagement. I had the opportunity to apply what I learned in Dr. Braun’s class by working directly with the Somali community, putting theory into practice in a real-world setting. The connections I built throughout the program opened doors to opportunities I never imagined possible.
Farhiya Hirsi ’17
Grants Management Specialist; Department of Justice
Master of Science in Allied Health
Students will learn about biomechanics using state-of-the-art technology and will be able to collaborate with faculty on research projects involving our athletes and community members.
The Biomechanics Institute at The Point offers a state-of-the-art facility that will provide Allied Health and Athletic Training majors with exceptional opportunities for hands-on learning.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Being awarded a Fulbright to conduct sport management research in Kosovo was personally fulfilling and allowed me to establish new professional relationships. It has enabled me to see sport from another point of view. This experience will broaden my teaching in the classroom and allow me to bring new perspectives to my students.
Dr. Megan Chawansky
Associate Professor
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Rob Braun and alumni Mariah Nevels ’19 and Chris Saylor ’17 created this game called “Our World”. This game is an excellent tool for engaging individuals in understanding health equity, social determinants of health (SDOH), and health disparities. This tool makes abstract concepts tangible, encourages active participation, and builds awareness of health equity challenges in a memorable way. It’s a fun, interactive method to inspire deeper understanding, discussion, and action.
Dr. Rob Braun
Professor
NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
I love watching that moment when a concept finally clicks for a student, it’s full circle and why I teach.
Dr. Chelsea Pasukinis
Visiting Assistant Professor
NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Weight training should be fun, conditioning should be fun, exercise should be fun… that is the spirit I try to integrate into my classes
Dr. Chris Torres
Assistant Professor
NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Every student has the potential to shape the future of health care. I want to give students what they need to be ready to lead and make a real difference in their communities.
Tyler Beauregard
Instructor
Department Features & Student Opportunities
Scholarships
HSS proudly offers additional competitive scholarship opportunities to recognize student excellence, service and leadership.
Facilities
HSS facilities include modern classrooms with integrated technologies and labs for students to conduct individual or group research.
Internships
Students enjoy the benefit and professional development that a wide-range of professional experiences and internships provide.
Fun with HSS
The HSS Annual Chili Cook-Off is a fun way for students to warm up with some friendly competition! Faculty and staff bring their best homemade chili recipes and students come taste, vote, and enjoy delicious food with their classmates!
Leadership
The annual Sport Film Festival gives students hands-on experience planning and managing a complex event. Through this event, students learn the key principles of event organization, administration, and innovation in a real-world setting. This instills in them the knowledge and confidence to execute future sport, fitness, and recreation events.
Photo by Eric Aufderbeck
Make a Difference
HSS students organize an annual run/walk 5K to raise awareness and funds. Their work supports charitable organizations and helps fund an Otterbein scholarship.
Health & Sport Sciences Department News
Otterbein Student Steps Up to the Plate with Cape Cod Baseball League Internship
News - September 4, 2025
By Drakko Harper ’26 For most baseball fans, summer means sitting in the stands, hot dog in hand, and singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” For Connor Parsons, it meant standing behind the scenes, making sure the experience felt seamless and exciting. Parsons, a sports management major, spent his summer as the marketing and public relations intern for the Bourne Braves, a top team in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). The position is brand-new for the Braves,…
News in MSAT – Fall 2023
News - September 27, 2023
Hello everyone! I am excited to write you for the first time as the program director for our new Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program. Otterbein transitioned out of our bachelor of science in athletic training this past spring by graduating our final class of undergraduates. After 12 years of an internship-based program followed by 24 years of a nationally accredited program, we made the bittersweet move to the new MSAT entry-level requirement. This transition gave us the…
News in MSAH – Fall 2023
News - September 27, 2023
As we continue through the Fall 2023 semester, I am excited to introduce myself and get to meet our MSAH students throughout the year. My name is Amy Upp, and I am the new director of the MSAH Program. I have a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, master’s degree in health promotion, and am currently working on a doctorate degree in public health. Throughout my career, I have worked in several medically based fitness centers, including the OhioHealth McConnell Heart…The Athletic Training program at Otterbein is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Additionally, the Exercise Science Strength & Conditioning Program is applying for CASCE accreditation fall of 2025.
Contact Us
Center of Health & Sport Sciences
140 Center St
Westerville, OH 43081
Administrative Assistant
614-823-3528
otterbeinhss@otterbein.edu