Allied Health

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The Allied Health major is intended for students who are seeking entry to graduate school in fields such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Exercise Science, and Exercise Rehabilitation. The major includes the necessary science, math, and psychology courses that are required prerequisites to most graduate schools. Allied Health graduates will also be exposed to coursework within the Health and Sport Sciences Department that will allow them to build a strong foundation in applied science, anatomy, and kinesiology. Human movement and dysfunction will be presented at a level to better prepare students for graduate study. Graduate programs are seeking individuals who have a well-rounded education that is rooted in the Sciences. This major blends the necessary science background with a quality, liberal arts education from Otterbein College to prepare strong candidates for acceptance to graduate school.

In order to succeed in professional graduate degree programs, students must understand the qualities and characteristics that help to build professional character. Allied Health majors are afforded numerous opportunities to observe and interact with various healthcare professionals. Students are encouraged to begin career exploration during a Field Practicum scheduled during their sophomore year. This Field Practicum allows the Allied Health major to explore various settings in which allied healthcare professionals work and to begin the process of choosing a future internship and/or career path. Students will spend 60 hours in on-site observations of allied healthcare professionals and they will conduct individual research on career paths available under the allied health umbrella.

A unique feature to the Allied Health major at Otterbein College includes two courses that will begin to introduce basic evaluation and treatment concepts that are commonly used by Allied Health professionals. The intent of this coursework is to better prepare students for their internship experience and to provide them with a necessary framework to have a meaningful internship as well. This course is designed to build upon the concepts of Anatomy and Physiology and Kinesiology. Movement Science I is designed to familiarize students with techniques used to evaluate orthopedic injuries. Students will be challenged to describe functional anatomy, recognize signs and symptoms of common injuries, learn palpation techniques, and various special testing techniques respective to each joint. Movement Science II will outline how to create basic rehabilitation programs for musculoskeletal injuries. Content areas of therapeutic exercise and therapeutic modalities will be presented.

Preparing students for entry into graduate study can be a daunting task. Narrowing the selection of schools, completing the necessary coursework with satisfactory grades, and navigating through the application process is often very challenging for students. Students choosing to pursue an Allied Health major at Otterbein College will be advised in a manner to assure that necessary prerequisite coursework is outlined in their degree plan. Advisors are familiar with the necessary admission requirements for entry into graduate programs in Allied Health.

The Allied Health Major takes full advantage of all of Otterbein’s resources and we are able to utilize all the strengths both in and around the Otterbein Community. Specifically we can provide a strong liberal arts background with a good mix of multiple science and health based courses, plus the College is situated in the ideal location to provide clinical sites, field practicum’s and internship opportunities for the students to produce a quality Allied Health Major.

Requirements in the Core Curriculum for the Allied Health Major:

Specifics on these requirements can be found in The Academic Program

Integrative Studies - 50 hrs
Foreign Language - 15 hrs
Mathematics - 15 hrs
Health and Physical Education Lifestyle Series - 3 hrs
Senior Year Experience - hrs depend upon course selected

Requirements in the Major:

Total hours required in the major: 97-102

Residence Requirement:

Must be fulfilled by all transfer students (see The Academic Program .)

Required total hours for the degree:

At least 180 - also see exceptions/additional comments in The Academic Program .

Application for Degree:

A prospective graduate must request an Application for Degree at the Registrar’s Office two terms prior to the term in which the degree is to be completed.

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