Otterbein's story begins in the mid-1800s, before the abolition of slavery, before the women's rights movement, before equality and inclusion were rights. Otterbein was founded by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1847. Those qualities built Otterbein to what it is today: a nationally recognized university offering bachelor and master degrees to a wide variety of students.
We included women as faculty members and as students from our founding, and we were the first institution in the nation to do so. Otterbein admitted students of color before the Civil War and welcomed Japanese-American students who had been sent to internment camps during World War II. We gave students a voice in our story through our unique governance system beginning in the 1960s. Today students from diverse backgrounds enhance Otterbein's campus by sharing their unique experiences and perspectives.
Otterbein offers a choice of more than 70 majors and 44 minors, as well as individualized courses of study. We also offer five graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing, including our doctor of nursing practice degree.
College is about so much more than choosing a major. It is about becoming a scholar, a dreamer, a thinker. We do not teach you the answers; we help you understand how to ask the questions. Our academic curriculum earns respect from experts and attention from peers—but most importantly, your Otterbein experiences lead to meaningful careers and successful life stories.
While Otterbein is known for its academic programs, much of your college experience will occur outside of the classroom. Otterbein offers a fun, welcoming, safe, and entertaining campus life for all students. Maybe you are interested in volunteering, playing sports with your friends, or making new friends in social, political, or religious organizations... With a student organization to match any of your likes & hobbies, Otterbein has it all. There is a wide variety of student organizations to match nearly every interest. Join one or start one. Getting involved is easy.
Volunteering is a great way to help others and provides an experience that helps you grow as a person. Keep your faith a vital part of your college experience. Share and grow in your faith while at Otterbein.
Otterbein has six sororities and seven fraternities, with over 100 years of brother and sisterhood between them. Find a new home in Greek Life at Otterbein.
Otterbein cares about the success of our students, both in and out of the classroom. We offer services and resources to guide you through the Otterbein experience, including academic support, counseling, career planning, diversity education, and more.
Otterbein University strives to foster and sustain the highest quality of research endeavors. We are committed to encouraging scholars, students, stakeholders, and partners to pursue new and innovative research.
Additionally, our goal is to promote and support ethical responsibility, integrity, regulatory compliance, and performance in all aspects of research conducted at Otterbein.
It is the best way to describe Otterbein's history, present, and future. Founded in 1847, Otterbein University is a comprehensive, private, liberal arts institution that offers bachelor's and master's degrees and a doctor of nursing practice degree. Otterbein is home to approximately 3,000 students located in Westerville, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio.
For more than 120 years, Otterbein has enrolled international students into its academic programs and fostered global partnerships. Nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum, it is only six schools to serve as a site for the Association of American Colleges and Universities project on experiential learning.
Otterbein University's Graduate School offers advanced degrees in Allied Health, Business (MBA), Education, Educational Mathematics & Nursing. If you're a passionate learner looking for a graduate school experience with small class sizes, accessible faculty, and project-based learning, Otterbein is the perfect place for you.
Otterbein has a long-standing commitment to equity and inclusion that dates back to our founding. However, our students have asked our community to remember that there is always room and need to continue to learn and to grow.
At Otterbein, we believe in working together to improve, to grow, and to address issues. Our history indeed includes moments and commitments that can make us proud of Otterbein's long-standing inclusiveness position.
It is also valid throughout our history—including the current day—that we can and should expect more of ourselves as a community, as individuals, and as an institution. As others have expressed, on issues this important, the work is never done. Otterbein's commitment to equity and inclusiveness is rooted in our history and will only strengthen as we go forward.
Otterbein University believes in giving back to the community through service, cultural experiences, and business partnerships. Community members are invited to explore our art exhibits and attend our music and theatre performances.
Businesses are invited to partner with our courses to provide students with real-life learning experiences to assist with business programs and plans.
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