Undergraduate students can earn credits toward a graduate program of their choosing via Otterbein’s graduate early admission pathways (GEAP) and Antioch University. Fall 2024 marks the first year that Otterbein students are enrolled in GEAPs.
Students who apply to a program in their junior year and are admitted will be able to take three graduate level courses beginning the fall semester of their senior year, for a total of nine credit hours that count towards both their graduate program and their undergraduate degree. While some programs have pre-requisites, GEAPs are open to all majors.
Otterbein is currently transitioning its graduate programs to Antioch, although approved pathways include clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH), a Master of Science in athletic training (MSAT) and individualized studies in the humanities or the social sciences. Some of these pathways include their own areas of concentration, which gives students a range of options to choose from.
Otterbein’s executive director of admission, Mark Moffitt, says that Otterbein has been promoting GEAPs over the last year and that such programs are important to both current and incoming students.
“Our [program] stands out because [of] the opportunity for these students to apply as early as their junior year to be admitted into a graduate program on a provisional basis and then to actually have the opportunity to take those courses during their senior year...” Moffitt said. “[It] gives that student a chance while they’re still completing their undergraduate degree to navigate what graduate school will mean to them.”
Although each graduate program varies in length, GEAPs still allow students to get a head start on these programs, and they give students the opportunity to see if graduate coursework is a good fit.
In comparison to Otterbein, the Antioch courses available through GEAPs are online. Further, graduate level courses tend to differ from undergraduate courses in regard to workload and structure.
Isabel Elliott, a senior psychology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) major who is enrolled in the CMHC program, says that in comparison to undergraduate classes, their Antioch course is more discussion based and includes in-class activities. They also say that they like the online format and the experience in general.
“I like that it’s flexible...once I graduate from Otterbein, I can take the classroom anywhere,” Elliott said. “I’d rate it very highly. I’ve really enjoyed the program so far.”
Besides allowing students to start grad school early, GEAPs are also free of charge.
While students are taking their Antioch classes as undergraduates, their Otterbein tuition covers their graduate courses. During the application process, students should ensure they indicate their status as an Otterbein student when prompted.
After graduating Otterbein, pathway students are automatically students in Antioch. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, all Otterbein graduates will receive a 15% discount on Antioch’s tuition, which varies by program. Faculty and staff are also eligible for the discount.
Currently, Moffit says there are four Otterbein students enrolled in GEAPs, but he also says that recent Otterbein graduates have taken interest in Antioch’s programs. Further, he anticipates the GEAPs will be a strong opportunity for students.
“We would love for this to be an extremely accessible program for all students, no matter what area of study that they may be in as an undergraduate,” Moffitt said.
The application deadline for juniors interested in any of the programs is Nov. 15. Informational sessions for CMHC, MBA and MSAH will be available through October and are open to all students.
