College of Arts & Sciences
We educate the artists, musicians, writers, doctors, teachers and scientists of the future.
EXAMINE THE FACTS
With our distinctive combination of professional and liberal arts education, the Getty College of Arts & Sciences is ready to welcome you!
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93% Placement Rate (2025)
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38 Majors to choose from
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21% Students active in ONU athletics
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90% of students receive scholarships
Create Change. Make A Difference.
Students who choose The Getty College of Arts & Sciences share a passion and commitment to improving our local and global communities. Make a difference from your first day “on the Tundra” – empowered by signature learning experiences, not only in your studios and laboratories, but also through field experiences and study abroad adventures. Personalized mentoring and advising offered by our dedicated staff and faculty will connect you with a vibrant network of Polar Bear alumni. Come explore our community of thriving artists and musicians, communicators and policy makers who deepen our connections to people and cultures, teachers who create our future one student at a time, and scientists and healthcare professionals who improve the quality of our lives. We are excited to meet you!
–Dr. Stacey Lowery Bretz, Dean for The Getty College of Arts & Sciences
REACH FOR YOUR DREAM CAREER
With an Arts & Sciences education, you’ll be ready: ready to enter the working world with all the knowledge, experiences and skills to be successful; ready to be a lifelong learner, creative problem-solver and independent thinker; and ready to make meaningful contributions to your chosen field, your community and the world.
Being at ONU has given me the opportunity to engage with all my passions on my terms.Storm Matthews, creative writing major
What are the last great areas of discovery?
Maybe you’re interested in pioneering genetic breakthroughs in the biochemistry lab. Maybe you wish to create masterpieces of modern art. Maybe you’re not sure, but you know it involves helping people. In the Getty College of Arts & Sciences, we’ve built an environment where you can explore your passions, work with talented professors and pursue what excites you most.
One College, Three Distinctive Schools
School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
If you have big dreams, start your journey here. The School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences produces creative achievers, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and difference makers. Here you can explore all your interests and forge genuine relationships with professors, peers, and alumni who will guide your future. You’ll encounter new ideas and meet interesting people, with abundant opportunities to travel, research, perform, and create. Select the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in Programs of Study.
School of Health, Life Sciences, and Education
If you want to impact lives, start your journey here. The School of Health, Life Sciences, and Education produces tomorrow’s leaders in healthcare, education, science, research, and environmental issues. Your professors will encourage you inside and outside the classroom and open doors for your future. You’ll learn by doing in real-world settings, gaining practical skills to allow you to contribute to a better world on day one. Select the School of Health, Life Sciences, and Education in Programs of Study.
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
If you want to tackle problems and harness technology, start your journey here. The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences produces in-demand mathematicians, chemists, scientists, researchers, and skilled professionals in construction and manufacturing. Small classes and individualized attention from caring professors will enable you to thrive and grow personally and professionally. You’ll master your subject area with rigorous academics and labs, and through internships, field work, travel, and regional and national competitions. Select the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences in Programs of Study.Estimate your total cost to attend Ohio Northern University
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NEWS
Endowing a legacy
Alumni gift fully endows ONU track and field fund in honor of Coach Jason Maus.
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Serving our Neighbors
ONU Law participates in a collaborative effort to combat attorney shortages in rural Northwest Ohio.
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Being “hero support”
Three distinguished appointments expand the reach of Dean Stacey Lowery Bretz.
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Step up to the plate
ONU launches campaign to upgrade its baseball facility for future generations of Polar Bears.
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The road less traveled
After an adventurous 50-year career, an ONU alumnus shifts his focus to what matters most—giving back.
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The blueprint for a better life
ONU philosophy professor publishes a book on character and moral virtue.
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Raising the bar
Student-athlete Avery Baker-Schlendering wins the national title in the high jump.
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Love, loss, and “The D8tes”
Back by ONU’s supportive theatre community, Jessica Sanders, BFA ’26, brought her first musical to stage.
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Commencement 2026: Polar Bears ready to lead
ONU’s Class of 2026 embarks on the next chapter.
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Engineering a smooth ride
ONU STEM program equips local children with new bikes and engineering skills.
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Aug.
24
Fall Semester Begins: Full-Term
Fall Semester begins including full-term, Law, and Master's 1st part-of-term.
Read More- Sep.01
Last Day to Add a Class {full-term}
Last day to add a course section for full-term…
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Dean's Office Staff Listing
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Dr. Thomas Barbee
Retired Senior Research Associate, ExxonMobil CorporationMr. James Cates
Retired Senior Executive, I.B.M. CorporationMrs. Stephanie (Spirer) Crandall
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, City of Fort WayneDr. Peter Haase
Veterinarian, Care Animal HospitalMs. Monica Ramsey
Director of Exhibits and Interactive Media, Children’s Museum of IndianapolisDr. Tyler Koschnick
President, SePRO CorporationMs. Christie McConnell
Unscripted TV Executive/ProducerMr. R. Scott Miller
Senior Adviser Leadership Academy, Center for Strategic and International StudiesMs. Lynn Moomaw
Director of Operations and Adult Education, Wayne County Career CenterMr. Steven K. Nord
Partner, Offutt Nord Burchett PLLCMs. Angela Phares
Medical Physicist, Universal Consultants Inc.Mr. Michael Roediger
Director and CEO, Dayton Art InstituteMr. Mark Schloemer
External Relations Director, State Auto InsuranceMs. Allison Stinger
Director of Development, The Montgomery School
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Getty College of Arts & Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse college at ONU. To make finding your path easy, we organize our programs into three specialized schools:
- School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: Focused on fields like musical theatre, history, creative writing, and political science.
- School of Health, Life Sciences, and Education: Preparing future leaders in nursing, exercise physiology, biology, and teacher licensure.
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences: Home to rigorous programs in chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, and construction management.
- Actionable Tip: Visit our Getty College of Arts & Sciences page to browse our majors and see which specific school matches your long-term dreams.
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Our graduates are incredibly successful in the workforce and graduate school. Recent data shows an exceptional 93% career placement rate within six months of graduation. Because we combine a foundational liberal arts education with practical, professional preparation, our alumni stand out to employers as versatile critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and excellent communicators.
- Actionable Tip: Reach out to our admissions team to read alumni success stories or get connected with a graduate who went into your desired field.
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Absolutely! Unlike large research institutions where advanced laboratory equipment is reserved exclusively for graduate students, ONU puts our world-class facilities directly in the hands of undergraduates. You will receive hands-on training on advanced tools, like our nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. You will work side-by-side with faculty on real research and even get opportunities to present at national conferences.
- Actionable Tip: Schedule a campus tour of the Mathile Center for Natural Sciences to see our student-centered laboratories and undergraduate research hubs firsthand.
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We bring the professional industry straight to campus. Every year, ONU hosts more than 30 established guest artists and industry professionals—including Tony Award-winning actors, directors, designers, and musicians—for intimate master classes and workshops. Additionally, our students participate in an average of six fully produced theatrical productions and multiple juried art exhibitions annually, while our vocal and instrumental ensembles frequently embark on major national and international tours.
- Actionable Tip: Check the Freed Center for the Performing Arts calendar during your campus visit to catch a live show or student exhibition.
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Yes! For students interested in a legal career, we offer a highly competitive 3+3 legal program. This unique pathway allows qualified majors in political science, criminal justice, history, or English to complete both their undergraduate degree and their Juris Doctor (JD) from the ONU Pettit College of Law in just six years instead of seven. This saves you an entire year of tuition and gets you into the legal workforce faster.
- Actionable Tip: If you are a high school student planning your application, ask your admissions counselor about the specific eligibility requirements for the 3+3 law track.
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Yes. Students in the College of Arts & Sciences can choose to study abroad for a full semester, a summer term, or join faculty-led summer trips to destinations across Europe, Asia, and South America without delaying their graduation timeline. We also feature specialized international partnerships, such as art exchange programs with prestigious schools in Northern Ireland, England, and Italy.
- Actionable Tip: Review our study abroad grant and scholarship opportunities during your financial aid planning to see how accessible international travel can be.
Reach Past your Limits and Discover Unlimited Possibilities
If you’re ready to lead, you’ll find the opportunity here. And if you’re eager to learn, you’ll find a setting that prepares you for success. Hands-on learning, internships, mentorships and student-guided research projects are essential parts of every Polar Bear’s journey through the College of Arts & Sciences.Success is yours to create. We’ll help you shape it.